"Big Red" Kamado Kooker at Menards

[Oldyote]

Finally saw one today, it looked alright and I couldn't tell if the fit when the lid was shut was a little off because it may have been put together sort of halfassed as a floor display or what it was. The little latch to pull the lid down seemed a bit odd too but I guess since it wasn't really all that heavy needed something to help seal it.

I appreciate you taking the time to post. The fact that the company did not have any parts and that I coudn't find a thing out about it worried me a little. Now that I've heard some of what you are dealing with I decided to return mine. We ended up buying another BGE for our cabin. It was twice the price but I know what I'm getting.

I realize you have already used the cooker, but would it be worth talking to your local Menards or the directly with the company? At those temps you are not able to use it as it was advertised.

 

[jetmechG550]

I appreciate you taking the time to post. The fact that the company did not have any parts and that I coudn't find a thing out about it worried me a little. Now that I've heard some of what you are dealing with I decided to return mine. We ended up buying another BGE for our cabin. It was twice the price but I know what I'm getting.

I realize you have already used the cooker, but would it be worth talking to your local Menards or the directly with the company? At those temps you are not able to use it as it was advertised.

I didn't buy one, I just saw it in the store. Menards though, is like Walmart, they will take just about anything back LOL

 

[reichmeats]

I was set on one of these but am also holding off. I can see how it can get too hot considering the vents are weak. I don't want to think of ways to modify it, might as well buy an egg that I can use without messing with it.

 

[Walkabout]

I just got my Menards Catalog flyer by email, the Big Red is on sale for $279!

 

[Rys06Tbss]

Used it again and once I got the charcoal started up could not get it to drop below 400, must have multiple air leaks. Once again after I was done cooking I shut it down all they way with the top+bottom vent latched the lid shut and an hour later it was still around 400.

I have the same issue with mine... I just bought it today. The charcoal ash pan has a decent gap on the front of mine... I belive thats where the air is rushing in. I dont see this thing getting below 350 though. Kinda blows

 

[reichmeats]

How much coal is being used? Are you putting it in white hot? Can less coal be used and then closing the lid while only a portion of the coal is hot? I'm just thinking of some things my bge friend does.

 

[Oldyote]

I have the same issue with mine... I just bought it today. The charcoal ash pan has a decent gap on the front of mine... I belive thats where the air is rushing in. I dont see this thing getting below 350 though. Kinda blows

I'd pick up a big green egg gasket (self stick kind) and run it around the top of the ashpan. I think there would be enough surface to fix the leak.

 

[virtualfriday]

I was thinking a big bead of high temp silicone?

 

[pickles]

Definately go with the gasket material. The silicone wont last after repeated ash tray removal. Its BS that this new grill is so leaky! I saw one at Menards this week and it seemed relatively sturdy. I did notice that the top damper was flimsy and didn't seal well though. The manufacturer needs to go back to the drawing board. I'd return it if it were mine.

 

[Rys06Tbss]

I ordered a BGE gasket last night... Well see how this goes. How thick is it?

 

[pickles]

It's a proud 1/8". It'll work well.

 

[Oldyote]

Here is a link to a video for a BGE gasket install. Start about 4 minutes in. Its not hard but there are a couple of dos and donts when installing these gaskets. I think if you follow the same technique it would work well on the ash pan. It will also give you a good visual of the thickness.

 

[PeelSeel2]

I bought one at Menards about 4 weeks ago. I do not have any experience with the BGE. I have researched the Kamado form factor. After using my cheap charcoal grill as a smoker and grill, I knew what I wanted. This unit fits the bill.

Pros so far:
Cast Iron Grate. Awesome!! Flavor savor!
Insulated. Holds heat well. Probably not as good as ceramic, but close enough for me.

Cons so far:
Need to make indirect grilling plate for it.
The rope seal has went 'flat'. Still better than nothing, and appears to maintain a fairly good seal.
The top vent was really loose. This was annoying and I thought it would be a problem. After use, however, it has built thick grease film which prevents from moving unless I move it. Solved.

All in all, for the price point this is an excellent unit in my opinion. I would say without any experience other than research, if your expecting the performance of a BGE, you will be disappointed. Their are some metrics the BGE has that will not be met by metal.

I use to cook on a GrandHall gas grill till last year when I bought a cheap ol' charcoal grill (didn't know if I would like cooking with charcoal). My gas grill sits forlornly by the side now.

I have even baked cookies one night on this thing. Awesome.

My steak and burgers where good off the gas grill, but they are incredible off this thing. It seems to maintain juice better.

 

[virtualfriday]

OK I gave up and bought a gasket from high-que.com. I still say its a bargain if I can track down the air leaks.

 

[Rys06Tbss]

i just bought the regular felt gasket. I didnt see any need for high temp one. I should hopefully be getting it this week.

 

[handbilt]

I bought the big red kamado cooked last week. It works great, just slow reacting and hard to bring temp down after being above 500 deg. I have smoked with it mantaining 230 deg. I suggest getting a high temp gasket for the ash pan. I have had mine hot enough to discolor the ash pan while searing steaks.

Great grill for the money!

 

[PeelSeel2]

I have had a lot of problems trying to get this thing down to a temperature of 180-190 and maintain it. I want to make my brisket again. With my old cheap charcoal grill, I could do it. It was a bit of a process, but it turned out excellent.

I finally got this thing to 180-190 for an extended period of time. I cut out the bottom of small clay pot and put it in the middle of the bottom, so when I open it to put more fuel in it, it goes to the pot. With the pot, I am able to keep the fuel together and use less. With about for 4-6 pieces of charcoal with this setup, I got the temperature where I wanted and was able to add fuel later.

Now I just have to make a racking system for my brisket and I should be good to go....

I have not had problems with the bottom gasket. It gets really hot down their, but it seems to hold up. The upper gasket too is holding up well.

 

[virtualfriday]

OK got the hightemp gasket installed....... Better temp control but still cant get it below 400 with everything shut down. Each time after I use it I shut down all the vents but it keeps on cooking til the charcoal is gone. Any Weber charcoal grill I have had easily shuts down shortly after the vents are closed.

 

[Oldyote]

OK got the hightemp gasket installed....... Better temp control but still cant get it below 400 with everything shut down. Each time after I use it I shut down all the vents but it keeps on cooking til the charcoal is gone. Any Weber charcoal grill I have had easily shuts down shortly after the vents are closed.

That is some kind of major leak. How does the dome set on the base, any chance that it is off somehow and there is a leak there?

 

[PeelSeel2]

Mine is stock for gaskets, etc. I had the problem of the coal burning all the way down too. I took a small washer and put it on top so it prevents the vent spring from going halfway into the screw hole. It tightened it up fine. I also too to spraying the vent with Pam to get a thick layer of grease built up. Coals do not burn down now! When I close both vents, it goes out.

On a side note, I am now able to regulate the temperature down to 150-190 for several hours. I bought a smaller Weber rack to put down in the fire box, cut hole in middle. I can now put a pan between the fire and the cast iron grate. I have my first briskett cooking as I write! The pan I fill with water.

 

[Chilidogbarb]

Purchased at Menard's only 2 left at Sedalia, MO Menards.
Smoked Turkey Legs for a couple hours - came out nice and juicy!

 

[pickles]

Has anyone seen the ceramic grill Menards has on sale for $499? Its called the "Avocado Kamado", seems pretty nice.

 

[pickles]

Now the Avacado Kamado is on clearance for $399! My wife would kill me but I'm so tempted to buy it!

 

[Walkabout]

I just got this weeks Menards sale flyer by email, the Big Red is on sale for $248. I fixed the ash pan seal problem by glueing some 5/8 stove door tape, not rope, around the top edge. Now it seals correctly. It was a design defect, the fire box was pop riveted through the gasket so there was no way it could seal, the rivet heads kept a gap open.

 

[jetmechG550]

I was in Menards the other day and they also have an Avocado Kamado Cooker. It's ceramic and more of an olive drab than green. The dome is not as tall and it's much thinner ceramic.

 

[pickles]

I was in Menards the other day and they also have an Avocado Kamado Cooker. It's ceramic and more of an olive drab than green. The dome is not as tall and it's much thinner ceramic.

Uhhh.....look just 2 posts above yours. Clearance for $399.00! It comes with tons of accessories as well.

 

[virtualfriday]

The Avacado is $289 after rebate and has been for the last couple of weeks. I started with the Big Red Kamado Cooker, I added a felt type gasket at the ashpan and lid and still can not get low temps so I bought the Avacado. The stand is terrible, otherwise it seems like a bargain for under $300.

 

[jetmechG550]

Uhhh.....look just 2 posts above yours. Clearance for $399.00! It comes with tons of accessories as well.

Clicked on first new and it took me to the one above mine, didn't see it cause I didn't scroll up. I was in there again today, avocado cooker is still priced at $499 here.

 

[LoveMiBeer]

Bought one this spring. I had a char-griller with an offset firebox for six years previous. I love my big red. It can't grill as much, but I can light it up, get it at 250 and cook for ten hours without having to add fuel. I can control temp anywhere from 200 to 650 without much fuss. Everything I cook on it comes out professional.

 

[LoveMiBeer]

Pizza in big red.