Calling any/all Kamado Cermic Grill Owners (NOT BGE owners)

[BarbeForte]

A colleague told me she saw this at Costco (I assume it's the same brand) told me she wasn't impressed by the grill when she played with it, in terms of quality and thickness of ceramics. We both have a Kamado Joe.

I cannot say anything about it as I haven't seen it.

That being said, it's $500 cheaper than a Kamado Joe so they had to cut something somewhere! It would be hard to lose $550 but it's not a disaster, especially if it lasts you 5-10 years then you ended up paying the same as a gas grill for the same product life.

I know the big brands will last a lifetime (BGE, Primo, KJ, etc.)

[Profoodaddict]

A colleague told me she saw this at Costco (I assume it's the same brand) told me she wasn't impressed by the grill when she played with it, in terms of quality and thickness of ceramics. We both have a Kamado Joe.

I cannot say anything about it as I haven't seen it.

That being said, it's $500 cheaper than a Kamado Joe so they had to cut something somewhere! It would be hard to lose $550 but it's not a disaster, especially if it lasts you 5-10 years then you ended up paying the same as a gas grill for the same product life.

I know the big brands will last a lifetime (BGE, Primo, KJ, etc.)

It sounds like though that Vision will be upgrading their warranty policies to similiar style warranties that the more established brands have. That said, I don't think there really is any fear so long as this is purchased via Costco. If local hardware store was selling it for the $399, until Vision actually had their new warranties in place I agree, I wouldn't risk tossing my money aside. However, as said with Costco's policy that protects its members, I'll pay $399 to cook on it and if it turns out to split in half alongside my Primo, I'll just take it back.

[brucered]

It sounds like though that Vision will be upgrading their warranty policies to similiar style warranties that the more established brands have. That said, I don't think there really is any fear so long as this is purchased via Costco. If local hardware store was selling it for the $399, until Vision actually had their new warranties in place I agree, I wouldn't risk tossing my money aside. However, as said with Costco's policy that protects its members, I'll pay $399 to cook on it and if it turns out to split in half alongside my Primo, I'll just take it back.

with Costco..it doesn't have to be within 30 days, as long as your city has them in stock....i had this battle with them a few years ago on a lawnmower....for $150, i'd head back, but i just phoned my local Costco and they are still selling them at $549 (i guess they are selling better here then in other cities, they only had 1 display left and it was the same price).

for comparisson with a local supplier of BGE in canada in my city, i emailed and got a quote on the Large BGE with wheel nest and side table (no cover) and they wanted $1359 for it, so almost triple (X3) the cost of the costco vision kamado.

i don't think they are trying to BLOW them out because they are junk, i think they want them out of the store before winter, as they will not sell or display them in the winter.

so i just measured the inside ceramic bowl where the grate rests (fire ring) of my Vision Kamado with a digital caliper and it measures 23.45mm or 0.923inches. i measured 2x with a digital caliper, both times in different spots, but made sure the calipers were parallel to the ceramic and straight and came up with the same reading.

can a Kamado Joe, BGE or Primo owner please measure the inside, so we can see what the difference in thickness is.

[brucered]

so i had another B&B member measure their BGE, and here are their results:

Small BGE was 3/4" (19.05 mm) on the fire ring, where the grate normally rests.

[Profoodaddict]

I don't have a ruler or any sort if measuring device to check my Primo XL. What I did manage to find on Primo's website was that the Oval Jr is 3/4" So it looks like Vision's ceramic thickness is better despite the claims of others.

[brucered]

I don't have a ruler or any sort if measuring device to check my Primo XL. What I did manage to find on Primo's website was that the Oval Jr is 3/4" So it looks like Vision's ceramic thickness is better despite the claims of others.

all i was trying to say to all the people claiming and stating "the vision ceramic is too thin....my buddy says it looks like crap.....it's only $500 so they have to cut corners somewhere" etc, is......it's a good grill at a great price.

the hardware (hinges) are solid, the ceramic is just as thick or thicker then some others, the table is very nice, the stand is also rock solid, the cover is sweet and the best part.....it's only $550 and comes with COSTCO's lifetime walk away if it's crap or falls apart warranty.

again, that said....if i could justify or had the funds for a BGE, PRIMO or JOE, i'd have jumped (i almost typed "humped") on one in a heartbeat....but with 2 kids, house, car payment, dog and wife who took a cut in hours to stay home with our kids, there is no way i can right now. so if this one gets me interested (which it has already), when the time comes (i'm only 38) and the VISION finally breaks down and they will no longer warranty it (they might forever they way they have talked to me and are hinting at), i'll be more then willing to spend the $1500-$2000 on a major player int he ceramic market....and that's only if i need to and find out it's worth the 3X the price.

if this $550 grill lasts me 5y, i'll be extatic....i won't ask costco for my money back as that's a good lifespan for a BBQ, i'm realistic with the warranty, but if it breaks apart, cracks all over the place in a year or 2 and VISION doesn't help me, then it'll be going back to costco for all my money back, at which time i'll look for a good price on an upgrade.

Ceramic Cookers are definetly the way to go, i can see that after only 5-6 cooks. pizza, chicken, ribs, steak...everything tastes better and they are much easier to control.

thanks to everyone for their input no the grills, the comparissons and help (especially BOB S) who has helped me tremendously with cooking tips, advise, links etc. now head on over the the THIN BLUE SMOKE THREAD and post some food/grilling pics.

mods can close this thread, before we start a VISION vs BGE vs JOE discussion that gets out of hand. if people want to start a true CERAMIC COOKER thread, i'd be more the happy to measure, test, take pics etc of the VISION for comparrison, at which time anyone can slam any grill they want.

bottom line....i LOVE the cooker, it works great and was a steal at costco for $550 is you ask me...and because i purchased it, that's all that matters.

[Profoodaddict]

brucered, I think it's fantastic that people will be introduced to the world of ceramic BBQ grilling and smoking! I'm going to pick one up today or tomorrow (lucky as it's $399 :) and I called my 75yr old uncle and he's going to get one too at that price. I'm telling all my friends because while most would never pay for any type of BBQ in the $1000 plus range, at the price of $399-549 they could easily justify that. Anyhow, thanks for sharing what you have here and elsewhere. There is hardly anything online with real owners talking about their purchase. Having stumbled across your review and thoughts helped me with my decision.

[junkhouse]

Can you tell me which Costco in Van and how many were left? Thanks.

[BarbeForte]

I'll try to think to measure the KJ tonight, but I don't think the thickness has much to do with cracking as much as the types/quality of the ceramics but I might be wrong.

Like I said, if this thing lasts one full year (the biggest risk will be to use it in very cold weather, like putting hot charcoal from a chimney in a -30C grill) I think you'll be safe. Maybe my colleague saw one that was poorly assembled or damaged by the too many people playing with it in the store, I'm just saying she had a bad impression. I cannot say if it's good or not, I haven't seen it and I do not have the knowledge to study the ceramics and make tests. I have to go to Costco soon I'll have a look if they have it in stock.

But basically, if it doesn't crack soon, I don't see why it would crack in a couple of years. Some people with the old clay Kamados still have them 30 years later, so I believe that even cheap ceramics should outlast a clay cooker.

Anyways, on sale at $400 from a national retailer, I would definitely take the risk. I took a risk with KJ, who knows if they'll still be in business in 2-3 years?

[Profoodaddict]

Can you tell me which Costco in Van and how many were left? Thanks.

Hi there, I saw them at the Willingdon Costco over a week ago initially, and at Surrey on Saturday they still had 11 left. I'm going there in the next 30 mins to check and will ask them to check the whole lower mainland stores for me lol

[Profoodaddict]

Ok there are over 60 units left in the various Costcos locally. The lowest number being 6 in Langley and highest 15 in Abbotsford.

[brucered]

Ok there are over 60 units left in the various Costcos locally. The lowest number being 6 in Langley and highest 15 in Abbotsford.

only a couple left in Winnipeg Manitoba...all still $549 and they are all at 1 store...i'll keep phoning ever couple of days to see if the price drops and go in for a price adjustment.

[Profoodaddict]

only a couple left in Winnipeg Manitoba...all still $549 and they are all at 1 store...i'll keep phoning ever couple of days to see if the price drops and go in for a price adjustment.

This makes sense then. I sent an email to Vision and the VP replied back to me promptly. She mentioned that Costco is the first big company to introduce their ceramic into Canada and other than Vancouver receiving the Vision Kamados so late I the season Costco reports 70% sell through. I'm now thinking that for British Columbia, the only reason why we have so many left is because we received them much later. That will explain why there is no price drop in other provinces because the stock is so low at this point compared to what I found out today. That said...my friends at Costco have said that when stock comes down to the last remaining few or floor models they often price drop those. In my case I think I'm going to buy 2 of them at this price. It's too late for me to use them at this weekend competition, but being able to use them at future competitions would be fantastic. In a world of BGEs, Primos (keeping mine at home), KJ's etc at comps, it'd be cool to be one of the first to use a Vision Kamado and represent with that.

[brucered]

sounds good Profoodaddict.....

there are a couple mods you can do, one of which i've already done.....the bottom vent let out a bit of smoke/heat in between the plate and the ceramic...some have suggested removing it and appying hi-heat silicone, or using duct tape to seal off the escaping and entering air.....i went with BLK duct tape and just put a small piece around the outside, and the last couple cooks have been much much easier to control low temps and reducing flare ups and temp spikes also lowered much more quickly.

only time i get temp spikes or jumps, is when opening and letting all the air/oxygen in while i'm basting or applying bbq sauce, otherwise it holds temps quite well.

keep us posted on how it works out if you buy one.

i just started a CERAMIC COOKER thread, and if there is enough interest, maybe we can get it STICKY'd

[HRSmoker]

I just wanted to add that Costco is again carrying these this grilling season. I just picked one up the other day and have spent a few days educating myself about ceramic cookers (I was just about to pull the trigger on a Weber Smokey Mountain bullet smoker when I saw this at Costco...I had minimal knowledge of ceramic cookers, but after reading about the superior flexibility I switched from buying the Weber to buying the Vision Kamado).

In the course of learning about these, I saw lots of BGE owners talking about their plate setters. I emailed Vision Grills to ask if the BGE plate setter would fit. I emailed at 7:00 am Saturday morning and got a response back from a Vice-President at 7:45. She and I emailed back and forth several times during the day Saturday and she was extremely helpful. Vision makes a round volcanic cooking stone that they sell on Home Depot's website for $50. Though the description doesn't say it, the stone comes with a rack that fits around the fire box and allows the stone to hang down several inches below the grilling surface and just over the coals, very much replicating the effect of the BGE plate setter (from what I've seen in pictures of the BGE anyway). As an added bonus, the volcanic stone can be seasoned with oil like cast iron cookware and after a few seasonings becomes basically non-stick. I've only seasoned it once so far, but if that works I think it might add another lay of flexibility to this particular ceramic cooker.

[brucered]

thanks for the info HR.

i never understood what i'd use a place setter for or why i'd need one.

2nd year now with my Vision Kamado and i've never once needed something like this. when i cook pizza, i just use my Pizza Stone directly on the SS grates.

can someone shed some light as to what the plate setter does and why they are needed with ceramic cookers.

my chicken, burgers, chops, ribs, kabobs all turn out great as is.

[Rughi]

...can someone shed some light as to what the plate setter does and why they are needed with ceramic cookers...

The plate setter insures indirect cooking. It eliminates hot spots, flare ups, and helps the convective air currents to circulate around the food top, side and bottom.

Not using it makes the egg cook more like a kettle grill - which can also be excellent.

Roger

[brucered]

The plate setter insures indirect cooking. It eliminates hot spots, flare ups, and helps the convective air currents to circulate around the food top, side and bottom.

Not using it makes the egg cook more like a kettle grill - which can also be excellent.

Roger

good to know, i'll look in to one then.

the Vision one spoken above, just looks like a "cerarmic pizza stone", it sounds like it comes with a wire hanging rack, but i'm not seeing much of a benefit to this $50 volcanic one, against my $10 pizza stone. unless the ceramic pizza stone would crack, but i don't see why it would.

[global_dev]

bruce, in my primo, when i cook pizza, i get the the pizza stone as high as I can. seems to work well for the style of pizza i like to cook whic his more neapolitan style than flat crust

[brucered]

bruce, in my primo, when i cook pizza, i get the the pizza stone as high as I can. seems to work well for the style of pizza i like to cook whic his more neapolitan style than flat crust

i do the same. i use the top tier for my pizza and put the stone on there. i'm just wondering if it's worth my while to get a plate setter or just put a pizza stone on the lower rack to use it as an indirect deflector, which is what the purpose of the plate setter seems to be.