The Ceramic Cooker Thread

**brucered** · 09-13-2011, 04:38 PM

Post your Ceramic Cooker grilled/ smoke successes and failures! Got a low and slow question or ceramic questions, post away!

BGE, KAMODO, PRIMO, VISION, DIY, doesn't matter....

Post your pics and your questions here.

Here is my Vision from Costco.

**brucered** · 09-13-2011, 04:43 PM

a couple of resources i've been using:

TIM M's Ceramic site
IRON PIG, reverse sear for steaks
BBQ BRETHREN thread on the VISION kamado
EGG HEAD thread of keeping low temps on a BGE
BBQ SOURCE forum...been on here for a fears now for my NG grill and my now passed on Weber Kettle

a couple of my meals:
PIZZA

RIBS

STEAK

**Profoodaddict** · 09-13-2011, 08:19 PM

Looks great! I really want one for pizzas. The round shape of the Kamado will be better I think for round pizzas. I found that when I made large pizzas for my primo oval the north and south sides would cook faster than the rest. Likewise the pizza you made looks fantastic and I can wait to try it out.

**DS/B MCS** · 09-14-2011, 05:35 AM

We have both the Medium and Large Big Green Eggs. Here is a picture from last night of some wings smoking away.

Pizza

Chili

Ribs

Pork Butt

**maxzoran** · 09-14-2011, 05:40 AM

Damn I want one of these! Which one is the most affordable?

**DS/B MCS** · 09-14-2011, 06:33 AM

Originally Posted by maxzoran

Damn I want one of these! Which one is the most affordable?

Depends on if you buy new or used. I have about 1/2 dozen friends that have bought BGE's off Craigslist and got excellent deals. My brother (from another Mother) has the same set-up as mine (Medium and Large eggs) that were purchased off CL for less than $1000.00 total. We purchased our Large BGE and custom table new, so they were expensive. However, we picked up the Medium off CL for $275.00 (w/eggcessories). Lots of good deals on CL, but you need to be quick on the draw becasue they don't sit very long in our area. Based on my experience, I wouldn't even consider buying new again, since there are so many deals on used ceramic cookers. Sooner or later I'll find a Primo Oval XL on CL...and I'll be done.

**linty** · 09-14-2011, 08:23 AM

I've had my Kamado Joe since the beginning of July. Cooking about twice a week, mainly steaks, (spatchcock) chicken and grilling veggies. But have also done burgers, ribs, corn, pork chops. Need to try pizza and a pork butt soon. Picked up a set of Grill Grates that work really well, a Looftlighter and Thermopen. Debating about the iGrill. Love gadgets

**brucered** · 09-14-2011, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by linty

I've had my Kamado Joe since the beginning of July. Cooking about twice a week, mainly steaks, (spatchcock) chicken and grilling veggies. But have also done burgers, ribs, corn, pork chops. Need to try pizza and a pork butt soon. Picked up a set of Grill Grates that work really well, a Looftlighter and Thermopen. Debating about the iGrill. Love gadgets

how does the THERMOPEN work? i've often wondered if it's worth the $100 upgrade over my Taylor Instant Read, which takes 10-15sec to come up to temps for chicken etc.

i've almost gotten to the point, where i don't use it as i can usually tell by the look and feel of the meat by pressing my tongs on it.

**garyg** · 09-14-2011, 02:45 PM

Great idea for a thread! I bought my Large Big Green Egg last October, it got more winter use than the TEC it replaced. I've done ribs, chickens (whole, spatchcocked & pieces parts), steaks & chops, fish, pizza, the usual assortment of tube steaks, veggies, and turkey breast. The only downside I have found is that it is difficult (or maybe I haven't figured it out?) to get nice crispy skin on the outside of the wonderfully juicy chicken parts. The whole turkey breasts come out bronzed to perfection, but it obviously they're on a lot longer. In the decent weather I use it at least every other day, maybe more.

I got an alternative Therma-Pen, CDN brand, that was quite a bit less expensive & seems to work well (have had it since before the Egg).

I look forward to some tips & recipes from the more experienced Komodo folks.

**linty** · 09-14-2011, 03:28 PM

thermopen works really well. maybe a couple of seconds to get a temp. really nice for steaks I find. There was a sale on returns that Thermoworks posted on FB that carried the same full warranty for $20 less than retail, so I picked one up and grabbed a couple as gifts.

I like it much better than the old analogue one I was using. Price won't make it attractive for everyone though

**linty** · 09-14-2011, 03:31 PM

The Nakedwhiz commented that to get crispier skin, let the bird dry out in the fridge before cooking. I haven't tried it myself, I find the skin plenty crispy for my tastes usually.

Originally Posted by garyg

Great idea for a thread! I bought my Large Big Green Egg last October, it got more winter use than the TEC it replaced. I've done ribs, chickens (whole, spatchcocked & pieces parts), steaks & chops, fish, pizza, the usual assortment of tube steaks, veggies, and turkey breast. The only downside I have found is that it is difficult (or maybe I haven't figured it out?) to get nice crispy skin on the outside of the wonderfully juicy chicken parts. The whole turkey breasts come out bronzed to perfection, but it obviously they're on a lot longer. In the decent weather I use it at least every other day, maybe more.

I got an alternative Therma-Pen, CDN brand, that was quite a bit less expensive & seems to work well (have had it since before the Egg).

I look forward to some tips & recipes from the more experienced Komodo folks.

**BarbeForte** · 09-14-2011, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by DS/B MCS

Depends on if you buy new or used. I have about 1/2 dozen friends that have bought BGE's off Craigslist and got excellent deals. My brother (from another Mother) has the same set-up as mine (Medium and Large eggs) that were purchased off CL for less than $1000.00 total. We purchased our Large BGE and custom table new, so they were expensive. However, we picked up the Medium off CL for $275.00 (w/eggcessories). Lots of good deals on CL, but you need to be quick on the draw becasue they don't sit very long in our area. Based on my experience, I wouldn't even consider buying new again, since there are so many deals on used ceramic cookers. Sooner or later I'll find a Primo Oval XL on CL...and I'll be done.

That's strange as most often BGE owners keep their grills! I've been watching Kijiji and Craigslist for 2 years and the only time an actual BGE came up, it was a medium and the guy asked $100 less than retail... plenty of cheap ripoffs for $300 though.

So I had to buy brand new. KJ it was.

**brucered** · 09-14-2011, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by BarbeForte

That's strange as most often BGE owners keep their grills! I've been watching Kijiji and Craigslist for 2 years and the only time an actual BGE came up, it was a medium and the guy asked $100 less than retail... plenty of cheap ripoffs for $300 though.

So I had to buy brand new. KJ it was.

yup, i figured you were in canada with the avatar (then i saw your location)....i've had a WTB weber WSM thread up for 3-4y now, no offers...i search for it weekly as well as BGE and ceramic cookers, nothing at all, ever.

**brucered** · 03-03-2012, 07:47 AM

Large BGE at costco in canada now...so hopefully some of us Canadian (not me) will be able to pick one up. i believe they are $899 and even $799 at some locations.

my Vision is fine for me, and not worth a $400 upgrade if you ask em...but for those that missed out on the Vision last year, now is your chance on a real BGE at a great price.

see posting on RFD about the deal here: BGE

not post some more Ceramic Cooker food pics...

**BarbeForte** · 03-04-2012, 08:20 AM

It is a good deal especially compared to Canadian pricing for a BGE. It seems however (and it's the big thing on Facebook and Eggheads, etc. these days!) that BGE has not authorized its sell at Costco and they're not going to offer their warranty on these.

I assume Costco struck a deal with a distributor who will be in serious trouble soon!

They also sell the Medium BGE at Costco in the States (probably not at all locations) as per this thread: http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1...-mbge-for-sale