2017 Kamado Joe Big Joe new features (video)

[Turkey]

I had a look at the KJBJ and Primo Oval XL today.

First up was the Primo and my initial impression was that it was much smaller than I expected. The lid was pretty heavy to lift and I didn't like the hinge system at all. It bounces disconcertingly at its fully open point. I know that you are supposed to check and tighten the bolts periodically to prevent a catastrophe and it doesn't take much imagination to see how that could happen.

The KJBJ seemed larger and felt more solid, especially the hinge. However, this must have been the 2016 model because the lid was ridiculously heavy to lift and it had a felt gasket. The salesman didn't know when the 2017 model was coming to Aus (he hadn't heard about it).

I was definitely favouring the Primo over the KJBJ before inspecting them but now I reckon it's worth waiting for the 2017 model (if I don't get a KK). Does a large packer brisket fit on the KJ without the edges getting burnt? That's the one scenario where I could see the Primo having an advantage due to its shape.

 

[six501]

Here you go.

It starts with this guy. This is a stainless charcoal basket that fits in the lower section. It's stainless steal and Dave said it's twice as big as the weber one's that come with it. What I noticed was it's pretty much the biggest you can get and still lift it out without having to turn it funny to get it out. So this should be nice for raising and lowering the grates.



This is their trip and griddle pan. it sits perfectly on the supports without the need of the grate itself which allows you to do this configuration. I don't fully understand the benefit of this set up but that's because I haven't had a chance to talk to Dave about it. I do now it's much easier to add charcoal like this than using the normal heat deflector with the hinge.



And this is the prototype of the SnS for the Summit. The real one will be slightly different but you get the idea.



My old grate had a weld brake so weber sent me a new one. That's why it's so shiny. lol.

I don't know why but now I really want this whole set up. Love my Summit and buying accessories.

 

[Baby Back Maniac]

Trying out the basket today. So far so good.




3 hour in...going in foil.

 

[Baby Back Maniac]

I had a look at the KJBJ and Primo Oval XL today.

First up was the Primo and my initial impression was that it was much smaller than I expected. The lid was pretty heavy to lift and I didn't like the hinge system at all. It bounces disconcertingly at its fully open point. I know that you are supposed to check and tighten the bolts periodically to prevent a catastrophe and it doesn't take much imagination to see how that could happen.

The KJBJ seemed larger and felt more solid, especially the hinge. However, this must have been the 2016 model because the lid was ridiculously heavy to lift and it had a felt gasket. The salesman didn't know when the 2017 model was coming to Aus (he hadn't heard about it).

I was definitely favouring the Primo over the KJBJ before inspecting them but now I reckon it's worth waiting for the 2017 model (if I don't get a KK). Does a large packer brisket fit on the KJ without the edges getting burnt? That's the one scenario where I could see the Primo having an advantage due to its shape.

Yeah, the shape looks nice horizontally but not vertically. The round kamados seem to have more vertical space which is nice if you cook on multiple levels. It's all a trade off, I guess. I had the same impression of the Primo hinge you did...That was one where the salesman told me to "get stronger" when I asked if there was a solution. I still think they are cool though.

 

[Baby Back Maniac]

Well in the last 3-4 days I've gone from Big Joe to XL BGE back to Big Joe to WSCG.

Having a L BGE (that i jist sold) I think the Weber would make the most sense for a new cooking experience . I'm sure I'll change my mind 10 more times.

Sounds like a normal part of the process to me. lol.

 

[Baby Back Maniac]

I'm not sure anybody is reading this thread anymore but I'll follow up here just for closure in case anybody is lurking in the future. The basket made it easy to add coal however it was big enough I ended up only needing one basketful anyways.




I had a pretty crappy rack of ribs to start with (wife found them super cheap on the clearance rack) and they turned out great so I'm happy.

 

[wbzipf]

BBM, thanks.

I am still not sure about this SnS thing on the WSCG, the biggest reason is that inevitably you give up low and slow real estate if you use it over the stock deflector plate. I am also not sure it adds any advantage in the sear catagory, as when I do two zone, I just pile the coals to one side with the charcoal rake. what am I missing?.

I do like the size of the bigger basket, however. I would buy that.

 

[Baby Back Maniac]

Yeah, I don't think this is a case of a problem being fixed. With the charcoal basket, I think it's just a better mousetrap...it's bigger and better built and the perfect size to fill half the lower grate yet still pick it up without having to turn it side ways to get past the charcoal grate supports.

I haven't used the SnS for the Summit yet, but I'm looking forward to trying it out. I think the sear will get hotter...but like you, I never had a problem getting the Summit hot. My experience with it is based on my experience with the kettle, I basically just like the consistency. Every cook is pretty much the exact same experience because the SnS is the same size and shape every time...and when the coals burn down, they get closer to together instead of further apart like they do when they not are nestled together.

I can also bang the coals around to clear ash more aggressively. Plus, I surprisingly found I like the water pan for water...which is something I haven't used for 8 years. With the kettle it also insulates the kettle and keeps the heat in the cooker because it gets the coals off the walls which also protects the outside of the kettle from crazing (something I didn't notice until someone mentioned and sure enough, all my kettles have scratch marks where the coals sit.)

I don't now how much of that is in play in the Summit, and I still don't think the Weber Summit "needs" it. However, when I first got it for my 26, I didn't think I needed it then and never really anticipated how much I would end up enjoying it. I'm hoping it will be similar here.

 

[wbzipf]

Well, I am looking forward to watching/reading your review of the SnS for the WSCG.

 

[six501]

Well, I am looking forward to watching/reading your review of the SnS for the WSCG.

Same. Most likely will end up buying them just so I have more random stuff.

 

[4ever3]

I looked at the new KJ last weekend, nice grill and they are using a gasket like the Summit now but I didn't like that the lid had to be latched but maybe that's just me.

Have you heard anything about the Summit being dropped Justin? I heard sales for it are slow and it will probably go away.

 

[six501]

I looked at the new KJ last weekend, nice grill and they are using a gasket like the Summit now but I didn't like that the lid had to be latched but maybe that's just me.

Have you heard anything about the Summit being dropped Justin? I heard sales for it are slow and it will probably go away.

I hope it doesn't go away. Expensive, yes. I really love mine though. Every one who sees it here loves it.

 

[4ever3]

Oh I hope they don't either but time will tell.

I know as of last Christmas there had been 3 sold in the state of Oklahoma.

That won't keep it going...

 

[six501]

That is rough. I know I got a sizable discount on mine with the table. Was delivered and put together and still hundreds less than advertised.

 

[Baby Back Maniac]

Hey Jeremy,
Can you point to anything concrete that I could link to in a video about the Summit being dropped or only selling 3 in Oklahoma?

I've been considering doing an open letter to Weber about the Summit but i need a "reason."

They seemed to do an incredible amount of research on this grill...the features and nuances they added tells me they went straight to BGE owners and asked "What do you like about your grill and what could be improved on?" It's really a better mousetrap. The fact that it's a first year design is kind of mind blowing when you think about it.

But they didn't do enough to manage perceptions. For alot of people it just doesn't look like it's worth what they are asking. On paper, it's really not much of a contest. For example, find me a 24 inch kamado in a table that requires no maintenance to stand up to the sun, rain, or bbq sauce and grease stains for under $2000?

It doesn't exist and that's just ONE thing. But Weber isn't telling people that. They rolled out a grill that looks to a lot of people way too much like a Performer to a customer base that's used to paying <$400 bucks for a charcoal grill and expected to sell based on their name and a month long social media marketing blitz a year ago.

I mean, what did they expect? If it fails it will be sad because it's a great grill and would have died at the hands of the bean counters and not the merits of the product itself.

 

[six501]

Hey Jeremy,
Can you point to anything concrete that I could link to in a video about the Summit being dropped or only selling 3 in Oklahoma?

I've been considering doing an open letter to Weber about the Summit but i need a "reason."

They seemed to do an incredible amount of research on this grill...the features and nuances they added tells me they went straight to BGE owners and asked "What do you like about your grill and what could be improved on?" It's really a better mousetrap. The fact that it's a first year design is kind of mind blowing when you think about it.

But they didn't do enough to manage perceptions. For alot of people it just doesn't look like it's worth what they are asking. On paper, it's really not much of a contest. For example, find me a 24 inch kamado in a table that requires no maintenance to stand up to the sun, rain, or bbq sauce and grease stains for under $2000?

It doesn't exist and that's just ONE thing. But Weber isn't telling people that. They rolled out a grill that looks like an overpriced Performer in pictures to a customer base that's used to paying <$400 bucks for a charcoal grill and expected to sell based on their name.

If it fails it will be sad because it's a great grill and would have died at the hands of the bean counters.

Agreed with this. As a family, we were prepared to pay full retail. The deal was something that was offered to us on it unexpected.

 

[4ever3]

No, no video, I was told that by the guy I bought mine from and that came from the Weber rep.

Really, in the end everything is just a better mousetrap, but your right, you can't buy a mousetrap than the Summit at this point

 

[4ever3]

Hey Jeremy,
Can you point to anything concrete that I could link to in a video about the Summit being dropped or only selling 3 in Oklahoma?

I've been considering doing an open letter to Weber about the Summit but i need a "reason."

They seemed to do an incredible amount of research on this grill...the features and nuances they added tells me they went straight to BGE owners and asked "What do you like about your grill and what could be improved on?" It's really a better mousetrap. The fact that it's a first year design is kind of mind blowing when you think about it.

But they didn't do enough to manage perceptions. For alot of people it just doesn't look like it's worth what they are asking. On paper, it's really not much of a contest. For example, find me a 24 inch kamado in a table that requires no maintenance to stand up to the sun, rain, or bbq sauce and grease stains for under $2000?

It doesn't exist and that's just ONE thing. But Weber isn't telling people that. They rolled out a grill that looks like an overpriced Performer in pictures to a customer base that's used to paying <$400 bucks for a charcoal grill and expected to sell based on their name.

If it fails it will be sad because it's a great grill and would have died at the hands of the bean counters.

Dangit! Accidentally hit the submit button...

Yes! I think the messed up two ways... 1. The rollout was alllll wrong and B. They made it look like a kettle, bad move! I sent a message to the Weber rep (not that it'll make a hill of beans) that if the Summit makes it to the next generation they HAVE to make it look like a traditional kamodo cooker! If you walk into a store uneducated and see the price tag you think "That's the most expensive kettle in the WORLD" when it isn't a kettle at all...

 

[Baby Back Maniac]

Yep...all about perception.

 

[dadsr4]

Dangit! Accidentally hit the submit button...

Yes! I think the messed up two ways... 1. The rollout was alllll wrong and B. They made it look like a kettle, bad move! I sent a message to the Weber rep (not that it'll make a hill of beans) that if the Summit makes it to the next generation they HAVE to make it look like a traditional kamodo cooker! If you walk into a store uneducated and see the price tag you think "That's the most expensive kettle in the WORLD" when it isn't a kettle at all...

That tacky-looking igniter could also be a problem. Looks like an after thought, cheapens the appearance.