Adding a kamado -- what size BGE would be right for me?

[BrentC]

I've been toying with adding a kamado to my collection for a couple years (I have cooked with one before), and the discount order form for my local Eggfest (Dizzyfest) showed up around the same time as my tax refund hit the bank account. If I pull the trigger, the debate now is what size is right for my needs. I'm debating between an L and an XL.

Probably 50% of my outdoor cooking is for 2-4 (intended for 2 but we wind up sharing with the neighbors a lot). The next 30% is probably for 4-8, and 20% is for over 8 (but generally not more than 20).

I already have a PBC (which I use for bigger cooks), a 22" kettle with an SnS (used mostly for steaks and the occasional smaller long cooks when I don't want to use a full PBC charcoal basket), an old 18.5" WSM (my first smoker but I haven't used it in maybe two years), and a Weber Genesis (for quick and lazy weeknight grilling).

Checking various Egg-centric websites, the advice seems about 70-30 in favor of the XL, but seems geared towards people who (a) are buying their first smoker or (b) only have BGEs. I thought I'd check in here, where multiple smokers/brands/styles is more the norm. Thanks in advance for any advice.

[SierraBBQGuy]

My cooking needs are similar to yours. The Large BGE has worked well for me many years now. There have been only a handful of times where an XL would have been nice, but have always worked around that. You can stack multiple grates to double even triple your cooking surface.

[scottranda]

You can feed 20 people with a large, but it probably needs to be pork butts or carefully placed brisket. Ribs are a no go (too large a surface area without all the meat).

[JeffJ]

Taking into account the rest of your arsenal, just about any size will do. Kamados are not optimal for smoking and given that you already have a 22/SnS, PBC and WSM I suggest you don't factor in smoking meat when deciding which size to go with. If you were having a large party, the WSM + PBC would provide plenty of capacity for low/slow meat.

[SoCalTim]

BGE's are simply awesome when it comes to smoking. In fact, they are magical.

[JeffJ]

I get that opinion from David Parrish. He has 3 kamados and lays out a case as to why they are less than optimal for smoking. Maybe this post will serve as a Pied Piper for him and he will provide an explanation. Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXB_lQYWols&t=636s

[David Parrish]

Actually JeffJ that video you linked demonstrates the difference very well.

[LA Pork Butt]

I believe the Large would do just fine. Your situation fits mine. For larger cooks I have added accessories from the Ceramic Grill Store. I also have a Weber Jumbo Joe and a MiniMax that I use when grilling. If I had to do it over I would get the Small instead of the MiniMax.

[BriggsBBQ]

Why would you do the small instead of the mini max?

[LA Pork Butt]

BriggsBBQ the MiniMax has a shallow firebox and the charcoal grate is as wide as that on the Large. That makes it cook differently making low and slow more challenging. The Joe Jr is easier to manage.

[Histrix]

Go for the XL. It will be better suited for those big fulll packer briskets and full racks of ribs. The kamado is also impervious to the weather and can hold stable temps on cold/windy/rainy days so if you do grill year round you'll find that the BGE will likely become your most frequently used cooker. The XL will also run far longer on a load of fuel than any of your other charcoal grills.

[EBC]

The Large should work for you (2-4). Especially with your assortment...... You will enjoy it!

[Henrik]

I would personally go for the XL. If you want, you have the capacity. For those 80% of the cooks where you don't, just shut it down and restart the next time with the charcoal in there.

[DWCowles]

I have a Kamado Joe Big Joe and I couldn’t imagine having a smaller one. I love the extra space.

[vandy]

Ditto DW

[Troutman]

You might be interested in this video....just keeping your options open

Weber vs BGE

[BrentC]

The extra $1000 or so in price (accounting for the Eggfest discounts) makes the Summit a no-go for me at this point in time.

[BrentC]

Thanks for the great feedback so far. Really helpful (though I'm still debating).

[dshaffes]

I own a Medium BGE, and use it only when cooking for just the family. It is really versatile for a variety of different cooks ...including smoking. The flavor profile is unique in my opinion and I love cooking on it. I've thought about upgrading and face a similar decision as you. I'm still torn, but you will not go wrong with either decision.

[Sfdrew28]

I bought a kamado Komodo recently and had the same internal struggle with size. I decided to go with the larger of my choices and have no regrets. As long as money isn’t the deciding factor it’s better to have the space and not use it than the other way around.
I also was able to fit a 1/2 pig on lengthwise recently for a twelve person cook and it was really cool. So glad I went larger.

[JCBBQ]

I don't have a BGE but have an XL Primo. The Primo has a fire box divider so if you want to just use half the space you can. I don't know if that's something you can do with the BGEXL - maybe the Egg guys can chime in - but I'd definitely go with the bigger size. They're super efficient so even if you're using the whole thing for a small cook you can shut down the dampers and save most of the charcoal...and that way you'll have the extra real estate for when you want it.

[EdF]

I've had a LBGE since 2002, and it's been fine. Given the other stuff in your arsenal, you're good. But the argument for the XL is pretty good too.