Leaderboard

I started out with a medium BGE around 25 years ago and used it for low and show cooks. I liked it week enough that I sold it and upgraded to a large BGE to get more space. I had all kinds of problems with the large one - couldn't manage temps, couldn't manage a low and slow cook without running out of charcoal, needed a deflector, detached feet cracking, etc. Granted, I didn't spend enough time learning to use it but after my success with the medium one, I was very frustrated and I just stopped using it. I also started having back issues that caused sciatica and since the BGE was downstairs and my kitchen is upstairs, going up and down the steps to manage it was getting more and more difficult. When I decided to have the deck that's convenient to the kitchen rebuilt (including having it roofed and screened in), I wanted to make outdoor cooking more convenient so had a "grill wing" added to the deck that isn't roofed in and got a Weber summit gas grill with a built-in smoker box. I thought the smoker box would serve my smoking desires but was disappointed in the results - that got me looking at kamados again. I hoped to find one that was as large or larger than the large BGE but had a door at the firebox level to add fuel if needed since I really didn't like having to take the food and grates out of the BGE to add charcoal. I didn't find one, but the search lead my to the KK's and the hinged grates. After struggling with the price, I ordered a 23" ultimate (this was before the 32" models existed) to add to the grill wing. When it arrived, I was amazed at the improvement over the BGE in both quality and utility. All the issues I had with the BGE were addressed as I worked my way up the learning curve. My biggest lessons were not overshooting the target temp, making sure I did a good heat soak, and not overshooting the target temp. I listed overshooting twice because it was the hardest lesson for me to learn! Also, I've learned that the hinged grates aren't really needed for adding charcoal since even my longest cooks don't use a full basket, but they are handy for adding smoke wood. Moisture retention is far superior to the BGE and the firebox damper dial and infinitely adjustable top damper provide much smoother and better temp control. And of course, no deflector needed. The KK is also much better looking than the BGE; several folks have called it a "work of art." I look at it like I try to look at expensive tools - could I get similar results with a lower cost option? With the KK, the answer ranges from "maybe" to "yes" depending on what I'm cooking; I had some excellent results on my BGEs (mostly with the medium one), but I get similar and better results with the KK much easier and with less aggravation and stress. And at this stage in my life, I really appreciate less aggravation and stress and I really appreciate high quality, well designed tools. I do not regret getting my KK.

I started my kamado journey with a KK and I certainly have no regrets that I didn't do the BGE, Primo, Kamado Joe hop, skip and jump first. They are wonderful to cook and just sooo beautiful to look at.

Ok, I am convinced…just placed an order for 32” BB… now will begin the waiting…and selling other grilling stuff (keeping some…of course!)

👍 👍

I went from BGE to Primo to KK. BGE was good, I had lid issues every time I did a high heat cook. I hated having to adjust the lid all the time. the Primo was much nicer, it made the BGE feel like a toy in comparison. But with the Primo I had issues with the firebox design, they kept cracking, I went through 3. The KK is just in another league compared to those two. I love the BB32, I just go out and cook, I never have to worry about the lid or the firebox, I just enjoy it. I would never go back. And add me to the list of those that wish they had just bought the KK to begin with.