Category Archives: Cooking and Recipes

Big Green Egg vs Kamado Joe – 10 Reasons Why the Debate May Finally be Over! But Who Wins?

September 19, 2019 ThatHelpfulDad 1 Comment

Big Green Egg vs Kamado Joe – which is the better kamado? It seems like this debate has been raging for years now, but in light of new product developments, maybe it’s time to wonder: is there finally a clear winner between these kamado giants? And if so, which kamado king will wear the crown?

In this article, we’ll provide a head-to-head comparison of the Big Green Egg vs the Kamado Joe across 10 categories for review as we examine build quality, innovation, owner satisfaction, average reviews, overall price to value, and more, so put your grilling apron on and let’s get cooking!

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Big Green Egg vs Kamado Joe – Current Products

Before we get into the head-to-head comparison, it’s important to know what’s currently available from each kamado manufacturer since recent updates will play a role in our results. As it stands now, here are each company’s latest kamado’s.

Big Green Egg

Big Green Egg currently offers SEVEN sizes of kamados, they are: The Big Green Egg Mini, Minimax, Small, Medium, Large, XLarge, and 2XL.

You can see every version of the BGE lineup on the official “How do you like your Eggs?” webpage where you can check out full specs, cooking grill dimensions, available accessories, etc.

The takeaway here is that Big Green Egg offers a kamado for every need. Additionally, outside of the size variations, but for minor updates over the years, the BGE kamado hasn’t changed much since it’s release in 1974. It’s a quality kamado, beloved in the passionate Egghead Community, and continues to be one of the best selling kamados on the market.

Kamado Joe

Like Big Green Egg, Kamado Joe is a retailer that offers a variety of sizes in its kamado lineup. Currently on it’s third major update, the Kamado Joe III lineup is comprised of 3 versions: the Kamado Joe Classic III, Big Joe III, and Pro Joe III. There is also the Kamado Joe Junior.

Additionally, prior versions of the Kamado Joe lineup (particularly the wildly popular Kamado Joe II variations are still widely being sold).

The takeaway here is that, although Kamado Joe doesn’t offer the same breath of size variations as the Big Green Egg, Kamado Joe does offer the most popular size options AND has continued to innovate the kamado technology itself over the years. We’ll see the impact of this in our head-to-head ratings below.

10 Head to Head Comparisons of Big Green Egg vs Kamado Joe

In this section we’ll compare the Big Green Egg vs Kamado Joe kamados across the spectrum of 10 categories. Our goal is to see which kamado maker will emerge as the winner of this long debate.

Who will wear the crown as King of the Kamado’s?

Let’s find out!

1 – History

The concept of kamado cooking is said to have originated in China over 3,000 years ago and KamadoJim has a great little writeup about the history of the kamado grill. It seems that after World War II, American GI’s brought the kamado grill concept to the US and then in 1974 it was commercialized by a US Serviceman named Ed Fisher who launched The Big Green Egg brand in Atlanta, GA.

Conversely, Kamado Joe didn’t come onto the market until 2009 and although the brand has captured a large chuck of the kamado market since then, it doesn’t have near the history of the Big Green Egg.

Winner: Big Green Egg

2 – Build Quality

Kamados have become so popular that the marketplace is filled with all sorts of kamados – you see them everywhere now and it seems like everyone and their brother has a knockoff version to sell you.

Don’t be fooled into buying a lesser quality kamado – not only may you have problems with the lifespan of the ceramic (i.e. the exterior kamado shell that holds in the heat), or the firebox (interior rings) may crack, or it may not cook evenly, or the kamado company may go out of business all together!

Instead understand that the purchase of a kamado is an investment – an investment into your personal cooking enjoyment and your family’s outdoor lifestyle. Buy a quality kamado and you can expect it to last for a decade or more. Buy a crappy one and you may well have to replace it in a year or two.

BOTH the Big Green Egg and the Kamado Joe are classified in the industry as top of the line kamados for a reason – they are both well built and capable of providing superior performance over the long term.

This is not to say that the Big Green Egg and Kamado Joe haven’t had minor quality control issues in the past, they have. However both companies have continued to improve their products to fix those issues (building with better quality ceramics, improving the hinges, creating a new firebox, etc, etc). As a result, both companies have developed a reputation for high end build quality.

Winner: TIE

3 – Popularity

Given that Big Green Egg has been on the market since 1974 and the Kamado Joe brand is still only about a decade old, there’s really no comparison on this one – ARMIES of EGGHEADS cannot be denied and I wouldn’t dare to argue with them.

Consider these articles about the Big Green Egg Phenomenon…

“How The Big Green Egg Became so Popular” – Atlanta Magazine
“The Cult of the Big Green Egg” – NY Times
“Here’s Why the Big Green Egg Attracts a Loyal Following” – TB Times

Additionally there are countless online forums, Facebook groups, and Reddit threads about the Big Green Egg, and while Kamado Joe has some forums, Facebook groups, and Reddit threads, there’s really no comparison – Big Green Egg still appears to be the most popular brand of kamado in the US.

BTW, another quirky way you can tell is by looking at the swag that people buy on Amazon – there’s a ton for Big Green Egg and not much for Kamado Joe…yet.

Winner – Big Green Egg

4 – Owner Satisfaction AND Brand Loyalty

Gee whiz, it looks like the battle of Big Green Egg vs Kamado Joe isn’t much of a contest is it? So far the BGE is running away with this. Should we just crown BGE and be done with it?

Not so fast, because here’s where things start to get interesting.

When it comes to Owner Satisfaction, both Kamado Joe and Big Green Egg claim top spots in the kamado community and owner satisfaction is very high for both brands. Whichever brand you buy you’ll probably end up being satisfied too (at least in terms of overall quality if not overall price to value, but more on that below).

HOWEVER, when it comes to brand loyalty, one thing we can clearly see in the online world is that…

LOTS of people end up switching from Big Green Egg to Kamado Joe, but not many seem to switch from Kamado Joe to Big Green Egg.

I’m guessing the very reason YOU are reading this article is because you’re trying to decide between the two brands. Even the Egghead forums are filled with this question and if you peruse through the threads you’ll see countless stories about how loyal Eggheads made the switch to Kamado Joe (here’s one example of many) and are very happy. You can also find numerous articles online from folks who’ve debated the question and ended up deciding in favor of the Kamado Joe (for example, this article, and this one).

Perhaps the best testament to this is that, in less than a decade, Kamado Joe has become a fierce rival to Big Green Egg and the phrase “Big Green Egg vs Kamado Joe” is one of the most popular search term when people shop for a kamado.

Because of all these trends, I would submit to you that Owner Satisfaction is likely a TIE between the two brands, but Brand Loyalty swings in favor of the Kamado Joe (because again, many people have switched from BGE to KJ, but you rarely hear about the switch from KJ to BGE).

Winner: Kamado Joe

5 – Innovation of the Kamado

As we discussed above in the first two categories, both Big Green Egg and Kamado Joe have spearheaded innovations in the kamado market. Ed Fisher and his Big Green Egg company are one of the big reasons why kamados have become so popular in the US and Mr. Fisher was one of the first to turn the 3,000 year old kamado concept into a commercialized product as a result of his innovative ideas. Over the years, Big Green Egg has continued to improve its product (with stronger ceramics, a patented vent door and hinge cap, updated hinges, and more). As such we would be remiss if we didn’t give the Big Green Egg its due as a leading innovator in the kamado world.

As for Kamado Joe, from the early days of the company, it sought to compete with Big Green Egg by producing at least a similar kamado cooker (thus the Kamado Joe Classic 1st Generation – which used to come in red or black). But since it’s launch in 2009, Kamado Joe hasn’t been satisfied with merely producing a similar product – instead the company has continued to innovate in order to try to create a superior kamado.

Kamado Joe has done more innovations of the overall kamado itself in the last 10 years than Big Green Egg has done in over 40.

Consider the following innovations just to the kamado cooker that Kamado Joe is responsible for…

Divide and Conquer Flexible Cooking System – an incredible feature that allowed us to cook both indirect and direct at the same time;
Kontrol Tower Top Vent – for more precise temperature control and better rain/moisture intrusion prevention.
Multi-panel Firebox – to help prevent cracks in the interior fire box.
Counterbalanced Air Lift Hinge – a safety feature that helps prevent the heavy lid from falling and cracking a problem that used to plague Big Green Eggs.
Slide-out Ash Drawer – for easier cleaning.
The New SlōRoller redesign as part of the Kamado Joe III launch that is designed to perfect the taste and texture of food on low-and-slow cooks.

In fact the new Kamado Joe III is such a game changer in terms of innovation of the kamado cooker that the launch of this product alone may well push the scales in favor of Kamado Joe.

You can read my full review of the new Kamado Joe III here…

For all these reasons, we must conclude…

Winner: Kamado Joe

6 – Innovation of Accessories

This category too offers little competition.

Nobody can argue that Kamado Joe has produced more impactful accessory innovations than Big Green Egg.

This is not to say that Big Green Egg doesn’t have great accessories because they do and you can read about 200+ Big Green Egg accessories in this article. However Kamado Joe is the KING of Kamado Accessories.

Here are just a few GAME-CHANGER Accessories that Kamado Joe is responsible for (click any pick to learn more)…

Kamado Joe Divide and Conquer — Kamado Joe Flexible Cooking System

And we haven’t even mentioned the wide variation of cooking surfaces that Kamado Joe offers that go beyond just the standard stainless steel grates most kamados come with.

Kamado Joe has innovated all of the following…

The Kamado Joe Cast Iron Grates
The Kamado Joe Cast Iron Griddle
The Kamado Joe Soapstone Surface
The Kamado Joe Laser Cut Stainless Steel Fish & Vegetable Surface
The Kamado Joe Wok
The Kamado Joe Pizza Stone

The Kamado Joe accessories are so popular that Egghead Forums are filled with articles about Big Green Egg owners retrofitting their eggs in order to use Kamado Joe accessories in their BGE’s.

In addition to the cooking accessories, Kamado Joe has a boatload of other accessories including some great “Big Block” Lump Charcoal, an Ash Basket, a handy electric Firestarter, and more and more and more.

So who’s the winner of the kamado accessories innovation category?

Winner: Kamado Joe

7 – Availability

The score is currently 3-2 in favor of Kamado Joe vs Big Green Egg. Is Kamado Joe gonna run away with this game now? Ah, not so fast.

One of the reasons why Big Green Egg is still so popular is that you can find the Big Green Egg in more places – from big box stores to pool supply stores to outdoor kitchen makers and scores of local shops, it seems like Big Green Egg is everywhere. In a 15 mile radius of my house in the Tampa area there are more than 10 dealers selling the Big Green Egg. For Kamado Joe there are only 3.

In fact, there are so many retailers selling the Big Green Egg that the company has them ranked by service capabilities using Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum rankings.

To find a Big Green Egg dealer in your area you can use this search tool.
To find a Kamado Joe dealer in your area, you can use this search tool.

But the story doesn’t end with just brick and mortar stores – after all, we live in an online shopping world don’t we? And yet, but for the occassiona l special packages offered by BGE, normally can’t buy the Big Green Egg online.

Kamado Joe is far easier to find online. In fact you can shop on Amazon at the Kamado Joe Amazon Store or find the brand many other online retailers which is very convenient.

So the bottom line here is that Big Green Egg rules the ‘shop in person’ world, while Kamado Joe rules the online world. The result then is…

Winner: TIE

8 – Summary of Respected Reviewers

If you’re read my blog before, you know I don’t claim to be something I’m not – I’m just an Average Joe like you and the purpose of this blog is to share ‘practical solutions to real life problems.’ Since most people are not made of money, if you’re considering spending a grand or more on buying a kamado, then you’ll probably want to do your research like I did and you’ll want some honest answers to the Big Green Egg vs Kamado Joe question.

I’ve written a separate article about my personal viewpoint on the debate, but one of the things I try to do on this blog is provide you with links to OTHER quality reviews and opinions. I think that’s relevant to our head-to-head debate here too. Here are some of the most popular opinion pieces on Google that talk about the Big Green Egg vs Kamado Joe question…

BBQ Guys: Big Green Egg vs Kamado Joe (Winner: Tie)
BBQDryRubs: The Best Kamado (Winner: Kamado Joe)
Exchange Bar & Grill : Kamado Joe vs Big Green Egg (Winner: Kamado Joe)
GrillItRight: Kamado Joe vs Big Green Egg (Winner: Kamado Joe)
BBQ Queens: Kamado Joe vs Big Green Egg (Winner: Kamado Joe)
SeriouslySmoked: Big Green Egg vs Kamado Joe Review (Winner: Kamado Joe)

It seems pretty clear…

Winner: Kamado Joe

9 – Customer Complaints

You can’t be a market leader without having some customer complaints. Both Big Green Egg and Kamado Joe have had a few over the years.

Here’s a look of Big Green Egg complaints.
Here’s a look at Kamado Joe complaints.

Both Kamado Joe and Big Green Egg are known for providing top notch customer support in the event of an issue and both feature some of the best warranties in the kamado market.

Here is the Big Green Egg Warranty Info and their Customer Support Contact info.
Here is the Kamado Joe Warranty info and their Customer Support Contact info.

Winner: Tie

10 – Overall Price to Value

We’ve made it to the last head-to-head comparison category, perhaps the most important one of all – in the battle of Big Green Egg vs Kamado Joe which kamado offers the best price to value?

One of the ways that Kamado Joe captured so much of the kamado market from Big Green Egg is because Kamado Joe not only priced their comparable size kamados well below the price of a similar Big Green Egg, but Kamado Joe also provided a number of free accessories with its grills (including the amazing Divide and Conquer cooking system, nest, ash tool, and more).

Since then Big Green Egg prices have come down. Although if you review the forums noted above that talked about the Big Green Egg vs Kamado Joe debate, you’ll see that most people still feel that Kamado Joe offers the better overall value.

Now it should be noted that with the release of the Kamado Joe III, the prices for Kamado Joes of a similar size are now higher in some cases than a Big Green Egg, HOWEVER it’s important to see what’s included in the package.

Kamado Joe III’s come standard with the SloRoller insert, the Divide and Conquer Cooking System, Ash Basket, Ash Tools, Kontrol Tower, Heat Deflectors, and more.
If you went with a Big Green Egg of comparable size, you’d have to buy some, if not all, of these highly useful accessories after the fact (which could add as much as $500 or more to your purchase price).

When we talk in terms of Price to Value, this is the reason most people switch from the Big Green Egg to the Kamado Joe…

The fact is that Kamado Joe gives you more of what you really need in your kamado (particularly in terms of the ability to cook in a wider variety of ways out of the box without the need to retrofit anything).

Because of these factors, the winner of price to value is…

Winner: Kamado Joe

Who is the Overall Winner – Big Green Egg or Kamado Joe?

If you’re keeping score in our Big Green Egg vs Kamado Joe 10 Head-to-Head Comparisons, it ends up as 5 wins for Kamado Joe, 2 for Big Green Egg, and 3 Ties.

Now as I’ve written about before, whether you purchase a Kamado Joe or a Big Green Egg, you’ll probably be happy. Both kamado’s are superior options in the world of kamado cooking. Over the years I’ve purchased both a Big Green Egg and a Kamado Joe and I do like them both, HOWEVER last year I ended up giving my Big Green Egg away to a neighbor and now cook exclusively on my Kamado Joe.

Why did I give away my Egg?

Because I just wasn’t using it as much as my Kamado Joe.

With all the innovations that are built in to the Kamado Joe it’s just an easier to use kamado.

That counts for something in my book. I got tired of fiddling around with retrofitting the Egg to make it work like a Kamado Joe.

I just want to cook and Kamado Joe allows me to cook on a kamado grill easier than a Big Green Egg does.

And with the amazing new innovations of the Kamado Joe III, there really is no longer any debate.

The Kamado Joe is the KING OF KAMADO GRILLS.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

What about YOU?

Share This Article

If you liked this article and want to share it, here are some shareable images you can use to help others read about the Big Green Egg vs Kamado Joe debate. Enjoy!

What to Read Next?

Kamado Joe, Product Reviews

Kamado Joe III – Classic III & Big Joe III – Reviews, Prices, Comparisons & More

August 4, 2019 ThatHelpfulDad Leave a comment

Kamado Joe III is here as Kamado Joe continues to innovate. Their latest revolutionary new products are the Kamado Joe Classic III and Big Joe III – the first of their kind kamados to feature a SlōRoller Hyperbolic Smoke Chamber. In this article we’ll review the Kamado Joe III, provide comparisons vs other popular kamados, check current prices, and give you links to learn more. Let’s get cooking.

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Kamado Joe III Quick Look

Official Kamado Joe Classic III Intro

I. What is the Kamado Joe III?

The Kamado Joe III is the newest line of kamados from the Kamado Joe company – one of the most popular manufacturers of kamados in the US and by far the most innovative kamado company. In addition to their kamado grills, prior innovations from Kamado Joe that have revolutionized the kamado industry include:

The Divide and Conquer Flexible Cooking System
A variety of easy to use Cooking Surface inserts
The JoeTisserie kamado rotisserie
The DoJoe – an accessory that turns your kamado into a wood-fired pizza making machine
The iKamand remote pit master temp control tool
and much more

The Kamado Joe III builds upon this tradition of innovation with a newly redesigned kamado that has been resized to the ideal specifications necessary to maximize the value of the all revolutionary new SlōRoller Hyperbolix Smoke Chamber.

The Kamado Joe III’s new longer size leverages the power of Harvard science to transforms a Kamado Joe^® into one of the world’s most optimal smokers.

Kamado Joe says that by distributing smoke and heat in rolling, recirculating waves, the SlōRoller is able to surround your food in ‘clouds of delicious smoke’ while evenly distributing heat. The end result is enhanced flavor and significantly reduced hot spots.

To learn even more about how the SloRoller works, visit the Kamado Joe SloRoller FAQ Page.

FAQ’s and Harvard Science tech is great but I’m just an Average Joe like you. I care about how the Kamado Joe III works for my cooks. I’m sure you do too. So let’s take a look at the Kamado Joe III in action with KJ chef John Setzler making some SloRoller Chicken…

What else is new about the Kamado Joe III?

The major update to the Kamado Joe is the longer body and the SloRoller insert, however that’s not all that’s new in the Kamado Joe III.

You’ll still enjoy all the things you loved with the Kamado Joe II like the air-lift hinge, 3-Tier Divide and Conquer Cooking System, the Kontrol Tower top vent, the Stainless Steel cooking racks that come standard, the powder-coated aluminum side shelves, and the multi-panel firebox, however the Kamado Joe III also comes with:

A newly designed nest (in the form of a heavy-duty aluminum rolling cart with a bottom storage shelf);
a free Kamado Joe ash basket to maximize airflow around your lump charcoal (as well as the slide-out ash basket and ash tool from the KJ II).
You can see the full specs on the Kamado Joe III at the bottom of this page.

What sizes does the Kamado Joe III come in?

The Kamado Joe II comes in three sizes so far. They are…

Kamado Joe Classic III

Kamado Joe Big Joe III

Kamado Joe Pro Joe III

II. What’s the Difference between the Kamado Joe III vs the Kamado Joe II?

We discussed the major differences between the Kamado Joe II vs the Kamado Joe II above, but since I know nobody really reads a full blog article nowadays and instead scans to the parts they want, let’s talk about it again. (BTW if you DID read the above then just skip ahead – wait, isn’t that the problem?!?)

So what’s the Kamado Joe III vs the Kamado Joe II – what’s the difference?

It’s simple really…

The Kamado Joe III features a longer body that is designed to house the new SloRoller Hyperbolic Chamber Smoke insert – the SloRoller for low and slow bbq cooking and promises enhanced flavor and fewer hot spots.

Here’s what the difference looks like on the Kamado Joe Classic III vs the Classic II..

Kamado Joe Classic II

Kamado Joe Classic III

How does the SloRoller work?

This screen shot from the Kamado Joe website gives us a great idea of the ‘flow’ of smoke and heat in the Kamado Joe III using the SloRoller insert. Click the pic to see a larger view…

Besides the SloRoller insert, the Kamado Joe III also includes a more heavy-duty nest (with bottom shelf) and a free ash basket. Otherwise the Kamado Joe III is very similar to the Kamado Joe II.

In terms of the size difference, the Kamado Joe Classic III is nearly 3 inches taller than the Kamado Joe Classic II and the Kamado Joe Big Joe III is over 4 inches taller than the Kamado Joe Big Joe II.

These size differences may be important to note if you are trying to include the Kamado Joe III into a built-in kitchen or custom kamado table.

The CeramicGrillStore has a nice comparison chart if you want to see the full spec differences of the Kamado Joe III vs the Kamado Joe II. Or you can view them in detail on Kamado Joe’s site.

III. Kamado Joe III vs the Big Green Egg

This really isn’t a fair comparison. The Kamado Joe III features far and away more innovation than the Big Green Egg. However that doesn’t mean the Big Green Egg is a bad kamado. The fact is that the Big Green Egg is still one of the best kamados on the market today – you don’t remain a market leader in the kamado industry by producing a bad product. Big Green Egg’s are an awesome kamado (in fact I own both a BGE and an KJ) and you really can’t go wrong with either one.

Here’s a side by side of the Big Green Egg Large vs the Kamado Joe Classic III…

Big Green Egg Large

Kamado Joe Classic III

Did you know?

The Big Green Egg can also be retrofitted to use many of the Kamado Joe innovations (for example you can use the Flexible Cooking System in a BGE and then use the Kamado Joe cooking inserts, you can put a JoeTisserie in your BGE or a DoeJoe, and you’ll probably be able to put the SloRoller insert in your BGE eventually too. Big Green Eggs are great and as a fellow Egghead I’m raising my beer to the BGE brand.

So should you just buy a Big Green Egg?

I’m not saying that. If you do, you’ll probably be happy. However, why not get the KJ III?

Seriously, let’s call a spade a spade, right? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that…

With all the many innovations designed by Kamado Joe specifically for use in a Kamado Joe grill, the Kamado Joe III is the perfect kamado to make the most of all these great accessories.

And if you buy into the Harvard science tech behind the redesign of the ceramic housing of the Kamado Joe III in order to take full advantage of the SloRoller smoke chamber, then you’ll be buying a Kamado Joe III yourself.

What’s the bottom line on the BGE vs KJ III?

Don’t overthink it – unless you are in love with green, get the Kamado Joe III and get cookin’!

IV. Reviews of the Kamado Joe III

You’ve pretty much already ready our review of the Kamado Joe III – we love it and are confident you will too.

That said, if you’re like me, you probably like to read reviews from multiple trusted sources. This product is still quite new so there’s not a lot of reviews out there, but here are a few we found helpful…

BBQ Guys Kamado Joe III Review
Ceramic Grill Store – Kamado Joe III Review
KamadoGuru Forum Discussion of Kamado Joe III

Here’s another helpful video from KJ’s John Setzler featuring a full walk-around and assembly of the Kamado Joe III. As a bonus he even cooks a boston butt!

Should you upgrade to the Kamado Joe III?

When considering upgrading from an old model of a great product you already love to a new model, it’s usually a tough question. For example, moving from the Kamado Joe Classic I or Big Green Egg Large to the Kamado Joe Classic II was indeed a tough call – the KJ I and BGE were already great kamados, so unless you really wanted the safety of the KJ II’s air-lift hinge or you needed a new firebox, etc, you might have had a hard time justifying the upgrade if your existing KJ I or BGE was still working well.

But in this case, I think the upgrade question is far more in play.

The Kamado Joe III ain’t your daddy’s kamado.

The SloRoller redesign really is a game changer and makes an upgrade far more justifiable if you are in the market again.

If you use your kamado to do a lot of low and slow bbq cooking, then you’ll really benefit from the Kamado Joe III being specifically designed for the SloRoller Smoke Chamber (check out that SloRoller Chicken vid again and see what I mean).

If you have the funds and you want the best kamado on the market today, then buy the Kamado Joe III. Then send me a pic of all the great food you’re cooking – no better yet invite me over for a brew and some wings.

Can you buy the SlōRoller Hyperbolic Smoke Chamber as an accessory for another Kamado Joe?

Actually you can – or you will be able to soon. Kamado Joe plans to release the SloRoller insert as an accessory you can use to retrofit your older Kamado Joe (or Big Green Egg).

You can sign up to be notified from Kamado Joe when the SloRoller is available or check back with us when we have it in stock at LordoftheGrills.

The only caveat is this – Kamado Joe specifically says that when you put a SloRoller in anything other than the Kamado Joe III “it may not perform as well [because the SloRoller] insert is optimized for the shapes and sizes” of the Classic III and Big Joe III.

That could be marketing puffery or it could be true. I guess it comes down to this – if you have the money, you’ll be able to enjoy the full benefits of the SloRoller by using it inside a Kamado Joe III. If you don’t want to upgrade, then it’s nice knowing you can still buy a SloRoller for your older Kamado Joe Classic, Big Joe, or Big Green Egg.

V. Kamado Joe III Current Prices

Kamado Joe Classic III

Kamado Joe Big Joe III

Kamado Joe Pro Joe III

Kamado Joe III – It’s YOUR Call

Well, what’s YOUR verdict? Have you bought the Kamado Joe III yet or will you be buying one soon?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Cheers!

~Pitmaster Mike

Kamado Joe Accessories

If you want recommedations for the best accessories to buy for your Kamado Joe, check out this article from That Helpful Dad…

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Recipes

Slow Cooker Chicken Breast Recipe

August 1, 2019 ThatHelpfulDad Leave a comment

If you’re a fan of home cooked meals that are easy to make and taste delicious, you’ll enjoy today’s tip – a recipe for healthy Chicken Breast in the Slow Cooker by our friend Clara Holtz of the TheFryerHouse.com.

Editor’s Note: This article is written by Clara Holtz – a part-time guest blogger and administrator of TheFryerHouse.com. Clara and the team at TheFryerHouse.com work to provide honest and accurate articles and reviews on all things relating to Airfryers. ThatHelpfulDad.com is happy to be able to share Clara’s recipe with you today. I enjoyed reading her recipe and felt like I was transported into her kitchen as she was making this dish. Keep up the good work, Clara.

Introduction

Knock! Knock!!

Wait, don’t open that door! You could get a pie your face! 🙂 Instead let’s get straight to the kitchen so that we can get something amazing done today.

Let’s use our slow cooker and make an easy and delicious chicken breast recipe.

I love to cook my chicken breast in broth in a slow cooker. Why? Because no significant culinary skill is required and and using a slow cooker makes sure the meat is evenly cooked. As a matter of fact, I like cooking my chicken breasts in broth in my crockpot before any other thing. I often use my slow cooker to cook my butchered chicken breast meat for 4hrs-6hrs, depending on the time frame I prefer for that day.

The result of making chicken in the slow cooker? It’s awesome and my children love to eat it — that makes me happy too because I know this recipe is healthy for them.

The Setting

Gone are the days that my family and I slave over our stove to make dinner. Now, I prefer my slow cooker because it’s safer and I can multitask (that means more time with family and friends). Just set the preset on the crockpot and let it work it’s magic. What could be easier?

You do have a crockpot, right? I’m sure you do but just in case you need a new one or you’re looking for some top-notch features, check out these picks from Amazon…

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What’s great about slow cookers like this is that they’re well built, have loads of presets to make cooking easier, and can be operated intuitively. Just be sure to read the manual so you understand how to use your crockpot safely. Once you know how to operate your slow cooker, you can preset the functions, and take a break with your family and friends.

But enough about crockpots – let’s get to the recipe!

If you make this dish, I know you’ll enjoy it. You won’t believe how easy this recipe.

Are you ready? Oh yeah, let’s do this!

Preparation

First of all, we need to make sure the kitchen is sanitized including the cooking utensils (let’s keep our family safe, right?).

Next, let’s take a look at the ingredients….

Slow Cooker Chicken Breast Recipe Ingredients

3 lbs of chicken breast meat.
2-4 tablespoon of butter.
¼ quart chicken broth
2-3 pinches of salt.
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon of garlic
¼ grounded pepper.
Pinch of paprika
sprig of rosemary to garnish
Slow cooker.

Tip: The amounts per seasoning are a guide – if you like more bold flavors then double the amounts of onion and garlic.

Once you have these ingredients, it’s time to take our focus to this super easy preparation process.

How to Prepare Slow Cooker Chicken Breast Recipe

1-Rinse the chicken

Would you like to sear the meat before or after you cook it in the crockpot? You can do that if you prefer, but it’s not really necessary, however I do recommend that you rinse the meat first. Here’s what I do to ensure my chicken is cleaned…

Pour the meat in an empty bowl, take the bowl to the faucet, and while the water is running, pick up each of the chicken breasts and use your fingers to remove any stuck on blood or other bits you want to remove. Then pat dry.

2-Preparation & Seasoning

I properly arranged the meats in the crockpot then fill the crockpot with the seasoning ingredients. I make sure that the seasonings are mixed around and then I add the chicken broth. (As an alternative, I also sometimes steam the chicken breast with the seasoning in the slow cooker for about 30 minutes before I add the broth. Both ways are fine and I encourage you to experiment to see which you like better). Most of the time I add the seasoning, chicken, and broth all at the same time and that’s what we’re doing today.

At this point I’ll add in the butter. I think you need at least 2 Tablespoons of butter, although I prefer to use 4 tablespoons (and sometimes even more – ssshhhh!).

There is just something about butter and what it does to your cooking. Do you know what I mean?
BTW, if you use margarine, write me a comment below. I would love to see what you have to say and don’t forget to tell me how you make your dish magical.

With your ingredients added, it should look something like this.

3-Cooking in the crockpot

The aim is that never overcook the chicken breast. So put this into consideration whenever you’re setting the time for your slow cooker.

Avoid timing it for a long period of time unless you want the meat to be overly juicy because you’re looking to shred it for a particular dish. Personally I like to serve these chicken breasts whole so my family and I don’t cook it too long.

Usually I set the time to 4 hours.

Important tip: one thing I don’t do is continually opening the cover of the slow cooker. This will let all the steam escape and ruin your cooks. It’s ok to check once or twice but I’d rather wait until the time elapsed and let the slow cooker work its magic.

Once the time is reached, I then check the meat by stirring the chicken breasts so as to ensure that the flavors are evenly distributed.

4- The Final Evaluation – Does the Family like it?

As the cook, before you serve this dish, you’ll want to check that the chicken breasts are up to your preferred temperature (165F) and then taste the meat (and that lovely broth) to decide if you’ve hit the mark. You may need to add some salt to taste, drizzle on some EVOO, or perhaps add a sprig of rosemary to garnish like in my pic above.

Once you open the lid of the crockpot I’m sure your family will notice the aroma – it’s sure to steal the show!

After you’ve cooked your chicken breast to your satisfaction, scoop the meat out (with that broth!) and serve it with your favorite sides. (Might I suggest some green beans along with some air fried potato wedges?)

Conclusion

Wasn’t this recipe easy? Definitely!

Best of all, if you don’t finish all the chicken for dinner, you can store in the refrigerator – that means another meal is already done. Bonus!

Another tip: if you are storing the chicken for later, I’d recommend you separate out the broth – you can use it later for all kinds of soups and to flavor other side dishes.

Well, what are you waiting for? Go make the recipe for easy slow cooker chicken breast, then come back and and let me know what you think. I’ll be looking forward to seeing your comments.

~Clara

What’s That? You Need a Slow Cooker?

If you’re in the market for a new crockpot, check out these highly-rated picks on Amazon…

What to Read Next?

In the mood for something new? Don’t miss our story about the cookbook Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat. Or try these articles on for size…

Stranger Things Season 3 Questions — 10 Questions about Stranger Things Season 3

Outdoor Kitchens, Product Reviews

Best Kamado Grill Tables

July 1, 2019 ThatHelpfulDad Leave a comment

Best Kamado Grill Tables – Unless you built a custom kitchen and had a stand-alone kamado installed, I’m guessing that when you first bought your Big Green Egg, Kamado Joe, Primo, or similar kamado-style grill you probably got it ‘in the nest.’ That was fine for awhile, but now I’m guessing you’ve discovered the nest just doesn’t give you enough work space to grill like you want to. Am I right? You probably also want something that looks a bit cooler too. Are we on the same page yet? And maybe you want something that has a bottle opener so you can drink a few brews while you’re grillin’. Sound about right?

In short, you want a custom table for your kamado so you can go from this…

To this!

@ Posh Patios – Gotta love those waterfall additions!

OK, so maybe you don’t need the waterfalls, but you get the idea…

Why do you want a Kamado Grill Table?

A table for your kamado will give more space to cook, more space for your accessories, more space for everything!

I. Best Kamado Tables for < $750

Let’s face it, owning a kamado and being able to afford all the accessories you want is enough to bankrupt anybody, right? So if money is a bit tight, you might think you can’t afford a kamado table – think again. Here are some great options for really affordable prices.

In fact, our #1 most-recommended option is actually in this price range!

If you want a metal or stainless steel cart…

If money is really tight, you might consider the Titan Great Outdoors kamado table – if your kamado fits, this could be a nice option to get more space. This table is made from aluminum.

Meanwhile, the Only Fire Stainless Steel Table Top Kamado Cart is a regular fan favorite – it fits a wide variety of standard size kamado’s (with the big exception of the post-2017 Kamado Joe’s that have the airlift hinge). Only Fire is a well-known BBQ grilling brand with a quality reputation for third-party grilling items. Check out the Only Fire Amazon Storefront here.

If you want a kamado grill table made from wood…

Most custom kamado grill tables are made from wood (usually cypress, pine, or cedar). Prices go way up depending on how you want to customize things, but for most people (especially if this is your first kamado table), we think the JJ George Kamado Tables are a cut above the rest. Most of the JJ George kamado tables are:

Made from red cedar wood;
Already coated with clear spar-urethane coat so they’re ready for years of outdoor use.
Come equipped with caster/wheels so you can still move them around.
Consistently highly rated on Amazon.
Made in the USA

These 5 features are sometimes hard to find on kamado tables for twice the price – yet JJ George kamado tables include them standard. Better yet, JJ George has custom kamado tables pre-cut for most major kamado brands. And some of their tables even include a free cover – that’s about a $50-100 value depending on the size of the table and one less thing you have to worry about.

Because of all these features, we believe the JJ George Kamado Tables are the best value for most people who don’t need a lot of customizations.

Here are some examples our favorite JJ George kamado tables…

Click the pic to learn about the Big Green Egg Kamado Table by JJ George

Heck JJ George even makes a table for the Kamado Joe JUNIOR edition….

If you have a Kamado Joe Junior….

Now you can finally have a custom table for your KJ Junior!

II. Best Kamado Tables for $750 – $1500

In this price range we’re now talking about tables that are sometimes more costly than the kamado grill itself. That’s a problem for most people, however if you have the money, the benefit of spending a bit more is you’ll usually be able to…

Get more customization options (doors, handles, logos, inlays, etc)
Get a larger size table
Have a wider variety of woods to choose from.
Have it delivered already fully-built.
Get that bottle cap opener!

Up in this range, you may benefit from checking Etsy – you’ll find a lot of woodworkers there who are doing some cool things with kamado tables. The three big names on Etsy for kamado tables are RusticWoodWorx, Mr2WoodWorking, and McVeyMadeWoodWorx.

I’ve personally purchased from RusticWoodWorx and I can tell you they do quality work. Ask for Janet and tell them “Mike Stoppa sent you.” Here’s one of the tables they did for me…

kamado grill table from Etsy — Mike’s KJ Table

The great thing about buying on Etsy is that you can do LOTS of customization. The bad thing is that it will cost you quite a bit, it will take a bit of time, and you’ll also probably have to pay $200-500 in shipping or more. But, if you can afford it, you’ll likely love it.

Meanwhile, if you don’t need something quite as macked out as Etsy offered and/or you don’t want to wait a month to get it, then consider these options from Amazon…

If you want a Stainless Steel Table…

RMP has a couple in this category. They are as follows (with the main difference being the upper work space)…

They are the…

Alternatively, if you are looking for something a bit more permanent and perhaps designing a BBQ Island, you may want a kamado sleeve. If so, the Blaze Brand kamado sleeve is a quality option.

Blaze Kamado Sleeve

Or get the Blaze Kamado AND Table like this…

You can get the Blaze Stainless Steel table AND Blaze kamado

Or you could look at the 4 Life Outdoor Kamado Cabinet.

If you want a wooden kamado table…

I’d be checking Etsy for a wooden table because of the great variety in this price range, but here’s a few on Amazon too…

J S Designs makes a beautiful Big Green Egg Cabinet that includes a drop leaf shelf on the side.

Primo Grills makes a cypress counter top table perfect for oval kamado’s like the Primo’s.

III. Best Kamado Grill Tables > $1500

If you’re a big spender and/or want lots of customizations and/or you just have a larger grill (read Kamado Joe Big Joe, Big Green Egg XL, Kamado Kamodo, etc) then this is the category for you.

I’m going to again refer you to Etsy because you’ll find some great work in this price range, but if you wanna buy something faster here’s one from Amazon…

Castle Stove makes a fairly big stainless steel kamado table…

Outside of that, if you’re going to spend this much money, you may want to just design an outdoor kitchen and/or island grill station. Check out our giant selection of Island Outdoor Kitchens here…

More Kamado Accessories

Well, that about wraps up this article. If there’s a custom kamado table we missed that YOU really like, let us know in the comments below.

Meanwhile, here’s a couple more articles you may enjoy…

Big Green Egg Best Accessories — Best Accessories for BGE Newbies

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Cooking and Recipes, Kamado Joe, Recipes

10 Best Kamado Grill Cookbooks

June 26, 2019 ThatHelpfulDad Leave a comment

Kamado Grill Cookbooks – this page features our Top 10 recommendations for the best cookbooks for your kamado, whether you own a Big Green Egg, Kamado Joe, Primo, or similar kamado style grill. You’ll find our picks for people who are new to the world of kamado cooking as well as other books we believe are great for more experienced users – in short there is something for everyone. So who’s hungry for some knowledge? Cookbook-style!

Best Kamado Grill Cookbooks for BEGINNERS

Cooking on your kamado grill can be a zen-like experience (or) it can be super frustrating – this usually depends on if you know what you’re doing.

The fact is that there IS a learning curve with your kamado grills and the sooner you realize this the faster you can advance through it.

These following three books are not just awesome cookbooks from a recipe standpoint but they’re actually great ‘user manuals’ that will help you learn the craft of kamado cooking faster.

The first 3 books on our list are…

Smoke It Like a Pro by Eric Mitchell
Hot Coals by Jereon Hazebroek
The Kamado Smoker and Grill Cookbook by Chris Grove

BONUS: Eric Mitchell’s first “Smoke it Like a Pro” book has been so popular, he published a follow-up called “More BBQ & Grilling for the Big Green Egg.”

Best Cookbooks for Big Green Egg Owners

If you own a BGE, you may want a Big Green Egg specific cookbook. Eric Mitchell’s Smoke it Like a Pro (above) has a BGE focus but if you may also like…

4. The Official “Big Green Egg Cookbook” by Big Green Egg
5. Ray Lampe’s “Big Green Egg Cookbook: Grill, Smoke, Bake & Roast“

Best Kamado Grill Cookbooks – 100+ Recipes

AFTER you’ve checked out the recommendations above (which also have some great recipes), if you’re looking for kamado cookbooks with LOTS of recipes, here’s a couple books to consider…

6. JJ Boston’s “Go Kamado“
7. Fred Thompson’s “The Kamado Grill Cookbook“

Best Kamado Cookbooks for Experienced Users

If you’re already a pro on your kamado but still looking to up your game to keep the “Best Cook in the Neighborhood” Crown then the following books are for you. To be honest, kamado cooks of ANY level will benefit from the knowledge in these books but experienced users will SOAR with the wisdom in these pages.

Yes, it’s true these three books are not ‘only’ for kamado grilling, but the techniques taught here can definitely be used on your kamado and anyone who’s applied them to their kamado cooking can attest to this. Use the tips in these books and get your kamado grilling to the next level – then you can thank me with some BBQ!

8. Meathead Goldwyn’s “Meathead: The Science of Great BBQ”
9. Big Bob Gibson’s “Big Bob Gibson’s BBQ Book”
10. Steve Raichlen’s “Project Smoke”

So there you have it, our Top 10 Best Cookbooks for Kamado Grills.

Did you agree with the list? If not, let us know what we missed in the comments below.

Now, let’s get grillin’!

Kamado Joe, Product Reviews

Kamado Joe DoJoe Pizza Accessory – Gotta Have it

May 28, 2019 ThatHelpfulDad Leave a comment

Announcing the new Kamado Joe DoJoe Pizza Accessory! In this article we’ll talk why you may want the DoJoe, see how it compares to cooking on a pizza stone or the Pizza Porta, watching a vid or two that showcases the DoJoe, and finding out how much the KJ DoJoe costs and where you can buy one.

In a Hurry? – KJ DoJoe Quick Look

If you don’t want to read the reviews and tips about the new Kamado Joe DoJoe because you already know you want one and you just want to check pricing and availability we’ve got you covered.

Here’s a quick look at the Kamado Joe DoJoe…

Kamado Joe DoJoe Article Table of Contents

[lwptoc]

I. Pizza on a kamado grill?

If you’re like me, then cooking a wood-fired pizza on your KJ is nothing new – heck it’s probably one of the reasons you bought your kamado, right? After all the crispy crust, bubbling cheese, and hint of smoke are the trademarks of a kamado grilled pizza and the cravings for good wood-fired pizza never dies.

Who wouldn’t want more of this?

But do we really need yet another Pizza accessory for our KJ?

I’d wager you’ve been cooking wood fired pizzas on your kamado for years, right? If so, then you’re probably using a pizza stone or a Pizza Porta, right? Both of these are great pizza accessories for your kamado so let’s take a look at each and then see how they compare to the new Kamado Joe DoJoe. It could be that you don’t need a DoJoe…then again, maybe you do?

II. Using a Pizza Stone for kamado pizzas

If you’re currently cooking pizzas on a pizza stone then I’ll bet you have one something like this right?

If you have a pizza stone, please know that I’m NOT here to knock the Kamado Joe pizza stones because I have one too and they work great. I’ve made countless pizzas on my KJ pizza stone such as this pepperoni, mushroom, and garlic classic style…

Cooking a pizza on a pizza stone in your KJ is “Kamado Pizza 101” and I mean that in a positive sense.

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Master the pizza stone on your kamado and you’ll never go hungry – unless of course you want to make more than one pie.

Then you’ve gotta deal with a few challenges, including:

Maintaining your temps vs lifting the lid to check your pizza.
Dealing with the high heat temps (550-750+) depending on your method and being on guard against a dangerous backdraft/flashback.

Because of these issues, some have opted for the Pizza Porta accessory…

III. Using a Pizza Porta for kamado pizzas

The Pizza Porta was a first-of-its-kind pizza accessory for your kamado that converted your ceramic grill into a pizza oven. The Pizza Porta looks like this…

How does the Pizza Porta work?

The Pizza Porta works by closing off the kamado chimney so you can retain the heat and keep the dome hot. The Pizza Porta door lets you control airflow for temperature control and most importantly…

Cook the top of your pizza the same rate as the bottom!

The Pizza Porta is a quality kamado pizza accessory and for years it was the best way to use your kamado to make a number of pizzas faster and more consistently vs a typical pizza stone.

Until the Kamado Joe DoJoe…

IV. Meet the Kamado Joe DoJoe

Now there is a new entrant into the market – the Kamado Joe DoJoe. To give us an introduction to the DoJoe let’s check out Kamado Joe‘s very own John Setzler talk about this exciting new tool…

Here are a couple more vids about the product…

APM Group DoJoe First Look

BBQ EC DoJoe Demo

I’m sure looking at those vids about the DoJoe has your mouth watering right? Let’s look at the key benefits of the Kamado Joe DoJoe…

V. Kamado Joe DoJoe Benefits & FAQ’s

If you’re considering purchasing the KJ DoJoe here’s what you’ll want to know…

The Key Features/Benefits of the DoJoe are:

The DoJoe is an authentic Kamado Joe product so you know it will fit your KJ.
The DoJoe is made of durable cast-aluminum.
The DōJoe transforms your Kamado Joe into a best-in-class pizza oven.
The distinctive wedge shape of the DōJoe makes maintaining steady temperatures even over the course of hours.
Using the DoJoe allows you to easily see and monitor their pizza as they cook. That means no more lifting the lid or looking thru the top!
The DoJoe has dedicated supports for the Kamado Joe Heat Deflectors and Kamado Joe Pizza Stone to ensure optimum distances between these accessories thus guaranteeing perfect crust and crisp toppings!

FAQ’s related to the Kamado Joe

Does the Kamado Joe DoJoe fit a Big Green Egg? The KJ Classic DoJoe should fit the BGE Large and the KJ Big Joe DoJoe should fit the BGE XL.
What temps can the DoJoe maintain? According to Kamado Joe the DoJoe should easily keep you in the 400-700F range.
Does the DoJoe have a door like the Pizza Porta? No, the DoJoe doesn’t have a door like the Pizza Porta but the DoJoe wedge design is different and supposedly doesn’t require a door – much like a typical wood fired pizza oven also doesn’t have a door.

Reviews of the Kamado Joe DoJoe

At LordoftheGrills.com we believe in providing you links to reviews and product discussions from other quality sites. Here are some helpful reviews from other BBQ sites that talk about the Kamado Joe DoJoe…

KamadoGuru.com Forum Discussion on Kamado Joe DoJoe
EggHead Forum DoJoe Talk
PitMaster Amazing Ribs Forum KJ DoJoe Discussion Topic

VI. Kamado Joe DoJoe – How Much Does it Cost and How Can You Buy One?

Are you ready to buy your Kamado Joe DoJoe and make some awesome wood-fired pizzas? If so, check out the latest prices on the DoJoe and pick one up today…

Kamado Joe DoJoe Classic Edition (BGE Large Size)

Kamado Joe DoJoe Big Joe Edition (BGE XL Size)

Alternatively if you want to look at the DoJoe and related accessories, you can use this link…

Want more Kamado Joe Accessories?

Check out our Kamado Joe Brand Store here at LordoftheGrills.com…

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Pellet Grills & Smokers, Traeger Grills

Best Traeger Grill Accessories – Essential Add-On Parts

May 18, 2019 ThatHelpfulDad Leave a comment

Traeger Grill Accessories – If you’re a Traeger Grill Enthusiast, you’ll enjoy this discussion of the best essential add-on parts to buy for your Traeger. On this page we’ll talk about why you might want to add various shelves to expand your work space, weather or not you need an insulation blanket, the importance of a quality cover, the convenience of magnetic hooks, and various power controllers.

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Editor’s Note: This article is part of our series about the Best Traeger Brand Accessories. Other articles in the series discuss the best Traeger Accessories for Cooking Surfaces, BBQ Tools, Pellets, Cookbooks, Cleaning Tools, Prep Tools, Spices & Rubs, and even Traeger Swag. And if you’re new to the world of Traegerhood, be sure to read this article: “What is a Traeger Grill?”

[lwptoc]

Traeger Grill Accessories – Essential Add-Ons

When you purchase a Traeger Grill, you’re buying a quality product that will give you great satisfaction for many years to come, but as with any high-end grill hobby, there’s always a few more things you’ll want to get to set you up for success. In this article we’ll talk about some of the key parts to consider adding to your Traeger Grill.

I. Traeger Grill Accessories – Shelves

Although your Traeger will come with a lot of stuff already, you’ll quickly discover that you’re gonna want more SPACE in the area outside your grill – and in truth this is not just a want, it’s a NEED.

That’s why Traeger makes both Front Folding Shelves and Bottom Shelves for your Traeger Grill that you can add to the outside of your Traeger to give you more prep and storage space. (BTW if you’re looking for cooking shelves for INSIDE your grill, be sure to see this linked article about best cooking surfaces).

TIP: When shopping for external shelves remember they are model specific so be sure you get the right one to fit your specific Traeger Grill.

You can see a a number of Traeger shelves on this page, meanwhile here’s a few examples of each type.

II. Traeger Accessories – Buckets & Liners

You can’t grill without making a bit of a mess and if you want to keep your Traeger clean, you’re gonna want to have some buckets and liners to help make that cleanup easier. Check out these top picks…

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III. Traeger Grill Accessories – Magnetic Hooks

Magnetic Hooks for your Traeger Grill are convenient for hanging cooking utensils from and because they’r magnetic you can move them around easily. Here’s the most popular ones…

IV. Traeger Grill Accessories – Just for Fun Attachments

For a quick break in the ‘must haves’, let’s do something just for fun. The following items might not be ‘essential’ add-ons for your Trager Grill but they sure are fun. If you have the coin, consider these the Bottle Opener…

Or maybe a Stainless Steel look…

Or go full Traegulator with the Steer Head Topper on display here…

V. Traeger Grill Accessories – Insulation Blankets & Covers

Ok, back to business – let’s talk Traeger insulation blankets and covers.

IMPORTANT – Don’t confuse a cover for your Traeger with an insulation blanket – they each have a specific purpose.

A cover will protect your grill from the weather, while the Traeger insulation blanket will help you during cooking.

If you use your Traeger a good bit in colder climates, you may benefit from an insulation blanket. Why would you want a Traeger insulation blanket? Because it will help you to maintain more consistent temperatures no matter the air temperature and using an insulation blanket with your Traeger Grill will stop you from burning through extra pellets in colder weather.

As for the cover – that’s kind of a no brainer, right? Don’t let your grill sit out in the elements and be destroyed – cover it with a Traeger Brand cover.

As with other accessories, Traeger Insulation Blankets and Covers are model specific so get the one that fits YOUR Traeger Grill.

Let’s start with a COVER – there are a LOT of options depending on our grill model and style preference.

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Now let’s review the Traeger Insulation Blanket options…

VI. Traeger Grill Accessories – Power Controllers & Pellet Sensors

Although not absolutely ‘must-have’ items, the following will sure make life easier for you and your Traeger Grill.

For power on the go while camping, tailgating, etc, you’ll want to get the Traeger Power Inverter.

If you want to fine tune grilling and smoking times for perfectly done food every time, then use the Pro Controller. It also features an auto shut down cycle that reduces the amount of residual ash left behind in your firebox and grill bottom.

How about a pellet sensor? Never run out of pellets again. The Traeger Pellet Sensor sends notifications when your pellets are running low through the Traeger App. Focus your time on preparing that next legendary meal for your closest family and friends.

VII. Traeger Grill Accessories – Next-Level Add-ons

If you wanna do some cold smoking, you’ll want to get the Traeger Cold Smoker Attachment.

If you like traveling a lot and want to take the Traeger experience with you but without your big grill, pick up the Traeger Portable Electric Grill.

Even More Traeger Accessories…

That concludes our review of the best authentic Traeger Brand add-on’s you’ll want to buy for your Traeger Grill.

Be sure to check out our other articles on additional accessories for your Traeger. Here’s one of our favs…

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Wanna learn even more about Traeger Grills?

Shop the Traeger Store on Amazon

See all the Traeger Grills, Accessories, Rubs, Sauces, and more on Traeger’s Official Amazon Store – click the pic to visit now…

Cooking and Recipes, Product Reviews

Big Green Egg Accessories – The 10 Best Accessories for Big Green Egg Newbies

May 14, 2019 ThatHelpfulDad Leave a comment

Big Green Egg Accessories – Are you a new Big Green Egg Egghead? If so this article can help you. We’ll discuss which accessories are the best to buy right away so you can speed up your learning curve and make the most of your cooks on the BGE.

On this page you’ll see the Top 10 “Must Have” Accessories for your Big Green Egg — specially curated for Egg newbies.

Editor’s Note: This article is part of our series focused on the “Best Accessories for the Big Green Egg.” Besides this “Top 10 List,” we also have articles about the Best Big Green Egg Cookbooks, Best Cooking Surfaces for the BGE, Best Lump Charcoal, Fire Supplies, Cooking Tools, and many more.

Be sure to check out our Big Green Egg Brand shop as well – where you can see all the Big Green Egg Brand products we carry in our store.

[lwptoc]

1-Big Green Egg Accessories – The EGGspander

The Big Green Egg ‘EGGspander’ is a “Flexible Cooking System” and it is the #1 “Must Have” accessory for the Big Green Egg in our opinion.

Why?

Because using a Flexible Cooking System like the EGGspander will change the way you use your Big Green Egg. With a flexible cooking system you can

Cook High
Cook Low
Cook both Direct AND Indirect at the same time
And gain a world of flexibility.

Big Green Egg Eggspander

You can shop for the Big Green Egg Eggspander on Amazon …

BGE Eggspander for Large Egg

BGE Eggspander for XL Egg

Is there an alternative to the EGGSpander?

The Kamado Joe Divide and Conquer FCS fits BGE’s and a less expensive option to utilize a flexible cooking system in your Egg.

2-Big Green Egg Accessories – A Kamado Cookbook

There IS a learning curve when it comes to cooking on a kamado-style grill like the Big Green Egg. Do yourself a favor and get a cookbook specifically designed for kamado grills because not only will you get some great recipes but you’ll also pick up some much-needed tips on HOW to use your BGE. Here are 3 great books to consider.

Shop our store to see even more kamado-style cookbooks.

3-Big Green Egg Accessories – Hand Protection

With temps that can reach up to 800 degrees or more, you can’t mess around when you’re cooking on your kamado grill. Do yourself a favor and get a good pair or welding gloves or some high-heat rated rubber-style hand protection. (You’ll also want a good pair of meat claws and long-handled grilling tools but that’s a whole other article).

My dad’s a retired welder (40+ years on the job) so personally I use his old welding gloves, but if you don’t have that luxury, consider some of these great options.

Shop our store to see more glove options.

4-Big Green Egg Accessories – Remote Thermometor

As fun as it is to cook on the Big Green Egg nobody wants to sit by the fire all day. You want be with friends, drink a few brews, and relax without always wondering about the temps of your meats. Having a good remote thermometer allows you to do that. The two most popular brands to consider are ThermoPro or Maverick. Here are some of their most popular models…

You’ll find more meat thermometers and temperature controls on this page too.

5-Big Green Egg Accessories – Electric Fire Starter

Sure you can use a charcoal chimney, or blow torches, or tumbleweed and those all do work, but if you want to keep it easy just use an electric fire starter – you’ll thank me for it.

Some good choices here are:

See more choices in our store.

6-Big Green Egg Accessories – Ash Basket

Why use an ash basket?

Because if you increase your airflow, you’ll get more from your lump charcoal – this means easier to reach higher temps, using less charcoal per cook, and easier cleanup. Here’s a demo vid so you can learn more…

There are a lot of options for ash baskets but the most popular by far is from 1 brand to seriously consider here: Kick Ash Baskets.

7-Big Green Egg Accessories – Pizza Stone

Who doesn’t want to cook wood-fired pizzas on their Big Green Egg? C’mon you know this is one of the reasons you bought the BGE right? Get yourself a pizza stone and give it a try. There are a lot of choices here, and you can see more pizza ovens and accessories on this page.

Stop the presses!

Pizza fans won’t want to miss this brand new accessory…The Kamado Joe “DoJoe” – it will fit BGE Large edition grills too. Here’s a vid and product link to learn more…

8-Big Green Egg Accessories – Cast Iron Cookware

We have an entire article devoted to the best ‘cooking surfaces’ for kamado grills and you’ll find lots of cast iron products in our store, but for now just know this – the stainless steels grates that come standard with your BGE are fine, but if you want to go next-level you’ll discover pretty quickly that you’re going to want some cast iron in the mix.

Cast-iron + Big Green Egg = perfect match.

So what should you get? A large dutch oven is a great start. As is a plancha pan or even a cast-iron griddle insert. Here’s a few to consider…

Plancha Griddle by Big Green Egg (This is a dual-sided griddle).
Big Green Egg Half Moon Griddle
Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Kamado Joe Cast Iron Griddle
Kamado Joe Cast Iron Grates
Kamado Joe Wok (stir-fry, anyone?)

Remember, if you plan to get the Kamado Joe griddle or grates, you’ll need the Kamado Joe Flexible Cooking Rack System.

9-Big Green Egg Accessories – QUALITY Lump Charcoal

No matter what accessories you buy for your Big Green Egg or how well you manage your fire, if you don’t have quality lump charcoal to cook with, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.

There’s nothing like doing everything right and then having the food taste bad because the lump charcoal you used was made with poor quality wood or too much of a particularly strong wood (like hickory).

Don’t let that happen to you — instead I’d recommend you buy good quality lump charcoal that has a mix of hardwoods that work with all types of foods for your basic cooks and then buy smoking wood chips for particular flavor profiles you want to add in later (such as hickory for chicken, fruit woods for fish, etc).

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10-Big Green Egg Accessories – Rotisserie Attachment

Cooking meat on a spit. Doesn’t this look good to you?

Again we’ll turn to a Kamado Joe attachment as the best choice for your BGE too. There are JoeTisseries that fit the BGE Large or XL. Here’s an example…

And there you have it, friends, your 10 Must Have Accessories for the Big Green Egg – the New Egg Edition.

Did you find this list helpful?

Is there a ‘must have’ accessory that you think we missed? If so, let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you.

More Big Green Egg Accessories

Shop Our Store and see more Authentic Big Green Egg Merchandise…

Cooking and Recipes

Salt Fat Acid Heat – Recommended Kitchen Essentials

December 15, 2018 ThatHelpfulDad 1 Comment

Salt Fat Acid Heat is a cookbook written by chef Samin Nosrat. The book has won countless awards and is now a hit show on Netflix. In this article, we’ll explore the essential kitchen products recommended by the book and give you convenient links to find them for yourself. Consider this article as your Buying Guide for the tools of the trade in your kitchen.

Editor’s Note: this article is part of a series about the book Salt Fat Acid Heat. The main article features Reviews, Tips, & More about the book – be sure to check it out.

https://thathelpfuldad.com/salt-fat-acid-heat-review-tips-and-more/

Salt Fat Acid Heat – Kitchen Essentials

In her book, Salt Fat Acid Heat, Samin identifies 27 items that she considers “Kitchen Essentials.” Her list includes:

Saucepan
Deep-Frying Thermometer
Frying Pan
Food Mill
Colander
Ladle
Fine-mesh Sieve
Wooden Spoon
Rubber Spatula
Spider
Stainless Steel Tongs
Stockpot
Dutch Oven
Cast Iron Skillet
Box Grater
Citrus Juicer
Mortar and Pestle
Chef’s Knife (and paring knife, and serrated knife)
Measuring Cups (and spoons)
Kitchen Scale
Meat Therometer
Salad Spinner
Mixing Bowls
Baking Sheets
Blender (or Food Processor)
Japanese Mandolin
Rasp Grater

Salt Fat Acid Heat Kitchen Essentials Buying Guide

While the following products are not specifically recommended by Samin, I’m including one or more products for each of the 27 kitchen essentials recommended by the book here in this section so you can use it as a handy buying guide as you build your own personal chef’s kitchen. These are the products I use and/or was inspired by the book to buy. I personally recommend them for you, however if you have an alternative that you like better, let me know in the comments – together we can take our cooking journey to new heights.

If you have a home cook in your life, any of these would make a great gift!

In the buying guide list, I’ll try to provide various price point options – from low cost but still highly recommended, to professional ‘workhorse’ level, and all the way up to top-shelf ‘finer things’ and ‘vanity’ level if you have a cook who likes to entertain with a bit of flair.

All of these products are a minimum of 4-star rated and most of them are Prime-eligible so you can get them quickly!

Please keep in mind, this is just a general list – your situation may require products (for example larger or smaller pots) or maybe you have a preference for copper-bottom vs. stainless, or perhaps you like a different brand than what you see here. YOU be the judge of what’s best for you and your kitchen will thank you for it.

1. Saucepan

2. Deep-Frying Thermometer

3. Frying Pan

4. Food Mill

5. Colander

6. Ladle

7. Fine Mesh Sieve

8. Wooden Spoon

9. Rubber Spatula

10. Spider

11. Stainless Steel Tongs

12. Stockpot

13. Dutch Oven

14. Cast Iron Skillet

15. Box Grater

16. Citrus Juicer

17. Mortar and Pestle

18. Knives

A good knife can make your life much easier in the kitchen. All of these brands are good brands and you’ll enjoy them.

A. Chef’s Knife

B. Paring Knife

C. Serrated Knife

D. Chef Knife Sets

19. Measuring Cups & Spoons

20. Kitchen Scale

21. Meat Thermometer

22. Salad Spinner

23. Mixing Bowls

24. Baking Sheets

25. Blender

26. Japanese Mandoline

27. Rasp Grater

Enjoy this list?

If you enjoyed reading this article, be sure to share it with a friend or Pin it for later.

Cooking and Recipes

Salt Fat Acid Heat – Review, Tips, and More

December 15, 2018 ThatHelpfulDad Leave a comment

It’s a worldwide best-seller. It’s a hit show on Netflix. It’s the new ‘Cook’s Bible’ for today’s generation.

It’s Samin Nosrat’s Salt Fat Acid Heat and it will change your cooking life!

First published in 2017, the book has been over a decade in the making as Samin Nosrat not only learned the craft of cooking but also of how to teach others the techniques behind the techniques — not just the HOW, but also the reasons WHY and WHEN you do things in the kitchen. Invariably these techniques have a lot to do with what Samin refers to as the ‘4 essential elements’ of cooking: Salt, Fat, Acid, and Heat and her book teaches you the magic anyone can create once you understand how these 4 elements work together.

In this article and others, we’re going to review the book, provide links to the show and official website, give you other references to learn more.

If you are a home cook looking to expand your craft and you buy ONE book this year, Salt Fat Acid Heat is the book to buy.

Salt Fat Acid Heat on Amazon

Because it’s so popular, Salt Fat Acid Heat is available in bookstores and many other fine stores that sell cookbooks, so you should have no problem finding it, but if you need a quick link to Amazon, here’s the direct link to the book in hardcover, kindle, and audio formats.

Hardcover

E-Book

Audiobook

Salt Fat Acid Heat – The Review

I’m a home cook – admittedly probably not a very good one, but hey I try. More importantly I am always eager to learn. Over the years I’ve purchased countless cookbooks and while they have certainly helped me, I’ve always wanted something more – I’ve always wanted what most cookbooks don’t give you: the WHY behind the HOW.

That’s what makes Salt Fat Acid Heat so different than other cookbooks – sure there are recipes in the book and they are pretty awesome (and not all that hard), but…

The real value to Salt Fat Acid Heat comes from Samin’s ability to teach you WHY you are using Salt, Fat, Acid, and Heat in your cooking.

It’s such a simple concept and yet most cookbooks don’t give you this – relying instead on your religiously buying specific ingredients in specific amounts and then mindlessly following directions in order to produce results. Does that technique work? Sure. But will you become a better cook just by following recipes? Probably not.

With Salt Fat Acid Heat Samin takes a different approach. She teaches you about the nuances of the 4 basic elements of Salt, Fat, Acid, and Heat, and helps you understand why they do what they do when you add them to your cooking. When you begin to understand the WHY behind the HOW, your cooking will soar!

Reading Salt Fat Acid Heat reminded me of the old adage – “Fish for a man and feed him for a day, teach him how to fish and feed him for a lifetime.” I believe that is the spirit behind the book – although I don’t know her, I like to think Samin had that in mind when she wrote her book. Give it a read yourself and let me know if you agree.

Salt Fat Acid Heat – Awards

Salt Fat Acid Heat has one all of the following book awards…

New York Times Bestseller
Winner of the 2018 James Beard Award for Best General Cookbook
ICAP Cookbook Award

It’s also been named one of the “Best Books” by NPR, BuzzFeed, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Rachel Ray Every Day, San Francisco Chronicle, Vice Munchies, Elle.com, Glamour, Eater, Newsday, Minneapolis Star Tribune, The Seattle Times, Tampa Bay Times, Tasting Table, Modern Farmer, Publishers Weekly, and more.

Salt Fat Acid Heat – The Netflix Show

In a Netflix series based on her best-selling cookbook, Samin Nosrat visits Italy, Japan and Mexico to show how four basic elements can make or break any dish. Check out the trailer…

https://youtu.be/2oKbs4jAf7M