What Kamado Grill should I buy?

1. STAFF

   Paul Edmondsonposted 16 years ago

   What Kamado Grill should I buy?
   
   I think I'm going to buy a kamado barbecue.  They are expensive, but they will take wood as well as charcoal or gas.  There are a few brands of them. Kamado, Primo, Komodo, and Big Green Egg.  Which Kamado Grill should I buy?

   replyreport
2. 61

   danbr7777posted 16 years ago

   Just my humble opinion - I purchased a Big Green Egg about 2 months ago.  It is fantastic.  I have made Ribs (2 times), Pork Chops, Boston Butt, Brisket, jalapeno Poppers, twice baked potatoes and pizza (2 times).  Without exception, the food came out amazing.  I will be posting some photos and information about a number of my smoking and grilling experiences.  I have not met a single person yet that has regretted getting a Big Green Egg.
   
   Big warning.....It is addicting.

   replyreport
3. 48

   davidcbakerposted 16 years ago

   The Big Green Egg is a good choice if you are just getting into slow cooking or have a limited budget. They do a great job and are readily available. The drawback to the BGE is that is does not operate at as low a temperature as some of the others (Kamado and Komodo). The Primo appears to be similar to the BGE though I have no expereince with them.
   
   I "upgraded" to a Kamodo cooker and have had great success with it, even running it as low as 180 degrees for smoking salmon. Hard to get a BGE to run that low. However, I caution you to NOT buy a Kamodo cooker as the company does not operate faithfully any longer. The cookers are lower quality (now made in Indonesia) and the company will take your money and not send you yourcooker for many months, if at all. And do NOT order spare parts - I ordered $600 of spare parts in January of 2008 and still do not have them (July 2009). Emails and phone calls go unanswered. Many others have the same expereince - check out www.kamadofraudforum.org for the horror stories.
   
   The Komodo Kamado looks like a superior (but expensive) product. As a avid Kamado cooker user, being intimately familiar with the construction flaws in their cooker, it appears that the Komodo product fixes each and every one of them. After about 7 years of use, my Kamado is failing (leaking smoke THROUGH the ceramic tiles!) I plan on replacing it with a Komodo brand.

   replyreport
4. 65

   smokedbbq4uposted 15 years ago

   I'm a Primo Kamado Cooker Fan.  Though there is definitely a cult of the Big Green Egg out there, the Dragon Fire Kamado Smoker and Grill - for instance does a fine job. It'll likely run you a bit less than a Green Egg as well.

   replyreport
5. 57

   lumpposted 15 years ago

   As long as you buy a ceramic kamado at with more than an 1/2"  thick wall, you will be more than satisfied. My California Kamado offers a great kamado with an 18" grill, baffler and bread stone at an affordable price.
   
   To me there's nothing better than roasted meat and nothing does a better job than a kamado. I agree with Dan, it truly is addicting.

   replyreport
6. 61

   grillrepairposted 15 years ago

   Doesn't matter.  Primo is definitely the best and Big Green Egg the most popular and they started suing if anyone says where they are made.  Primo is made in the USA, rare as that is.  The newer dragon fire kamado has some cool features.  The bottom line s they are all going to do the same thing.  Te kamado design has not changed in two thousand years.  Some,like primo have a lot of very useful accessories.  some have great pricing.  the more expensive will have a great warranty, customer service and features.  but the cheaper ones will still cook the same.  I have used the bge and primo and the dragonfire but i own an import that was in my price range.  i get thank you cards for cooking the Thanksgiving turkey every year.  relatives fighting to get to my bird because of how great my cheap kamado smokes.

   replyreport
7. 60

   thomas devosposted 15 years ago

   hi Paul Edmondson,
      to buy one grill, to happily enjoy the grill,  i feel it is important that the grill should be easy to clean.
      you would not like to spent 30 minutes to cook and 60 minutes to clean it up.
      new grilleration grill with removable plates should become your choice, because clean those removable plates is a breeze.

   replyreport
8. 58

   smokenfireposted 14 years ago

   If you want the BEST..
   The only high quality Kamado is the Komodo Kamado.
   With over 80 lbs of 304 stainless and another 488lbs of refractory materials, insulation and tiles, it stands alone on the top.
   
   The BGE and Primo are only glazed ceramic pots with cheap powder painted components and weigh less than 150 lbs total
   
   Remember that with BGE and Primo you are also paying their distributers as a middle man.. They would cost less factory direct.
   
   You should not burn wood in any of them

   replyreport
9. 60

   mysteriousmavenposted 13 years ago

   It'll be helpful to look for user reviews and comparisons too on Amazon, Google and epinions.
   
   I think which one you should buy depends on a number of different factors, also considering what you are looking for in your grill and your priorities.

   replyreport
10. 60

    sammyp99posted 12 years ago

    I'm a Green Egg guy all the way. They're pretty pricey but the build quality and performance is great. I can't cook on any other grill now.

    replyreport