I think a lot of the pellet grills are like this. If I'm not mistaken, there are a few that don't require a plug in, but I don't remember which. That's why the Kamado style cookers are pretty popular. They don't take a long time to setup and get up to temperature (maybe 30 mins), and once you learn to dial it in, you can walk away a bit. Plus, the fuel lasts a while. I'd look into something like that, with maybe a cheaper gas grill for quick cooks.
Looked at a Big Green Egg today. Ace has a pretty good deal right now. $850 for the Large with a nest, the convEGGtor convection plate, large bag of the BGE hardwood, and some starters.
Looks like you've done a bit of an about face if you've looked at a BGE today. They aren't cheap, but they last a LONG time. I'm doing a yard bird on my right now. Had it for almost 15 years.......five of them in Calgary. Always outside in the elements. You can get that thing up to 900 degrees and do pizza on them, or you can get it to hover around 225, cook a brisket for 14 hours or so and never have to add fuel. They are truly awesome. But not cheap. If you're in Houston, sign up for Berring's Hardware's e-mail list. They send out 25% coupons all the time, and they are good on BGE.
I know you've owned several different smokers: Are you ranking your BGE as Best for brisket? I'm not finding that to be the case for me. I'll spare you the details, but compared to the two other smokers I've owned, I'm either having an issue with arid climate and high altitude in Boulder vs Houston, or the BGE is just too small ... plus I'm very critical of my own briskets. For final taste result, disregarding all convenience benefits and fuel-saving benefits, do you consider it the best smoker you've had for brisket? I'll hang up and listen.
I would say.....yes......but mainly for this stage in my life. I have an XL, so it is big enough for pretty much any brisket I can find.....but only one. Back in college (roughly thirty years ago), I had a smoker on a trailer that would handle a dozen or more briskets, but I didn't have the technology I have available today (for instance: thermoworks Smoke), so I'd have to babysit that thing all night. That could be marginally fun in my youth (and with plenty of beer), but that's no longer the case. I've also had to dream up ways to make the heat more indirect in the BGE, but I can put out a pretty good brisket with one. Consistently.
A complete 180. I don't really want to go back to gas and with the BGE able to handle everyday cooking better than I originally thought, I think this is the way to go. I just wasn't impressed with the Traeger at all. This is an important kitchen appliance for us so I'm not terribly concerned about it being more than the average grill. If it's going to last me 15 years and I can cook a relatively quick burger, it seems worth the investment. I'm getting the large because the XL is a bit overkill for us. I will do the occasional brisket but I can fit one the size I'd normally cook on there easily. Since we're getting the convection plate with it, we'll be able to do all of the indirect heat things without having to rig anything up. UPDATE: Grill is purchased. Being delivered tomorrow morning. CAN'T WAIT to cook something tomorrow. Just can't figure out what I'm going to start with.
Got my BGE yesterday morning. Put a couple racks of ribs on and smoked them for about 4 hours. They were fantastic. The closest I've ever come to a BBQ joint's ribs. Decided brisket is on the menu for Christmas day.
Good choice. Once you use a kamado, you'll find nothing compares to the all around greatness of them.
Enjoy the kamado. Personally I think the Kamado Joe is superior to the BGE (mostly as the dual indirect plate setter and better nest) but you can’t go wrong with most ceramics. Great for grilling meat and smoking meat.
