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I guess I am just a cautious buyer as I figure I want to make sure if I spend £1500-1800 on something then I buy the right thing. Nothing worse then discovering something better the week after it arrives.

I want one unit to grill and smoke and this seemed to be the right one.

ConorD wrote:I guess I am just a cautious buyer as I figure I want to make sure if I spend £1500-1800 on something then I buy the right thing. Nothing worse then discovering something better the week after it arrives.

I want one unit to grill and smoke and this seemed to be the right one.

I don't blame you, it is a lot of money and you need to be certain. Whichever one you choose you won't regret it, you just need to work out what is more important, moving it and reputation (Kamado Joe still unknown for customer service in UK). The grill system in the Joe is good but it doesn't mean it's better at the end of the day they will both achieve excellent results in the right hands, with minimum effort.

If you do get the egg may be worth not buying the plate setter and getting the Kamado Joe version, just checked on Eggheads.com and it fits and is a much better design than the BGE version

http://www.outdoorgourmet.co.uk/shop/heat-deflector-(bigjoe)/dp/203

I can post a picture of my version which I had made but for £60 you really can't go wrong with the above, that's £40 cheaper than the BGE one and allows you to do raised direct off the bat with the flexibility of only using half the stone for a true indirect zone, will be ordering one for me that's for sure!!

Have you looked at the Kamado Joe's? I looked at the BGE (and lusted for about 7yrs). After looking, tasting, feeling and fiddling I eventually settled on the KJ over the BGE due to value for money. After about 8 months I am well and truly happy I made the decision. The KJ is as good as the BGE but for alot less money. The only weakness to date was a poor gasket which I have replaced and has done significantly better since then.

ConorD, you really should take a look at a Kamado Joe before making a decision. I've just bought a classic Joe and I couldn't be happier. The new 'divide and conquer' system on the Kamado Joe was the deciding factor (along with price) for me. The flexibility it offers is miles ahead of the BGE. Have a look on youtube and you will see what i mean. It's coming as standard on all 2014 models

I got my Joe from Hornbeam stoves in Henley. Looks like they're just down the road from you. The customer service was excellent. It was a breeze to arrange a viewing and i was given a working demo. The owner delivered on the same day as i paid and helped me unload and set up.

You will be impressed by which ever ceramic you go for. For me, a Kamado Joe is the winner.

Smoked_ox wrote:ConorD, you really should take a look at a Kamado Joe before making a decision. I've just bought a classic Joe and I couldn't be happier. The new 'divide and conquer' system on the Kamado Joe was the deciding factor (along with price) for me. The flexibility it offers is miles ahead of the BGE. Have a look on youtube and you will see what i mean. It's coming as standard on all 2014 models

I got my Joe from Hornbeam stoves in Henley. Looks like they're just down the road from you. The customer service was excellent. It was a breeze to arrange a viewing and i was given a working demo. The owner delivered on the same day as i paid and helped me unload and set up.

You will be impressed by which ever ceramic you go for. For me, a Kamado Joe is the winner.

Thanks dude, this is just up the road from me so will see about paying them a visit.

Smoked_ox wrote:ConorD, you really should take a look at a Kamado Joe before making a decision. I've just bought a classic Joe and I couldn't be happier. The new 'divide and conquer' system on the Kamado Joe was the deciding factor (along with price) for me. The flexibility it offers is miles ahead of the BGE. Have a look on youtube and you will see what i mean. It's coming as standard on all 2014 models

....

You will be impressed by which ever ceramic you go for. For me, a Kamado Joe is the winner.

I'm with Ox - bought my Classic Joe a few weeks ago after finding my Excel too fuel heavy and not versatile enough. I have used the Joe almost every day since come rain or shine. I have found it plenty big enough (yesterday cooked for 11, 1 brisket, 2 big racks of ribs plus homemade burgers and sausages) and really versatile. The divide and conquer is genius and it it really allows for different zones and fiddling with coals during the cook. Build quality is superb and the dealer service is rumoured to be excellent. I thought this was a very honest comparison of the Joe and BGE: http://seriousbirder.com/blogs/big-gree ... omparison/

Either way you won't regret the spend...

Guy.