I can't tell you anything about the IVS but I can be honest with you about the BGE:
Pro..
- Versatile, cook a pork but at 225 today, tomorrow a pizza at 700
- It's a smoker or grill
-Lifetime warranty, and they really do honor as long as you are the original owner DO NOT buy a used egg.
- Once you know your device it really is a "set it and forget it vessel". I'll put a 20 Lb brisket on at 250 at 8:00 P.M. and will not even look at it until 9:00 A.M the next day.
- No moisture loss (of the meat) when cooking
- Quality built, it really is well made!
Cons.....
- Almost guaranteed to crack, I have two XL and one mini BGE, I have also went through 4 bases in 5 years.... Please see pro's, it didn't cost me a dime
- Can be tough to cool down if you overshoot your desired pit temp, it's all ceramic and it will cool down slowly.
- Not cheap to trick it out. I bought a Flame Boss 200, Ceramic Grill Store WOO, and other non-included items for an additional cost of $850 but I didn't have to buy them.
- Lump! You really have to buy great, no not great, excellent lump! As someone mentioned you will get a very unfavorable taste from cheap lump. I could buy Cowboy brand (and did) and the $20 steaks tasted like sh!t. I use Rockwood brand, I hate the fact that 20 Lbs costs $26.00 but it does last some time and it really has a neutral flavor.
- The BGE is not a device for a "quick grill" especially when using new lump. I usually let the VOC (volatile organic compounds) completely burn off for 1 hour before I put my meat on. Any less and your foods tastes like you cooked them with lighter fluid.
I hope this helps, at the end of the day you have to choose what it right for you and the family, it also comes down to taste so to speak.... I mean you may like Pepsi and I may like Coke... Just get in the game :thumb:
Just my two cents..
Thanks
Greg