Insulated Charcoal Cabinet, or bigger Kamado?

[Rusty1234]

I posted the below in the Charcoal Cabinet forum, but I thought I'd ask the same question here to get a different perspective (if I do buy a new Kamado, it will likely be a Kamado Joe Big Joe).

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I've got a 18" Vision Kamado that I've been happy with (set up with dual racks, heat deflector, and drip pan from Ceramic Grill Store. I also have a FireBoard 2 Drive setup, which replaced a BBQ Guru DigiQ). I use it mainly for smoking butts and briskets, and only occasionally for grilling (I also have a propane griddle, so that covers most of my grilling needs). But it's pretty much maxed out with two butts or a large brisket (I usually cook the flat and point on separate racks), and my grandkids are getting older (and more numerous!), so I foresee a time when I'll need something bigger for family gatherings.

So I've been debating whether to replace it with a larger kamado (something like a Big Joe), or add another cooker. The Big Joe 3 is about $3K, so for that budget, I could buy a pretty nice cabinet smoker -- something from Humphries or Backwoods (or Cascade, which is much closer to me - I live near Seattle). I don't need huge capacity -- I'm guessing that a Backwoods Chubby G2/G3 or similar would be plenty.

So I'm looking for ideas and suggestions. I've read in a few places that there is a notable difference in flavor between a Kamado and a dedicated smoker, but others say it's about the same. I've not sampled much BBQ other than what I make myself, so I don't have much to compare.

[hoovarmin]

Definitely get both - that's the advice you will get from many of us here 😂. I can only tell you this. I have the Big Joe III and it is kind of a "One ring to rule them all" sort of thing. I paid the $3k and don't regret it one iota. That said, I did get pretty ticked off when I saw it on sale half off somewhere - I think BBQ guys. I really can't speak to the other cooker because I don't have one, but I can tell you I have been overjoyed with my Big Joe III.

[LA Pork Butt]

I’m a Kamado guy and in particular BGE. I say stay Kamado. If you can find an Eggfest near you can pick up an XL BGE with the the nest, diffuser and grill tool after being used for 4 hours and with full lifetime warranty for about $1,300. With second level cooking I would think it would meet your growing cooking needs with a minimum learning curve. I have done #40 pounds of Boston Butts on multilevel cooking and 4 racks of ribs without a rib rack. BGE has produced some multifunction add ons modeled after the Ceramic Grill Stores offerings.

Rusty1234 I failed to mention the cooking I referenced was on a Large BGE and not the XL which would increase your capacity.

[SmokeyGator]

I managed to fit 8 full racks of baby back ribs in my Primo XL once. It was for an office event, a secretary for a different division asked me nicely and gave me the money for the ribs (it was not my boss). Since she was such a wonderful person of course I agreed. I even made the sauce, using the recipe for the Kansas City Sauce on the free side of this website, with the addition of 1/8 tsp of some REALLY hot powdered peppers (ghost peppers) and at least a cup of Chivas Regal (neighbor gave me a bottle, I am more of a beer person but hey who turns down scotch and/or whiskey). I used a vertical rib rack holder and the extended grates. The thing was FULL. Like full to the point nothing else would possibly fit.

You can sell your smaller kamado, although I would not. Sometimes smaller is better. But if you sell it some of the cost of a larger upgrade is offset.

Reasons to stick with a kamado includes, but is not limited to, you know how they work. If you go with something else, you need to figure out how it works. A larger kamado will also work perfectly fine with your current Fireboard setup, no need to buy another adaptor or fan or anything.

But in the end, it is up to you. I can say that in my Primo XL I could fit three pork butts easy, I do not think I would even need the extended grates. That is A LOT of food. I could also put two briskets in it without a problem. Again, A LOT of food. Also there is multiple uses. Tonight I did a pot roast stew in the Primo. I used only 1/2 heat deflector, and out the pit probe over it with the fireboard set to 250. After about 1 hour on smoke I pulled it, left the lid open, and put a cast iron griddle over the direct heat side to sear the meat. Then it went in the Instant Pot on high pressure with carrots, celery, potatoes, garlic, brown gravy mix, beef broth, and various sauces I found in the fridge that were almost gone (A1 steak sauce, caesar dressing, some spanish caesar like but not really sauce, and Worcestershire sauce) for an hour. With a cabinet smoker I could not really sear the meat without setting up some other cooker.

That said, the Backwoods G3 (or similar) is nice! Either way you will be happy.

[au4stree]

I was able to get KJ BJ3 on sale from Atlanta Grill Co, with free shipping. They pulled up to my house with a drop gate truck. The price was substantially less than MSRP, just watch sales around major holidays. I absolutely love the KJ experience.

[JCBBQ]

Problem solved:

[Rusty1234]

Looks like I can order one from Home Depot and get my 10% military discount, so much less costly than a BGE XL or Big Joe 3. I know that Weber kettles are very popular, but I’ve never actually used one. All my cooking experience has been with the Vision ceramic kamado.

[hoovarmin]

I would have purchased one of these but for 2 reasons. The first was that I live in Florida and the weather here is not kind to Weber products. There are parts on my Kamado that will inevitably have to be replaced, but not the ceramic. The second reason is that I love the ability to cook at a greater distance from the coals that the BJIII gives. It's one of the benefits of a PBC or a Bronco that I love.

[JCBBQ]

Rusty1234 I too never used a kettle until I got this cooker. It’s a great combination burrito.

[Old Glory]

+100 on the WSCG.

Does everything a ceramic does only better. And can be used as a regular kettle.

[HawkerXP]

YES! One of each please!

[Mike Wright]

Doing something I love, be really trying to do better.