First off, thanks JM for truly informative videos and great insight into how to cook with these great CGKK.
OK, I bought mine from a different source right before Christmas. I got mine from a place called Hayneedle.com. Paid $319 delivered but there was a small dent in the lid so they knocked $40 off....so $280. There were almost know reviews or any information I could find out about this thing when I got mine. It just seemed way more practical then a BGE for my needs and I couldn't have bought a BSK if I wanted too as there were none to be bought in December.
I did some of the mods that you guys have discussed with the high temp rtv silicone and a heavier duty spring and stainless washer and locknut for the daisywheel/top damper. I bought the Weber grate too.The good news is the top damper does gunk up a bit which helps to seal it better. Mine is a newer version then the Menards Big Red but not as new as the Lowes version. The differences are:
Wooden slat shelves not metal
Wooden lid handle not composite
No Chargriller logo cast into the center CI grate
No Chargiller logo stamped into the bottom shelf
Not called Akorn
different color-mine is a black/gunmetal grey not jet black
Stainless top damper with printed numbers not a cast damper with stamped cast numbers
I believe this product is a game changer for several reasons;
1. Price- You can tout BGEs and BSKs all you want but they cost hundreds more...hundreds that most folk can put into lump, meat, gas, another Akorn, whatever. I cannot practically see what either one does better then this CGK.
2. All the reasons stated on the box you guys that got it from Lowes have.
3. Perhaps most importantly, you can see a very short reaction period on Char-Grillers part to issues and what works and what doesn't. This thing has been around for a maybe a year and they have made continuous improvements and likely will make more. The top damper, the shelf materials, the gasket(the originals used felt I believe)material. I wouldn't be surprised if the next improvements were a gasket or better functioning lower damper may made from CI like the top dampers on your Lowes Akorns.
Have not done a low and slow yet. I have done quite a few spatchcock chickens and they are fantastic each time.
This BBQ Brethren thread is great. There is an element on the BSK forum that craps on these cookers. I chalk that up to buyers remorse on their part. They spent hundreds more and have to talk themselves into believing they have a much better cooker. I wish them the best with that.
I picked up the cover at Lowe's for the $25 and it's good quality, heavier duty vinyl with the Akorn name printed on it.
I'm looking forward to continued input from the rest of you Akorn brothers of the cloth.
