Big Steel Keg

[dklaiman]

Our current grill is an 11 year old natural gas Napoleon. I'd like to get a grill/smoker. Unfortunately, a Big Green Egg is out of my price range. I've read a few reviews of the Big Steel Keg and it looks llike a promising and much cheaper alternative. Does anyone here have one? Any experience either way?

Thanks.

-Dave

 

[Jim]

I have not heard anything about that unit. keep an eye on Craigslist for a used egg.

A weber kettle, while not an egg, is a fine tool to get started with and the skills that you have to develop to use it effectively as a smoker will translate very well to an egg or any other smoker.

 

[jwhite]

I've got one of these and I've been very happy with it. I got mine for a little over a hundred bucks on sale. It has a massive grilling aria for when you're grilling for large numbers, and the offset fire box gives me really even temp control for going low and slow. It' also large enough that I can smoke 20 lbs. of freshly made sausage or fire roast a large goose or turkey. There is very little I can't do with this thing. The cast iron grates are another plus as they cure to a good nonstick surface.

 

[invizable]

The benefit of the Egg and other kamodo grills is the ceramic construction which allows you to maintain really low temperatures for very long periods of time. The steel keg is supposed to have insulating properties like the ceramic without the fragility. If you are looking for a smoker and want to get really serious about low temp cooking this looks really interesting.
If you are just looking for a good charcoal grill, save some money and try an American made Portable Kitchen grill (also a pretty good smoker) or any of the others mentioned above.

 

[jwhite]

While I agree the egg is efficient, as well as attractive. The type I have listed previously works very well. For example I did a pork shoulder that took approx. 10 hrs at 175 deg. I had in that time a variance of +- 3 deg over that period with minimal tending. Fuel was hardwood lump with cherry as the smoke wood. Charcoal did have to be replenished at the 7th hour. The suggestion that someone with an offset smoker doesn't take his BBQ seriously is foolish and a little offensive.

edit: I may have gotten a little carried away there.

 

[dklaiman]

James, I can't tell from the photo. What type of smoker/grill is that?

Thanks.

-Dave

 

[jwhite]

There are several brands that do variations on the theme, but that is from Char-Griller professional smokers.

 

[Rughi]

Well, if you like to MacGuyver garden equipment, or work at a Home Depot and get it Johnny Cash style "one piece at a time" there's the l'il brown egg. [YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIuo0KIqD_E[/YOUTUBE]

It may require a lot of jury rigging and may be a bit of a hassle to use, but it's a cheaper way to see if you like kamado style cooking. Or, a $100 of parts you use a few times and then move on. I don't really know, has anyone used one of these dozens or hundreds of times, like Webers and Eggs?

Or, you could get a Weber - kettle for grilling or Smokey Mountain Bullet for hot smoking. I love my egg and believe it outperforms a Weber in the things they both do and does several other things as well, but as soon as someone says money is tight, I'm pointing to a Weber. They're the real deal.

Roger

 

[Edcculus]

grilling aria.

Like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zu5TkdcZA-M


never heard of a grilling aria...

 

[jwhite]

Like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zu5TkdcZA-M


never heard of a grilling aria...

That's fantastic, best use of my craptastic spelling ever.

 

[invizable]

jwhite,
I should have known better than to slight another man's grill!!! Certainly no insult intended.
Before I bought my new grill, I almost bought the smoker you have and I know its great.
Instead of disagreeing about grills, we should be agreeing that gas sucks and charcoal is awesome.

 

[jwhite]

jwhite,
I should have known better than to slight another man's grill!!! Certainly no insult intended.
Before I bought my new grill, I almost bought the smoker you have and I know its great.
Instead of disagreeing about grills, we should be agreeing that gas sucks and charcoal is awesome.

Truly spoken, let us forget our petty differences. We should unite as one against the gas putrescence and the infidels who succumb to its inferior flame.

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You know, of course, some fellow who just loves his gas grill/smoker is going to come in here and get very grumpy at me for that.

 

[Rughi]

...You know, of course, some fellow who just loves his gas grill/smoker is going to come in here and get very grumpy at me for that.

I've had a gas grill since I got married. There's nothing at all wrong with it. It works just fine, thank you very much!!!

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And that's why I gave it to my daughter after I got my Big Green Egg.


Roger

 

[invizable]

I've had a gas grill since I got married. There's nothing at all wrong with it. It works just fine, thank you very much!!!

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And that's why I gave it to my daughter after I got my Big Green Egg.


Roger

Hilarious!

 

[jwhite]

I've had a gas grill since I got married. There's nothing at all wrong with it. It works just fine, thank you very much!!!

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And that's why I gave it to my daughter after I got my Big Green Egg.


Roger