BSK 2000 or Akorn Kamado?

Capnspunky · 01-27-2013, 09:17 PM

Hey gang, Im new to the forum for posting but I have been reading for quite some time. Its a great place to learn. I am about to get a new smoker and upgrade from my vertical style master forge but Im not sure what to get. The wife has been approval on either a bsk 2000 or an Akorn Kamado. I tried to talk her into and egg or primo, but I lost that battle. My local BJ's wholesale sells the Big Steel Keg for 499 and lowes and Gander Mountain have the Akorn for 299. I am kinda torn on what to do here and was hoping for some advice.

Akorn:
Pros: larger cooking surface, price, top rack, cast iron grates with opening for more coals, seems to be a decent cooker.

Cons: longevity ? Build quality ? Insulation vs BSK, Harder to put in a table

BSK 2000

Pros: Easier to put in a table, insulation, build quality, proven track record, works with bge accessories, fairly heavy

Cons: Smaller Cooking surface, no top rack (that im aware of), stainless steel grates vs cast iron, slighly more expensive.

Any help is appreciated, and please feel free to add on to the pros or cons. Those are just the ones that I could think of off top of my head. Thanks for helping!!!!!

cookingdude555 · 01-27-2013, 09:33 PM

Don't know much about the Akorn, but my bubba keg has served me well for a few years now. It's kind of kicked my large egg out of rotation. But not my medium egg, love that thing.

Smoothsmoke · 01-27-2013, 10:13 PM

I can't offer any help in regards to the two mentioned cookers as I have no experience with them. I'm sure they're both great as I've heard nothing but good things about them.

Have you considered Kamado Joe? It's an excellent ceramic cooker. Slightly more expensive, but it comes with a lifetime warranty, well worth it.

Trumpstylz · 01-27-2013, 10:19 PM

Normally i would say akorn, but 500 for a bsk isnt bad.

BBQ Bandit · 01-27-2013, 10:46 PM

Had the original version - the Bubba Keg.
Bought one - and borrowed two more for a troop cook.

Worked and cooked side by side with 3 Big Green Eggs... no problem.

shirknwrk · 01-28-2013, 02:47 AM

Friend has BSK 3000 and loves it. Pricier than Acorn but better made. 2000 lacks some of the features (2 level grid) but quality is same.

Trumpstylz · 01-28-2013, 03:51 AM

what size is the bsk?

DubfromGA · 01-28-2013, 03:52 AM

I've had good results with my Akorn. I DO need to go ahead and order a couple of spare gasket/seal replacements. I don't think you can use the felt/Nomex type that the other ceramic cookers use.

I wish Chargriller's webpage was better set up to show this stuff.

I've never owned any other types of kamados but have cooked on both BGE and Primo.

For $299 I just didn't see where I'd go wrong with the Akorn. It is light enough that I was able to put it in the bed of my truck last Tuesday and drive over to a buddy's house for some grilling fun.

I'll always have a need for it even after I get the XL BGE that I really want next.

BBQ Bandit · 01-28-2013, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trumpstylz

what size is the bsk?

Same size as a LBGE (Large Big Green Egg).

Motley Q · 01-28-2013, 06:37 PM

The keg is getting cheaper and cheaper. Plastic and more plastic. No shelves. Not portable unless you build a table.

@ $500 where you live is a rip off.

The Akorn also has a removable ash pan and doesn't get hot on the outside.

Be a man and buy what you want.

Capnspunky · 01-28-2013, 08:43 PM

I'd prefer the primo xl oval but I have the problem of owning two houses at the moment. Do we have set a budget. I think I may be leaning akorn at the moment based on its features. Apparently they also have a new model coming out that is triple walled so that should help with some heat loss. Actually though the keg was a good deal a 500. What does it sell at down there in atl ?

Boshizzle · 01-28-2013, 08:46 PM

I still have a Bubba Keg. I let one go to a brethren who really wanted it and has taken good care of it and even passed it on to another brethren since I let it go. I have looked over the akorn at Lowes. To me, the keg is a better cooker. But, for the $$$, the akorn isn't a bad choice. If I could afford a keg over an akorn, I'd go with the keg. If not, the akorn would suffice just fine.

Trumpstylz · 01-28-2013, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boshizzle

I still have a Bubba Keg. I let one go to a brethren who really wanted it and has taken good care of it and even passed it on to another brethren since I let it go. I have looked over the akorn at Lowes. To me, the keg is a better cooker. But, for the $$$, the akorn isn't a bad choice. If I could afford a keg over an akorn, I'd go with the keg. If not, the akorn would suffice just fine.

But you're talking about your experience with the older kegs...

The OP is referring to the newer ones.

Capnspunky · 01-28-2013, 08:55 PM

The newer bsk2000 doesn't seem near as nice as what I have seen in the past when it was bubba keg. However it still feels heavier than the akorn. If it had the same grate features that the akorn has with it, then would be a no brainer for me.

Trumpstylz · 01-28-2013, 09:51 PM

Does the bsk come with a cast iron grate? The akorn comes with a really nice one. Some bsk's do and some don't.

01-27-2013, 09:17 PM	#1
Capnspunky Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 01-27-13 Location: Durham Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	BSK 2000 or Akorn Kamado? Hey gang, Im new to the forum for posting but I have been reading for quite some time. Its a great place to learn. I am about to get a new smoker and upgrade from my vertical style master forge but Im not sure what to get. The wife has been approval on either a bsk 2000 or an Akorn Kamado. I tried to talk her into and egg or primo, but I lost that battle. My local BJ's wholesale sells the Big Steel Keg for 499 and lowes and Gander Mountain have the Akorn for 299. I am kinda torn on what to do here and was hoping for some advice. Akorn: Pros: larger cooking surface, price, top rack, cast iron grates with opening for more coals, seems to be a decent cooker. Cons: longevity ? Build quality ? Insulation vs BSK, Harder to put in a table BSK 2000 Pros: Easier to put in a table, insulation, build quality, proven track record, works with bge accessories, fairly heavy Cons: Smaller Cooking surface, no top rack (that im aware of), stainless steel grates vs cast iron, slighly more expensive. Any help is appreciated, and please feel free to add on to the pros or cons. Those are just the ones that I could think of off top of my head. Thanks for helping!!!!!

01-27-2013, 09:33 PM	#2
cookingdude555 On the road to being a farker Join Date: 07-18-09 Location: USA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Don't know much about the Akorn, but my bubba keg has served me well for a few years now. It's kind of kicked my large egg out of rotation. But not my medium egg, love that thing. __________________ John - Salt Lake City, UT Webers Eggs Bubba Keg

01-27-2013, 10:13 PM	#3
Smoothsmoke Babbling Farker Join Date: 01-20-10 Location: Monterey, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I can't offer any help in regards to the two mentioned cookers as I have no experience with them. I'm sure they're both great as I've heard nothing but good things about them. Have you considered Kamado Joe? It's an excellent ceramic cooker. Slightly more expensive, but it comes with a lifetime warranty, well worth it. __________________ Kamado Big Joe Kamado Classic Joe Weber Simpsons OTG "H" Redhead Weber OTS Simpsons Smokey Joe Silver Sam Adams Smokey Joe Silver Gray Smokey Joe Gold (future mini-WSM) Smooth Smoke BBQ

01-27-2013, 10:19 PM	#4
Trumpstylz is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 10-29-11 Location: Chicagoland Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Normally i would say akorn, but 500 for a bsk isnt bad. __________________ Weber One Touch Gold 2001 Weber Genesis that is no longer used since the OTG

01-27-2013, 10:46 PM	#5
BBQ Bandit Babbling Farker Join Date: 02-15-08 Location: Harrisburg, PA Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Had the original version - the Bubba Keg. Bought one - and borrowed two more for a troop cook. Worked and cooked side by side with 3 Big Green Eggs... no problem. __________________ Bacon should be capitalized as a pronoun for pork! A BBQ Servant; cooking for the Troops, Churches, and Charity Operation BBQ Relief founding member Lang 84 Deluxe Kitchen known as "The Glamazon" Custom Klose Backyard Chef... of Snot, 22.5 WSM Former smokers; Lang 60 Mobile - The Damsel II, Lang 48 Patio - The Damsel, and Bubba Keg Grill - RIP

01-28-2013, 02:47 AM	#6
shirknwrk Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 03-05-10 Location: Kansas City, MO Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Friend has BSK 3000 and loves it. Pricier than Acorn but better made. 2000 lacks some of the features (2 level grid) but quality is same.

01-28-2013, 03:51 AM	#7
Trumpstylz is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 10-29-11 Location: Chicagoland Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	what size is the bsk? __________________ Weber One Touch Gold 2001 Weber Genesis that is no longer used since the OTG

01-28-2013, 03:52 AM	#8
DubfromGA is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 01-08-13 Location: Georgia Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I've had good results with my Akorn. I DO need to go ahead and order a couple of spare gasket/seal replacements. I don't think you can use the felt/Nomex type that the other ceramic cookers use. I wish Chargriller's webpage was better set up to show this stuff. I've never owned any other types of kamados but have cooked on both BGE and Primo. For $299 I just didn't see where I'd go wrong with the Akorn. It is light enough that I was able to put it in the bed of my truck last Tuesday and drive over to a buddy's house for some grilling fun. I'll always have a need for it even after I get the XL BGE that I really want next. __________________ Trusty-rusty Char-Griller offset, Char-Griller Akorn, Charbroil The Big Easy, Maverick ET-732

01-28-2013, 06:37 PM	#10
Motley Q On the road to being a farker Join Date: 08-18-12 Location: marietta Ga Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The keg is getting cheaper and cheaper. Plastic and more plastic. No shelves. Not portable unless you build a table. @ $500 where you live is a rip off. The Akorn also has a removable ash pan and doesn't get hot on the outside. Be a man and buy what you want. Last edited by Motley Q; 01-28-2013 at 06:56 PM..

01-28-2013, 08:43 PM	#11
Capnspunky Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 01-27-13 Location: Durham Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I'd prefer the primo xl oval but I have the problem of owning two houses at the moment. Do we have set a budget. I think I may be leaning akorn at the moment based on its features. Apparently they also have a new model coming out that is triple walled so that should help with some heat loss. Actually though the keg was a good deal a 500. What does it sell at down there in atl ?

01-28-2013, 08:46 PM	#12
Boshizzle somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 01-26-10 Location: Virginia Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I still have a Bubba Keg. I let one go to a brethren who really wanted it and has taken good care of it and even passed it on to another brethren since I let it go. I have looked over the akorn at Lowes. To me, the keg is a better cooker. But, for the $$$, the akorn isn't a bad choice. If I could afford a keg over an akorn, I'd go with the keg. If not, the akorn would suffice just fine. __________________ Jambo Pit - UDS - Lang 60 (Sold) 18.5" & 22.5" Weber Kettles - Smokey Joe and Mini-WSM - Bubba Keg - #2 La Caja China Chargriller Outlaw Impeccably Accurate BLACK & RED Thermapens KCBS CBJ Operation BBQ Relief Founding Member I am Obsessive Compulsive about BBQ. Google it.

01-28-2013, 08:55 PM	#14
Capnspunky Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 01-27-13 Location: Durham Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The newer bsk2000 doesn't seem near as nice as what I have seen in the past when it was bubba keg. However it still feels heavier than the akorn. If it had the same grate features that the akorn has with it, then would be a no brainer for me. Last edited by Capnspunky; 01-28-2013 at 09:16 PM..

01-28-2013, 09:51 PM	#15
Trumpstylz is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 10-29-11 Location: Chicagoland Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Does the bsk come with a cast iron grate? The akorn comes with a really nice one. Some bsk's do and some don't. __________________ Weber One Touch Gold 2001 Weber Genesis that is no longer used since the OTG