Tom Gordon 2 Posted November 5, 2020 Share Posted November 5, 2020 Hi everyone, I am just about ready to call the research done and buy my first Kamado grill (so much YouTube and reading about options). I am keen to read this forum about what I'm looking at (a BGE Large, KJ Classic II or III or the Big Joe II). I saw that people on here love the sloroller tech and charcoal basket on the Classic III, so I'm thinking that is the way to go. I found the thread talking about this, so just a few more hours of reading and I'll be good to buy. I've cooked a lot on propane BBQs and cannot wait to get into the charcoal Kamado-style! Cheers, Tom JeffieBoy 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Golf Griller 946 Posted November 5, 2020 Share Posted November 5, 2020 Welcome to the forum. After you make your kamado grill purchase look at John Setzler's book to help you shorten your learning curve. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Gordon 2 Posted November 5, 2020 Author Share Posted November 5, 2020 23 minutes ago, Golf Griller said: Welcome to the forum. After you make your kamado grill purchase look at John Setzler's book to help you shorten your learning curve. Thanks for this, it looks like it has lots of great tips and guidance. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
len440 429 Posted November 5, 2020 Share Posted November 5, 2020 Welcome that book will get of to a great start remember charcoal is different than gas bbq Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dogstar 35 Posted November 5, 2020 Share Posted November 5, 2020 1 hour ago, Tom Gordon said: I am just about ready to call the research done and buy my first Kamado grill. Hi Tom. Welcome to the forum. If you can swing it pricewise, I think either the KJ Classic III or Big Joe III would the model to purchase. But regardless, if you're accustomed only to a traditional gas BBQ, I'm sure you'll be very happy with your decision to purchase a Kamado. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Gordon 2 Posted November 5, 2020 Author Share Posted November 5, 2020 24 minutes ago, len440 said: Welcome that book will get of to a great start remember charcoal is different than gas bbq I've read a lot about the pitfalls and the learning curve and I'm looking forward to the challenge. Hopefully, there is more trial than error, but it's a process so I am thinking of sharing my mistakes/successes as I come across them. I've enjoyed reading other people's stories. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Gordon 2 Posted November 5, 2020 Author Share Posted November 5, 2020 16 minutes ago, Dogstar said: Hi Tom. Welcome to the forum. If you can swing it pricewise, I think either the KJ Classic III or Big Joe III would the model to purchase. But regardless, if you're accustomed only to a traditional gas BBQ, I'm sure you'll be very happy with your decision to purchase a Kamado. Thanks for the recommendation, I haven't seen the Big Joe III or Classic III in person yet, but I will definitely check them out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TKOBBQ 5,805 Posted November 5, 2020 Share Posted November 5, 2020 Welcome to the Guru there are a lot of great people and information around here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Gordon 2 Posted November 5, 2020 Author Share Posted November 5, 2020 2 hours ago, TKOBBQ said: Welcome to the Guru there are a lot of great people and information around here. Thanks for the welcome! I have only just started reading the threads and already I have found a lot of helpful stories, facts, fixes etc. I'm looking forward to adding some experiences of my own in good time. TKOBBQ 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
retfr8flyr 1,596 Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 Welcome to the forum! How many people do you usually cook for, this has a big influence on getting the Classic or Big Joe. As stated, if you can swing it the III is the way to go. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Gordon 2 Posted November 6, 2020 Author Share Posted November 6, 2020 1 hour ago, retfr8flyr said: Welcome to the forum! How many people do you usually cook for, this has a big influence on getting the Classic or Big Joe. As stated, if you can swing it the III is the way to go. Good point, we would cook for about 15 (as a party), but more regularly about 4-6. I'd be keen to hear your thoughts on how much can actually be cooked on the systems. Also, how much would you want to cook/manage at the same time? As a new griller, naturally I won't be too ambitious at first, but I intend on having the grill for a long time and will expand. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dogstar 35 Posted November 7, 2020 Share Posted November 7, 2020 I have a KJ Classic III. 4-6 eaters are no problem with a Classic III. I easily cook 2 rib racks on the grill, or 3 rib racks with a rib rack holder. I also have the JoeTisserie. I cook 2 chickens there on the rotissserie, or spatchcocked (on the grill), with no problem. Every thing I just mentioned is single grill level food. But for many cooks, you can use multiple grill levels at the same time - nearly double the rack space. And cooking some things earlier and letting them sit for a bit is often the better technique anyway. None of this is to say that the Big Joe III isn't also a great option. But it is larger, requires more fuel, more heat soak, etc., and all the accessories are a bit more money. If you need it, it's wonderful. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
retfr8flyr 1,596 Posted November 8, 2020 Share Posted November 8, 2020 On 11/6/2020 at 6:56 PM, Tom Gordon said: Good point, we would cook for about 15 (as a party), but more regularly about 4-6. I'd be keen to hear your thoughts on how much can actually be cooked on the systems. Also, how much would you want to cook/manage at the same time? As a new griller, naturally I won't be too ambitious at first, but I intend on having the grill for a long time and will expand. If you are going to entertain that many people, I would highly recommend the Big Joe. My big Joe is a Gen I but I have the extended rack for it and I can easily feed 15-20 and I actually do quite often. The thing about a Kamado grill is you can build a small fire and only use half of the grill, for smaller cooks. The majority of my cooks are for just the two of us but I have a large family, so there are lots of cooks for 20+. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lnarngr 255 Posted November 8, 2020 Share Posted November 8, 2020 Find out if Costco is hosting a Kamado Joe Road Show in your area. They have deals! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dogstar 35 Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 On 11/8/2020 at 3:36 PM, lnarngr said: Find out if Costco is hosting a Kamado Joe Road Show in your area. They have deals! However Model III's are not sold at Costco. So find a good deal at a local store, or online. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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