Ceramic vs Pellet if space for only one?

[FireMan]

Since we’re votin here & since you have an interest in bakin, I vote the Kamado, yessir!

[02ebz06]

Whatever you decide, get it on wheels.
That way you can move it wherever you want.
Heck, you get both then.

[CandySueQ]

Relocate your smoker counter to an outside location. Put a gas firepit and seating around it to view the TV. Buy a ceramic and a pellet and maybe a can cooker too. Your wife will love the pellet grill, better than gas.

[RolfTaylor]

I do think the safety concerns are valid, but not sure if that tilts towards the pellet or the Kamado. I would assume the outside of a pellet gets hots since it is metal. Kamados get hot, but possibly not as much. I saw some fire department tips and they strongly adivise against using grills anywhere there is a ceiling or vegetation overhead .

All that aside, my vote is Kamado. I have a Weber propane and a BGE. I use the BGE for low and slow (I wish it were a large not a medium) and for searing. Some day I will try pizza. I wish I had two zones, but that Primo solves that.

Tips -

if the Kamado runs out of fuel on a low and slow cook odds are you can finish up in the gas grill or the inside oven versus refueling. That is particularly true if you are wrapping the meat.

Get some spacers from the Ceramic grill store. Among other uses I can prop open the propane grill to get lower temperatures when I need them.

[DavidNorcross]

I have had both. Will probably own another ceramic one day just because. I can tell you that I love my Silverbac and the food that it produces is wonderful. I am a huge fan of pellet cookers.

[jgandy]

This is all fantastic advice! Thank you all. I posted this and just now getting back to read through everything.
The considerations between the two types of cookers has been really insightful and helpful. This is definitely the most trustworthy source rather than just scouring the internet. Without repeating everything mentioned, for my purposes it has become clear the ceramic is the choice for me.
I had not considered the safety concerns mentioned just because the existing gas grill has been in that location for years. But the smoker might be a different story. So that being the case, I believe what we're going to do is put the Primo on a frame with casters that live next to the house but easily roll out from under the porch when in use.
Thanks again everyone.

[DVal]

I'm jumping in late but can I suggest the Weber kamado summit? It does everything my ceramic used to do. It's the size of a big joe and it's VERY easy to move around. There are ways to build it in but I find that the ability to move it has come in handy and it may address some of the safety concerns other people have mentioned. It's also way cheaper than most ceramics. It even comes with a fan port, so if you buy some parts down the road you can get a more pellet like convenience from it.

[SmokeyGator]

I have a Primo XL. I really like it. BUT it is not the end all be all. It really does not do direct grilling well. It tends to throw fireballs at you when you open the lid if doing direct heat stuff. It can do the same with higher heat indirect too. But you have a gas grill for that, so no worries.

It is an EXCELLENT smoker. You want to get the Fireboard controller with the Pit Viper fan though. It makes the Primo as set and forget as a pellet. You can get a really good smoke flavor, or a lighter touch - your choice. If it gets cold where you are, the Primo is insulated well so it will hold a stable temperature for as long as you have charcoal burning.

But a pellet grill is also nice. I would even say a pellet grill is better for things like fish, where you might want a lower set temperature.

[radiodome21]

I have my pellet smoker up against my house wall, though the grill is housed in Grilla’s built in unit. I did have a flare up last year when I turned it up to 450 to crisp up some asparagus. That was the last time I ever went higher than 400. Luckily I was outside when it happened and it only discolored the grill. It was a flareup from the exhaust chimney. I clean the fire pit every few cooks depending on the length of previous cooks. It’s also next to our back door and we’ve never had an issue with smoke in the house with the exception of my wife opening the window above the smoker. Only way it can be moved is if I reattach it to the base it came with, which I still have.

Having never cooked on a Kamado my advice…..get both. 🙃

[Jfrosty27]

Add on to your patio and get both. 😊

[Alan Brice]

SnS Kamado here. Absolutely love it, decide what you want n keep yer eye open, it will come. It is about the journey.