BGE or Vision Grills Kamado???

jshillin · May 25, 2014

Hi all, I'm in the market for a ceramic grill/smoker/oven... I'm stuck between the Vision Grills Kamado for $569+tax at Sam's Club or the Large Big Green Egg for twice the price. I really don't want to spend the extra from the egg, but worried if I guy the Vision that I will regret not spending the money on the grill that has tons of accessories you can purchase.

Vision Grills Kamado at Sam's Club

The Vision's warranty is supposedly good now, but you never know how long they will be around. BGE has been around since the 70's and I have a local dealer... Does that warrant double the price?

I have a small vertical smoker and another small round water smoker that I'll get rid of when I make this purchase, but I'm keeping my Weber Gas grill.

What do you guys think?

marauder · May 25, 2014

introducing a smoking buddy into Kamado market we have looked at both and Kamado Joe also the Primo.. the Vision has a deflector plate double rack cover included 1/2 the price the big draw for BGE would be a local dealer.. but what ive heard Sams stands behind their product. each will produce good food. start out with the Vision.you can always upgrade couple years later .. what better than to have choices of smokers!

jshillin · May 25, 2014

I even considered at Char-Griller Kamado Kooker because they can be had for under $300 after taxes, but don't know if it would be a waste of money when I really want a ceramic grill.

bluefrog · May 25, 2014

I bought the Vision and could not be happier.

jshillin · May 26, 2014

bluefrog said:
I bought the Vision and could not be happier.

Have you had any issues with it? Have you had to warranty anything yet? I was reading about a good many cracks in the fire box.

bluefrog · May 26, 2014

~~No problems. I have smoked grilled and seared no cracks or problems.~~

chef jimmyj · May 27, 2014

The Vision looks nice, but it is so small. Do you not smoke much at a time? Other than size, I don't see how the Egg is worth 2X the price...JJ

jshillin · May 27, 2014

Chef JimmyJ said:
The Vision looks nice, but it is so small. Do you not smoke much at a time? Other than size, I don't see how the Egg is worth 2X the price...JJ

I really don't smoke that much at a time. It's usually just for the 4 of us. A pork butt and some ribs or sausages is usually the max at a time. I see you are up in Harrisburg, that's only a little more than an hour from me!!

bluefrog · May 27, 2014

Why do you say that the Vision is "so small"? Mine is 19 inches in inside diameter.

jshillin · May 28, 2014

bluefrog said:
Why do you say that the Vision is "so small"? Mine is 19 inches in inside diameter.

How much can you cook on it at a time? I looked at it and I don't think it's small. Sure, it's not going to make as much as a huge smoker for a 24" grill, but this size isn't really meant for that.

chef jimmyj · May 28, 2014

bluefrog said:
Why do you say that the Vision is "so small"? Mine is 19 inches in inside diameter.

For the same money or less there are many Smokers that can smoke 4, 8lb Pork Butts or 4, 12 Lb Briskets. With Rib Racks, you can smoke 16 racks, or 8 Chickens or 2 Turkeys. You can hang 20 Lbs of Sausage with greater temp control.

There is nothing wrong with the Vision for an all-in-one Smoker/Grill. I was just curious how much J would be wanting to Smoke and would point out other options...JJ

jshillin · May 29, 2014

Chef JimmyJ said:
For the same money or less there are many Smokers that can smoke 4, 8lb Pork Butts or 4, 12 Lb Briskets. With Rib Racks, you can smoke 16 racks, or 8 Chickens or 2 Turkeys. You can hang 20 Lbs of Sausage with greater temp control.

There is nothing wrong with the Vision for an all-in-one Smoker/Grill. I was just curious how much J would be wanting to Smoke and would point out other options...JJ

The appealing thing to me is that I can smoke on it at 225, make pizza at 700 or sear steaks at 1,000 degrees. I checked into a Primo Oval's today and they are about $200 more than the comparably sized Big Green Egg's. I'm having enough trouble with $800, let alone adding $200 more.

I had to take the pregnant wife to a doc appt today so I didn't make it to the bbq dealer. Tomorrow is the day for me to check it out with cash in hand. If all goes well and I get it I already checked with the lumber yard on cedar to built the cart/table.

marauder · May 29, 2014

My buddy bought an Akorn ai Lowe's he loves it. 299 $

chef jimmyj · May 29, 2014

jshillin said:
The appealing thing to me is that I can smoke on it at 225, make pizza at 700 or sear steaks at 1,000 degrees. I checked into a Primo Oval's today and they are about $200 more than the comparably sized Big Green Egg's. I'm having enough trouble with $800, let alone adding $200 more.

I had to take the pregnant wife to a doc appt today so I didn't make it to the bbq dealer. Tomorrow is the day for me to check it out with cash in hand. If all goes well and I get it I already checked with the lumber yard on cedar to built the cart/table.

Congrats on the upcoming birth of a new Baby...Each of the births of my three girls was followed by 75 family members and friends gathering to welcome each one, Christen each one and celebrate the 1st Birthday of each one. Then there was countless other events. I totally understand the appeal. The Vision is versatile and is plenty of room for a family of 5 ...All that you describe can be done with a Weber 22.5" One Touch Gold $149, and a Pizza stone for $34. Add a 1st Gen MES40 $339 and for $522 you can also do all of the above. Easily feeding a big group. Plus Set and Forget the Smoker, full of food, and play with the Baby or give the Mrs. a break. Oh yeah and have $47 to buy meat. Please don't think I am putting down your Vision. Just as a now, somewhat old man with three Daughter between 18 and 23, I know what can happen. For me as a new Dad, with a new House, money was tight and any money I spent on Grills and Smokers had to be a one time, plan for all contingencies, purchase. I wish you the best of luck with your choice...JJ

jshillin · May 30, 2014

Chef JimmyJ said:
Congrats on the upcoming birth of a new Baby...Each of the births of my three girls was followed by 75 family members and friends gathering to welcome each one, Christen each one and celebrate the 1st Birthday of each one. Then there was countless other events. I totally understand the appeal. The Vision is versatile and is plenty of room for a family of 5 ...All that you describe can be done with a Weber 22.5" One Touch Gold $149, and a Pizza stone for $34. Add a 1st Gen MES40 $339 and for $522 you can also do all of the above. Easily feeding a big group. Plus Set and Forget the Smoker, full of food, and play with the Baby or give the Mrs. a break. Oh yeah and have $47 to buy meat. Please don't think I am putting down your Vision. Just as a now, somewhat old man with three Daughter between 18 and 23, I know what can happen. For me as a new Dad, with a new House, money was tight and any money I spent on Grills and Smokers had to be a one time, plan for all contingencies, purchase. I wish you the best of luck with your choice...JJ

Thanks JimmyJ!! Pretty much all of my family lives a couple hours away, some east, some west, so I usually don't get more than 10 people at a time ever. I'm leaning hard now toward a Big Green Egg now...

jshillin · Jun 4, 2014

Local BGE Dealer has a 10% off sale running for Father's Day. I picked up the grill last night, but the spar varnish on my table wasn't quite dry yet so it's still in the box. If nothing changes I'm going to get it in my table this evening. Here's a couple pics of the table I built for it over the weekend out of cedar. I'm not a woodworker, but I think it turned out pretty well.

20140603_182332.jpg

jshillin
Jun 4, 2014

20140603_182324.jpg

jshillin
Jun 4, 2014

recruitergk · Jun 22, 2014

It is coming up on a year since I have purchased my Vision Pro C from Alabama Power $799. It came with all accessories, cover, starter, two tier rack, shield and cover. Bought it July 4th week to smoke ribs, butt and chicken. I used it maybe three times and the stone (shield) cracked. I called Vision they asked for a picture and before I sent them the picture I got notified of a tracking number for a new stone. Warranty and customer service is excellent as is the grill! If you haven't bought one yet I would go ahead and do it with no worries.

bluefrog · Jun 22, 2014

I have given away a master jilt electric, and that other electric smoker that the heating element did not last. I've worn out a GSM propane smoker and 2 off sat smokers. Know have a Vision that gets used 3 to 5nights a week. It is the best smoker/grill that I have ever owened!

jshillin · Jun 23, 2014

I ended up picking up the BGE during a father's day sale for $765. I've used it almost every day since and it's been awesome.

20140604_180618.jpg

jshillin
Jun 23, 2014

A few of the things I made on it:

Baked Indirect on Pizza Stone at just over 600 degrees

20140606_194907.jpg

jshillin
Jun 23, 2014

Seared at 800 degrees

20140607_170747.jpg

jshillin
Jun 23, 2014

Indirect Spatchcock Chickens

20140608_164657_2.jpg

jshillin
Jun 23, 2014

Low & Slow

20140609_142508.jpg

jshillin
Jun 23, 2014

jshillin · Jun 23, 2014

bluefrog said:
I have given away a master jilt electric, and that other electric smoker that the heating element did not last. I've worn out a GSM propane smoker and 2 off sat smokers. Know have a Vision that gets used 3 to 5nights a week. It is the best smoker/grill that I have ever owened!

I came close to buying the Vision... After eating food from my BGE I think some of my buddies are going to buy a Vision because of the price point. From everything I have read they are great with a solid warranty.

Here's tonight's dinner! Nice sear on the outside, medium rare on the inside!!

20140623_173040.jpg

jshillin
Jun 23, 2014

BGE or Vision Grills Kamado???

BGE or Vision Grills Kamado???

Big Green Egg

Vision Grills Kamado

Newbie

Meat Mopper

Newbie

Smoking Fanatic

Newbie

Smoking Fanatic

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

Newbie

Smoking Fanatic

Newbie

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

Newbie

Meat Mopper

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

Newbie

Newbie

Newbie

Smoking Fanatic

Newbie

Newbie

Similar threads

Hot Threads

Featured A couple thick strips please!