My broil king keg 4000 is coming to end of life and I am considering buying another keg versus wsm. Any thoughts? It experience which is better. I like the keg but it does have some limitations such as space and smoking things like ribs. However, burning quality and efficiency I'd what I am interested in.
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A good Kamado is one of the most efficient and best cookers out there, but the trade-off is space. You could go with a larger kamado if your budget allows like the Primo XL, or alternatively, the Akorn has A 22” grate and comes in steel, ceramic, and fan-controlled charcoal options.
If you want more capacity, the barrels like the Oklahoma Joe Bronco or the new barrel from Hasty Bake are really good. I think the Bronco is just introducing a new version too.
Personally, I favor a good quality kamado and a second smoker for extra capacity. I have a BGE and a PK300 so that works for me. -
If I need one for grilling and smoking I'm buying a Kamado. If I need a smoker I'm buying a WSM. I own both a BKK and a few WSM's.
You can buy a 22 WSM with a Cajun bandit door, wheel kit, hood latch, and a flame boss for the price of the BKK and then it's way better! Unless you want to grill then forget everything I said!Comment
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I had a BK keg for 13 years! I never ran into a "space" issue. I guess you have to decide how often you're cooking for a crowd, where space is an issue, to justify changing to a new cooker you wont be familllar with. I got a PK360 when my BK cooker died and I'm very happy with it. Space hasn't been an issue yet!
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I have never owned a kamado, but I am on my 2nd WSM. I am a fan. And I have grilled on it by setting the coal basket where the lower grate sits. I think the greatest advantage the WSM has is it is portable. Light and easy to move. I have the 18" so the space is limited though.Comment
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I have a Primo XL and i think this type of Kamado can do it all but it is too big for the two of us and I have other cookers as well. I have a sister in law named Ingrid and everyone calls her Inky and that is what made me look at this post. Here is is with the pizza attachement.
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I think your thoughts of Broil King Keg versus WSM are comparing two very different things. The Keg can grill AND smoke. The WSM is *just* a smoker. If you grill on it at all, I would go with another BKK - or any other grill that can smoke AND grill. If you just smoke, then you may have more smoking room on the WSM, at least the 22" version.
The keg is on the small size with an 18-19 inch grate. I think if you are talking WSM 18, it will be similarly constrained, other than having 2 levels. I personally would look at larger grills or kamados, 22" or larger, if it were me. An 18 inch grate rarely will hold a slab of ribs without cutting it down. I can fit 3 untrimmed slabs of ribs on a 22" grate. Or using a rib rack, 5-6 slabs or untrimmed ribs standing on edge per 22" grate.Comment
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If I were to have just one cooker, it would be a 22” kamado. You can use a bigger one smaller, but you can never make a smaller one bigger. I have an 18” LBGE, and probably once a season I wish I’d gotten an XL, even cooking now for just the two of us.
There are a lot of choices, including the S&S with its multiple grate and level options included. Other brands you can buy all the other stuff separately, of course, but getting it all at once is nice.
Regarding the cost, just do it. That’s easy to say, but speaking from experience, once it’s done it’s over. A year from now you won’t miss the extra $500 or whatever, and you’ll be satisfied with your kamado. After 5 years with the LBGE, I added a 22” Weber; I wound up spending the difference anyhow!Comment
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