Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer General Forum School me on Komodo grills

My pellet grill is down for repairs and I'm looking hard at a komodo / ceramic / egg type grill.

After researching a little I've narrowed my search to the Komodo Joe 18 inch. Any other grills yall know of around the 650 price point that can hang ?

I have a vision komado from Sam’s and it has been excellent

I don't know about some of the others, but I have a Kamado Joe and I would get it just for the warranty. Lifetime on the ceramics. Mine is 10 years old and the base got a hairline crack. I submitted the claim and because they only make red now, (mine is black0, they sent me a brand new red dome as well. It took about 6-8 weeks but this was in the spring and covid was ramping up so I was ok with the wait. I'm still cooking on my black one and have the new dome/base waiting until the crack in mines gets to where it's not usable.

Looked at one in Academy today. What's up with all the electronics on those ? Too much ? Or do you actually use all of the gadgets ?

What causes cracks ? Overheating ?

I guess. I think they all crack at some point in their life from normal use

Where are you getting a Kamdo Joe for $650?

Amazon That's before tax but still about 100 cheaper than anywhere else I can find for that model. The classic 1

Yep, I think that's a "when", not an "if". Now, I'm not sure if it's just "part of it" or if it's user-error. I think for a lot of folks it's from overheating it, but don't know for sure. I know that every person I know with one has gotten a crack in it sooner or later.

I got a classic 2. Almost a year in and so far so good. It’s hard to beat once you get it dialed in.

My old metal grill couldn’t hold heat well if it was windy and/or cold outside. So far the Kamado joe’s hasn’t had the issue.

Worst part is just having to give it 15-20 min to heat up. I just put a fire starter on and finish up a tv show or prepping the food. It’s usually to temp by the time I go back out.

No electronics on mine. Just an ash tray and upper and lower vents. Came with a cover and a second level grill grate, no electronics at all.

I think they’re made in China.

I've had two of them and they are great. I had one at the cabin and one at my house in Trussville. I sold the one at the house in Trussville to one of my buddies up here at the cabin and he loves it.

I can't say enough about how much I like them and how much good food I have cooked on them.

Primo made in the USA end of discussion.

There are three brands of kamado grills to consider. 1. big green egg 2. Primo 3. Kamodo Joe. Everything else in the Kamado is subpar in my opinion. I have a Kamado Joe and it’s been the best money I’ve ever spent on a grill. If you can find a classic 1 that’s your best deal. The new ones are way more expensive and I would buy which ever one of those three you can get the best deal on.

I love my Kamado Joe Classic 2. It will hold a temp for sure for longer hours than i thought possible. Very impressive.

I had a BGE for years. It finally cracked and they did not cover my so-called warranty. After the 2 nd attempt I was told I had to have the original receipt which I did not.
BGE are good but I have a sore spot over this deal. I also had to pay shipping on the last fire box replacement on my egg. 175 but they thru in a bag of lump too


Im looking at them again as I suspect my pellet grill will crap out sooner than later.
Primos XL Oval and Kamado Joe 3 24” has my attention. It’s pretty stout price but I’m hoping it will last us a while. I do like the kamado over the pellet grill although startup is so easy on the pellet grill

I keep bouncing back to the cook shack pellet grill as it appears to give the advantages of both the Kamado and a pellet.

The System of the Kamado Joe is what has my attention. It is made in China which is hard to stomach and why I haven’t pulled the trigger on it.

Carter,
Not sure who you talked to at BGE; but the inside lower firebox on my 20-25 year old BGE cracked. They asked me to send pics and warrantied the replacement; no questions asked. I had a choice of waiting on local dealer to get delivery and pick up or pay $25 shipping and get immediately. They also replaced the lower grate, even though they only have a one year warranty.
My experience was great with them.
Corresponded with a guy name Bruce; top notch.

I talked to local dealers in the Shoals. The guy I bought it from switched to selling Primos a few years after I got mine. He closed up a few years later. I had other dealers replace the firebox during the years. The last firebox I had to pay shipping on. I was at another dealers business and mentioned the cracked bottom. He said take a pic and bring it by. I did and that was when he informed about having to have the original receipt is what he was told when he checked on it. He apologized on and on about it but he’s said that was the new policy.

He knew I would buy more BGE supplies so he tried. He also is a very established owner of numerous businesses so he knew what he was doing.

I probably should’ve gone to another place I was told to check with. Instead I punted and got a pellet grill on a whim while at Lowe’s.

Maybe I should’ve called the company directly

I will say comparing the pellet to the Kamado style. The Kamado style seems to keep more moisture in the food and it did hold temps well. Even in really cold weather it wasn’t a problem. The cracked bottom did keep it from getting really hot. Searing a steak on it was easy and very tasty.