Can't Stop Thinking about a Bubba Keg

[TheMidnightSmoker]

I wondered into my local OSH the other night and as I always do I headed straight to the Grill Section. Standing right in front of the Webers and assorted cheep gassers was a Bubba Keg. I have only read about these but have never seen one in person. I was immediately impressed. It seems solid and very well built. I am not a BGE fan so a Kamado stye smoker has never been of interest to me until now. Since my discovery I have not been able to keep my mind off of this cooker. I have 3 smokers and 3 grills so I have no "Need" for a Bubba Keg but boy would I sure like to have one. So you Bubba Keg owners, care to share with me what you Like, Love or don't like about yours?

[Q-Dat]

It is a heck of a cooker!

I don't know if it cooks on the same level as a BGE, but it would be splitting hairs to say that it doesnt. Personally I like a lot of the advantages it has over the egg. It's definitely a lot lighter and more portable, and waaaaay less breakable if it gets knocked over.

[BBQ Bandit]

The Bubba keg is the first generation... the Big Steel Keg is version 2.0
Originally listed around $600... was on clearance for $299 and less last year.

If you can snag it for less than $300... run with it!

Run low and high heat... (200-700), direct and indirect heat.
Comes with a Cast iron grate - great for steaks (a second stainless grate is included).
Very fuel efficient... cooking 40 lbs of meat possible on one load of lump.
Portable via the trailer hitch adapter.
More durable and lighter than the BGE.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff72/bbq-brethren/Troop%20cook%20%20-%20Fort%20Bragg/P1010020.jpg
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff72/bbq-brethren/Troop%20cook%20%20-%20Fort%20Bragg/P1010014-1.jpg

[TheMidnightSmoker]

The Bubba keg is the first generation... the Big Steel Keg is version 2.0
Originally listed around $600... was on clearance for $299 and less last year.

If you can snag it for less than $300... run with it!
I didnt know there was a difference so I called it a Bubba Keg. It actually read Big Steel Keg on the front and was priced at $399. So what are the differences between the Bubba Keg and Big Steel Keg?

[Sooner21]

I'd grab it quick for that price. I've had mine for a couple of years and can't say one bad thing about it. The Big Steel Keg has a few vent mods that aren't on the original Bubba Keg and a 10 year warranty instead of 5 but it should easily out last the warranty.

[Hankdad1]

I would grab that in a heartbeat.

[Boshizzle]

Grills hot or cooks low and slow. Uses very little fuel, Its well insulated and easy to clean and take care of.

[smokinQ2]

Midnight, Get that Keg and start cookin on it... You will love it. Pizza on my modified Bubba.

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k539/Btomey2/IMAG0227.jpg

[Qing]

I think that may be the new BSK 2000 - like the original bubba but without the extras. I also think that's the new regular price. There is another model that's dressed like the old bubba, but it's call the chargriller deluxe (or something similar). Navigate over to the big steel keg forum and you can find all the info you need. IMHO it's the best transportable ceramic style cooker out there. If you don't need to be mobile, there are other options that may provide additional features M2Cents.

[h20loo]

I have an egg but I have cooked often on a friends Keg. It works well, does what you want and is a hell of a lot cheaper than the egg. I will say that my egg gives the feeling of quality and being a lifetime acquisition- the Keg- not so much.
If I bought a second kamado style cooker, it would be a keg but my first choice would be the egg.

[deepsouth]

so, have you gotten it yet?

[BBQ Bandit]

I think that may be the new BSK 2000 - like the original bubba but without the extras. I also think that's the new regular price. There is another model that's dressed like the old bubba, but it's call the chargriller deluxe (or something similar). Navigate over to the big steel keg forum and you can find all the info you need. IMHO it's the best transportable ceramic style cooker out there. If you don't need to be mobile, there are other options that may provide additional features M2Cents.

Yup... from the Bubba Keg/Big Steel keg forum
http://forum.bigsteelkeg.com/index.php?topic=6217.0

There were several versions and different features and options.
2009 Bubba Keg - with additional features (discontinued)
2010 Big Steel Keg - version 2.0 with vent mods (came with cover - without hitch adapter)

2011 - under new ownership and two different models (low end/high end)
2011 Big Steel Keg 2000 - (painted black) scaled down version - without cast iron grate, wheels, tools - advertised @ $399.
2011 Broil King Keg 4000 - (painted brown) resembles the 2010 model with the original features with additional gaskets and vent features - priced $749.

If you found a black Keg mounted on 4 fixed legs (without wheels)... its the stripped down version at the regular price @ $399
- [no second stainless steel cooking grate, no side shelves, no cast iron grate, no multi-tool, no trailer hitch adapter].

If you found a green Big Steel Keg (with wheels) @ $399... don't walk way from it... grab it!

[Amazon is advertising the old Big Steel Keg @ over $700 still]

[SmokerKing]

I'll be buying one once the new owners decide on the latest new version.

[JS-TX]

They are great, I've got 2 of them. You can't go wrong w/them, they smoke, grill, bake, etc.. extremely fuel/heat efficient... and portable. :-D

[eddieh70301]

I have version 1.0 (Bubba Keg) and love it. Maintains heat very well. Excellent pizza cooker. Also grills some damn good steaks. Takes no time to get to temp. It is a bit of a learning curve to control heat but it's not bad at all.
As others have said, it cooks low and slow and hot and fast.
I would definitely grab one and enjoy.

[SmokinAussie]

so, have you gotten it yet?


Errr... no. What should he do:confused::tape::wink::cool:

[Toscadero]

I had the luck to get one of the original Bubba Kegs last summer when Home Depot was closing them out for $299.00. I love this grill. It has made me look like a grilling genius to the rest of the family. I'm currently waiting for the BSK2000 to come available in my area to pick up a second grill.

[smokinQ2]

BBQ Bandit nailed it. If 4000 model for $399 buy two. Otherwise find a BSK V1.

[Oldyote]

Our local home improvement store carried these last year. I did a lot of research on them and was ready to pull the trigger but they are no longer carried locally. I couldn't find one in my area so in the end purchased another BGE. I love the eggs, but for all the reasons already listed would have tried the keg even at the higher price. If I ever find one locally and think I can buy one without my wife finding out :laugh: I would still be very tempted.

[TheMidnightSmoker]

Okay so after reading all this great info you guys have supplied it seems that the cooker I have been eyeballing at OSH is the Big Steel Keg 2000. Not the highend one. I am going to have to rethink this.

[smokinQ2]

If you have a Home Depot go to one and see if he can search inventory for a Bubba Keg. You never know if one got returned or found in inventory. Have him search locally and then nationwide if possible. Maybe you can find one and they will ship it to your store. That is how I found mine. Good Luck!!

[Carbon]

I also saw that at my local Orchard Supply for $399 and have been thinking about it....hmmm....

[chambersuac]

I love my Keg, but it is the 2010 model. I love that it moves easily (I use it at comps and vending), has two grates (five or six butts at once), the shelves and the trailer-hitch adapter (sold separately) are great. I don't think I'd like the scaled down model, since it would be more difficult to move and no cast iron.

I have two BGE's - if I had bought the Keg first, I might not have any Eggs. Very good cooker.

I don't know about CA, but 'round here, in the Fall, the Kegs went on close out in some stores...the 2010 model, no thte 2009.

Good luck.

[snakyjake]

How does Bubba Keg compare to the Egg, Komodo Joe, Grill Dome?

[JD08]

Gander Mountain had a steel kamado the other day for $299. I thought it said Char Broil Kamado Kooker, but Google doesn't find anything and their web site has nothing.

[Bubba User]

Osh selling BSK2000 for $299.00 now on sale