DeacWatcher
Ricky Peral
The auto igniter on my Genesis went out 2 years after I got it so I have just used a stick lighter for the last 6 years.
Heck of a grill.
Heck of a grill.
Picked up a new grill from the Depot on Saturday. I'm too poor for a Weber, but I did pick up a 5 burner with the side deal for 219.00 after I used a coupon and sale. Broke it in with some surf n turf...boneless ribeye and tuna steak.
Must look back on this thread for ideas.
I looked long and hard at a Kamado grill this weekend. I backed off of it, but I may yet talk myself into it. I worry about the "Jack of all Trades, Master of None" effect. My side-by-side smoker has done everything I've asked of it (I wish it was a little taller for the beer can chicken and a little easier to clean, but other than that, it's done the job). The kamado style has more cooking surface and might be a better smoker. We shall see.
Which Kamado? I started with a cheap Akorn, then added a Primo oval, jr and a BGE MiniMax (that was a gift). I still use the Akorn for larger butts, but the Primo is the best of my three.
I'm starting cheap. The Charbroil Kammader is on clearance for $239.00. It's not ceramic (it's insulated stainless), but the reviews I have seen rated it comparable.
That's a variation of the Akorn - actually looks like an improved model due to the intake... I'd get it at that price. Mine (3 years old) is not as precise as the ceramics at low temps as the temp rolls 10 degrees =/-, but it still turns out great Q and it was a low cost way of trying kamado cooking out. BTW, the included thermostadt is worthless.
The one negative review I saw was the inability to add fuel/chips directly to the heat during smoking configuration. You've got a deflector plate layered between the fire bin and the surface, and you have to pull everything out to add fuel, so the guy said it works well for single burn, slow cooker (beer can chicken, smoked turkey, ribs), but not as good for shoulders.
Anybody have any experiences with the Traeger grills that Dan Patrick is always hawking on his show?
Anybody have any experiences with the Traeger grills that Dan Patrick is always hawking on his show?
How hard is it to learn to use a Kamado? How much maintenance involved? My patience is admittedly terrible, but I love to cook/grill and love the smoked flavor on just about anything.
I thought it was easy. The key is to not overshoot your desired temperature as they take forever to cool back down. It also pays to use a quality lump charcoal. Royal Oak is the cheapest stuff I use. I prefer Original Natural lump, but that's fairly expensive. I won't use Cowboy as I've heard too many complaints about it. I assume there's lots of discussion on the smoking thread about charcoal. Never use briquettes.
Maintenance is like any charcoal grill - remove the ash and clean the grate. Gaskets need to be replaced every year or two depending on how much you use it.
Help me here. Why?