Big Steel Keg or BGE?

I have had my bsk for about a month now, I have cooked chicken, brisket, ribs, mooinks, fatty's, and steaks....

I have nothing to compare it to but the unit is well made, holds the heat extremely well, after doing a 650 cook for steaks, I closed it down and it stayed in the 400 range for at least 2 hrs.

The brisket and the ribs I cooked at 225-250, it held temp with very little fussing with the outside temp around 50, I even went out for a few hours and found it just like I left it.

I was afraid of having the ceramic crack since I have a small deck I need to move it around after cooking so the BGE made me nervous.

all in all I am very happy with the unit and would highly recommend it

I have a KEG, which is the older version of the BSK. I've had the KEG fo about a year now and have no complaints. Temp control can be challenging at times, but I'm sure it's the same way with the BGE. Once you get some cooks under your belt, temp control is easy.

I've done low and slow cooks as well as high temp cooks. Butts, chicken and ribs are great cooked at 225-250 and steaks and pizza are great cooked at 500+.

Temps come up quick so you will need to pay attention and start closing the intakes when you get within 50-75* of your target temp.

I've loaded about 1/2 chimney of lit lump and placed unlit lump around the outer edges of the lit lump and I was able to get 12-15 hrs on one load.

The only drawback in my opinion is if you want to add more lump or wood, you will need to take the grates out and add as there is no access. I've always added alot of lump and whatever I do not use I use on the next cook.

One advantage I think the BSK has over the BGE is it will not crack. Plus the BSK is cheaper than a new BGE.

I would highly recommend the BSK. I've never cooked on a BGE, so I am a bit biased. I did research before I bough the KEG and I didn't want the hassle of being cautious about the BGE cracking. Price also paid a part in my decision.

Ted are you planning on using it in comps?

I know a guy who has both and he likes the BSK for portability for comps or camping.
He was nervous about transporting his egg long distances.

I've got two kegs and love them. All that has been said here is true. I really like how the keg is lighter and more mobile than a BGE. This will allow me to compete in my first comp. in a few weeks. There are a few on the keg forum that have both and they say they cook very similar, not a whole lot of difference. If anything the keg retains heat a bit more as it's cooler to the touch on the outside than a BGE. There is a small learning curve as all cookers have one.

I have a Bubba Keg which is the previous version, and almost identical. In terms of fuel efficiency they will be about the same on short and medium cooks, but on really long cooks I think the Egg might have an advantage. I have never cooked on a ceramic, but my understanding is that once all that ceramic heats up it takes a ridiculously small fire to keep the grate temp up where you want it. Also, while they should both cook pretty evenly, I bet the Egg will be a bit better on this as well due to the fact that heat radiating back from the ceramic walls will make the inside like an oven. I may be wrong and the Keg may do just as well on everything.

All this being said I love my Keg. I got mine on clearance from Home Depot for $225 and have never regretted it. And the best thing about it is, if you drop it or knock it over its not ceramic and you still have a cooker.

Kamado Joe, $200 less expensive than BGE, comes fully assembled with cart, finished bamboo hardwood side shelves, powdercoated stainless steel and more. I absolutely love mine, my Traegers are so jealous. And they come in black or red.

Got a Bubba keg and love it for pizza and I love it for the portability. I just attach it to the hitch on the truck or RV.

Lots of good ceramic cookers out there

Check the warranties too. I have had the Egg for awhile now, it cooks well once you get the hang of it.

love my BGE. More importantly, my friends love my BGE. will cruise all day at 220 degrees with little fuss. I highly recommend.

I have two Bubba Kegs. The Bubba Keg is the first version of the Big Steel Keg. I love my kegs and they cook some great que such as these ribs.



And great chicken-





And Beef -





And pork-


What I like about it is, it's rock solid on low and slow cooks and it can also get up to 800 degree F for hot grilling.

As far as the BGE goes, I have heard nothing but good things about them, so I think either way you go you will be fine. One thing I know about the BGE is, it has a long track record and I have never heard anyone complain about the one they own.

GreenDrake said:

Kamado Joe, $200 less expensive than BGE, comes fully assembled with cart, finished bamboo hardwood side shelves, powdercoated stainless steel and more. I absolutely love mine, my Traegers are so jealous. And they come in black or red.

Click to expand...

Got to agree. I love mine so far. It cooks every bit as good as my buddy's BGE, but looks better and has better hardware, stand, and side tables.

And I got it for $699, stand and everything.

I agree with all the above about the Kegs...they are just great and you can cook anything on them...great pictures of some awesome cooks by Bosshizzle...nice pics brother!!!!:thumb::thumb:

Jim

I went with the BGE. When I looked at the keg, I had concerns about longevity. I think the warranty is only 10 years, IIRC.

I don't know how well it will hold up over the long term. Also, I kept thinking of those insulated mugs, which don't last very long before the insulation sort of craps out on you. I know the keg is likely different, but you just never know.

Another thing I didn't like about the keg is that you are not supposed to take it over 800 degrees, or you will void the warranty. Not an issue with the BGE.

If you search this site, someone a while ago posted a spreadsheet that compared all of the various kamado cookers, that was really helpful.

I don't regret spending the money on the BGE. I've used it alot in the year or so that I've had it.

The handles will melt off and drop your shevls