tony b

Call me Ishmael!

I also own a Meater (original and + versions) - I was an original backer in their Kickstarter campaign (long story, not worth repeating). It's the only probe of its kind on the market - no probe wires! Only thing you can use remotely while doing a rotisserie cook. The + version solved the short range issue with the original, using the same setup as the Block. Block is in production now, I believe. I have a Guru (it's in actual use as I type this). LOVE IT! Great peace of mind on very long cooks. The new version of the Maverick (XR-50) it a HUGE improvement over the original versions. Much easier to setup and has multiple probes (2 meat, 2 grill). I use it as my main temperature only device.

First off, an "up front" welcome to the Obsession! You won't regret whichever size you finally decide upon. As noted, the gas attachment isn't for cooking, but to just jumpstart heating up the grill. Most of us never bought it and have had to retrofit the rear door to prevent leaks. Dennis has stopped making the rear door a default feature - it's a special order now. I own a 23" and can easily cook for a dinner party of 8 people. If you plan to entertain more folks than that on a regular basis (more than a couple of times a year), the 32" would probably be a better fit for your situation. As you noted, $1500 will buy a lot of meat and charcoal (and/or a cold smoker, Guru, pizza stone, rotisserie, etc.!!)

No advice on whether to keep or sell the 23", but I can wholeheartedly endorse retirement!! I'm into my 6th year and have never looked back!!

Point taken, Robert, but don't forget about the tiles! Just sayin'

I'm in the person that gave it the name Purple Crack after I tried it - the stuff is addictive!! I put it on a lot of stuff and the purple color can be cool sometimes, like on eggs! or on a chicken!

I'm about to put a rack of ribs on with my Guru already set up and going. Second all the other spot-on advice - bottom vents fully closed, top vent just barely off the gasket (open it just enough to see smoke wisps). I close the Guru port 1/2 way, as I've found if there's much of a breeze (pretty calm here right now) that a fully open fan vent can allow vacuum drag across the top vent to suck in enough air to overshoot a low temp setting. As Robert says, make the fan do all the work! Charles, I used to use a similar car jumpstart 12v rechargeable battery to run my Guru, as it had a "cigarette lighter" port on the side that I could plug the Guru adapter into. Then, I got the cold smoker and needed straight up 120V to run the aquarium pump. Then I ran an extension cord from an outside electrical box under my deck to the corner where the KK is, so I can just plug everything in there now.

OOPS - the link doesn't work??

Kemi, you are baaad, gurl!

As Charles (ckreef) noted, the reduced airflow for the same temperature is the key here - there is no "bypass" airflow in the KK, as opposed to other ceramic grill designs. ALL the air flows through the firebox, so less airflow through the grill overall for the same temperature. Charles did an experiment a number of years ago intentionally trying to dry out a whole chicken in the KK - couldn't do it, short of incinerating the bird into charcoal! I've owned 2 other ceramic grill designs and have cooked a number of times on a BGE - sorry, no comparison! Plus, my favorite thing about the KK over the BGE - Dennis doesn't nickel & dime you over basically essential accessories - everything you need to do most cooks is included. The handful of accessories are just that - accessories - pizza stone, rotisserie rod/baskets, cold smoker. Jump on in the deep end of the pool - you won't regret it!

All of the above have worked in the past - especially a compensating expensive gift of the spouse's choosing!

You know that the real solution to this "problem" is to build yourself a cast iron smoker pot.

To the best of my knowledge, after almost 7 years on the Forum, no one has gotten divorced over buying a KK - just sayin'!!

Thanks for the update. Curious as to how it cooks and how long it burns.

I feel so special!

Same here. I just tried to upload a picture here as a test and got the same error message as MacKenzie.

We here to offer advice on accessories and other things, as well. Example, load up that pallet will all the boxes of cocochar, coffee charcoal and coffee wood that will fit. Cheapest shipping per box you'll ever get!

There are NO cons to a KK - it's simply the best grill of it's kind. Pricey, yes, but you get what you pay for! Hope you see your way clear to get one; you won't regret it once it arrives. Looking forward to officially welcoming you to The Obsession! (btw - don't listen to Robert - autumn gold flake is the best color!)

Please do, as it doesn't show up in the Naked Whiz's database.

Indeed!

That would be great. @CeramicChef Ken, if you're out there lurking - we miss you buddy and want you to come back and be active in the Forum again!!

Well done!