Does anyone have experience with both? Im pretty set on adding a kamodo to the arsenal this summer. Really want to know if anyone has used both or even just had extensive experience with the Kong? I know the SnS is going to be a top level product but the price difference is pretty significant.
You are right that the cost is pretty high on the SNS Kamado with recent increases - just like with everything else. I like that it is 22", and that I can cook in traditional kamado mode as well as "SNS" mode like I do on my kettle. The two different modes of cooking produce dramatically different results. I also like that I can build a fire in the very bottom, and get 3 different cooking levels (upper charcoal grate, main cooking grate and elevated cooking grate). It makes for a Santa Maria style multi-level cooking experience where you can sear right above the coals, then move up to a higher level for finish the meat, veggies, whatever. I've never wished it was smaller, but sometimes wish it could hold more like one of the 24" extra large kamados.
I've looked at the Grilla Kong, and it seems to be a very good buy, or at least it was when I last checked pricing on it a year ago, when my son in law was looking at kamado style cookers. It has a 20.5" cooking grate, so it's right between the average 18" kamado, and the 22" SNS kamado in size. The Grilla website is kinda "deceptive" when they throw out that it is a 24" kamado. That is the EXTERIOR size - if I went with that, my SNS kamado is probably a 26" kamado.
Back to the Kong - I feel that even with the slightly smaller grate, with that full second level cooking grate, you can get a good bit of food on there. My son in law ended up with a Vision 18" kamado and really likes it - especially considering he got it for something like $150 used from someone on FB Marketplace, and looking at it - I think it had been lit maybe once or twice. One of those 2020 grill purchases where someone dropped $800 on a grill they found they didn't use, and dumped a year or two later. His main complaint is that two levels of 18" grates is still kinda small. Adding another 2" to the grate diameter would help a lot.
Anyway, as much as I hate to say it, while I think you will love the SNS Kamado, the Kong at $729 on sale right now is a really good buy, and I would have to look really hard at it... if I were spending my own money, and were on a budget, the Kong would probably win. If I had the money to spare and a larger budget - the SNS Kamado is second to none, and can cook in a more kettle style fashion using the SNS insert if you are used to that. BOTH will produce great food.
Let me add - it appears that the diffuser is *NOT* included with the Kong, and is an accessory that will set you back an additional $64.99. You *NEED* that if you want to cook indirect and smoke on the cooker. So be sure to get it.
I'll add one last thought, then I gotta get back to work.
I just watched an assembly video over on the Grilla website, and it does appear the diffuser is an add-on. Really ought to be included, but I know other makes do that as well, to get initial sticker price down.
In looking at it, I'm not sure I like that the main cooking grate is recessed down into the grill so far - sitting on the top of the firebox basically. On the SNS the upper charcoal grate sits on top of the firebox, and then you have the cooking grate recessed at most 1/2 to 1 inch below the lip of the grill, with the raised grate sitting 4 inches above that, if in use. That is how you can have up to 3 levels of cooking. The Grilla just has 2, and the bottom one is closer to the fire than my main cooking grate.
Do those differences add up to $1000 more in value? Only you can decide that one...
My toys:
Weber Summit Charcoal Grilling Center (WSCGC) aka Mr. Fancypants
Pit Barrel Cooker (which rocks), named Pretty Baby
Weber Summit S650 Gas Grill, named Hot 'n Fast (used mostly for searing and griddling)
Weber Kettle Premium 22" named Kettle Kid, eager to horn in with more cooks in the future
Camp Chef Somerset IV 4-burner outdoor gas range named AfterBurner due to its 30kBTU burners
Adrenaline BBQ Company Gear:
SnS Low Profile, DnG, and Large Charcoal Basket, for WSCGC
SnS Deluxe for 22" Kettle
Elevated SS Rack for WSCGC
SS Rack for DnG
Cast Iron Griddle
Grill Grate for SnS
Grill Grates: five 17.375 sections (retired to storage)
Grill Grates: six 19.25 panels for exact fit for Summit S650
gasser
Grill Grates for 22" Kettle
2 Grill Grate Griddles
Steelmade Griddle for Summit gas grill
Fireboard Gear:
Extreme BBQ Thermometer Package
Additional control unit
Additional probes: Competition Probes 1" (3) and 4" (1), 3 additional Ambient Probes. 1 additional Food Probe
2 Driver Cables
Pit Viper Fan (to pair with Fireboard Fan Driver Cable)
Pit Viper Fan new design (to pair with Fireboard Fan Driver Cable)
Thermoworks Gear:
Thermapen MK4 (pink)
Thermapen Classic (pink too)
Thermoworks MK4 orange
Temp Test 2 Smart Thermometer
Extra Big and Loud Timer
Timestick Trio
Maverick ET 73 a little workhorse with limited range
Maverick ET 733
Maverick (Ivation) ET 732
Grill Pinz
Vortex (two of them)
18" drip pan for WSCGC
Ceramic Spacers for WSCGC in Kamado Mode: 2 sets each 1/2", 1", 2". The 2" spacers work best with the 18" drip pan. The 1+1/2 inch spacers work best with the 14 inch cake pan.
Two Joule Sous Vide devices
3 Lipavi Sous Vide Tubs with Lids: 12, 18 and 26 quarts
Avid Armor Ultra Pro V32 Chamber Sealer
Instant Pot 6 Quart Electric Pressure Cooker
Instant Pot 10 Quart Electric Pressure Cooker
Charcoal Companion TurboQue
A-Maze-N tube 12 inch tube smoker accessory for use with pellets
BBQ Dragon and Dragon Chimney
Shun Classic Series:
8" Chef Knife
6" Chef's Knife
Gokujo Boning and Fillet Knife
3 1/2 inch Paring Knife
If you get up to the price range of the SnS kamado, you might want to take a peek at the Weber Summit Charcoal Grill. Its 24" grate provides much more real estate than you would expect from only a 2 inch increase over a 22" diameter grilling area. Once I got it, I no longer lusted after the 26" Weber. Plenty of room on that 24 inch grate which is especially helpful when using it in kettle mode.
The cost of the WSCG is between that of the Sns kamado and the Grilla that you're considering now.
Plus, with the weight difference as compared to a ceramic kamado, it's much more mobile.
This is a good point. If you are up to $1799, the comparison shouldn't really be the SNSK versus the Kong, but the SNSK versus the Weber Summit (cheaper without the cart) versus maybe the Kamado Joe Big Joe (also 24"). The Weber and KJ versions both have 24" cooking grates, but the Weber does it without the weight and risk of breakage a ceramic cooker will always have.
I too was in a similar position last year. The Kong has been at $729 for about year. They then added some Kong packages later in the year which I believe are still current. I didn’t realize the diameter listed was the outer one so that’s good to know. Since I’ll definitely need the mobility I’ve already decided that I’m going to get the Weber Summit at some point though I did look at SNS. Last fall I ended up going with the SNS kettle and I’ve been playing with that ever since. And having a blast with it. But there’s not a ton out there on the Kong other than the reviews on Grilla’s website.
As someone who has probably spent way too much time thinking about kamados, I basically came down to a used Primo or Kamado Joe. I am already spoiled for space with the 20” inch diameter on the Akorn and don’t want to give that up. But I struggled with paying those prices for designs that are really similar and a lot comes down to accessories. A used Akorn is also a really good budget-friendly choice.
So the Kong didn’t make the cut for me due to size, and the SNS kamado didn’t offer quite enough over a used KJ or Primo to make it worth it. If forced to pick, I’d do the SNS due to the size and accessories assuming the price works. Sometimes there are sales? 20% for SNS returns?
Fortunately, I don’t have to pick between the Primo, KJ, or Akorn just yet as my current Akorn is doing fine. However, given the design is meant to last decades, I felt used was the way to go.
I may need to expand my used search outside of NJ. If i find a deal in delaware or PA it might be worth the drive. But i havent seen much of anything in NJ in the used setting.
I think some good points have been raised, and also, if you really want a ceramic kamado, I would keep an eye out on your local Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist pages. I often see kamados for sale on there, and many are very lightly used.
Ive been scouring craigslist for ages. I guess not too many people grill/smoke a lot in NJ because its slim pickings at best. I dont have facebook but i could use my wifes to look, thats a good call.
Thank you to everyone who has posted here. I think if im going to go above a grand then ill just put aside the extra money over a few months for the SnS. I have a grilla OG pellet that i like a lot hence why the kong was in the picture. Was hoping someone had really spent some time with one because it doesnt seem to be widely reviewed as someone here mentioned.
Plenty to think on. We are renovating the backyard this spring so its not going to be purchased until that is finished. In the meantime ill keep my nose to the ground on used deals around my neck of the woods too.
FWIW, the Kongs and SNS are not popular enough to really show up used outside of forums like here. So, I might search for kamado and see what brands show up locally, but the KJs, Akorns, Primos and occasional Weber Kamado show up near Chicago. Summer has the greatest volume while it obviously dips the rest of the year.
I actually saw a used Kong with the All-terrain cart on sale on Facebook Marketplace today, down in Birmingham. Had only be used a couple times, but they also were asking $800 - a little steep for "used" regardless of how lightly used it was.
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