Hi from a potential Kamado buyer

[Stu]

Hi grillers & smokers

We had a lovely meal at a friends house last week cooked on a Monolith. This has got us quite interested as we love outdoor cooking and already BBQ quite a lot as well as Cobb cooking when we go away in our camper.

I started the search with the usual suspects, BGE, Monolith and Joes. Each appears to have their own merits but the BGE has the premium prices and looks to require some extras to match the standard equipment of the other two. I like the stainless steel of the Monolith. I must admit I baulked a bit at the prices and I think the margins in these things must be massive.

Now, like most people, I like a deal and I have done a great deal of searching around to get an idea of the prices out there. This has prompted me to ask here, has anyone got any great tips for where to buy a Monolith at a great price? I can buy one in Europe and have it delivered for considerably less than the UK prices I am being offered which is a bit of a pity as I'd prefer to support UK business, but I don't operate a charity and I'm running low on goodwill

So who do you recommend? Browsing here yesterday I found details of James and he's been very helpful but he's not directly involved in the sales anymore so can only refer to local agents.

Has anyone one else imported from the EU?

[JEC]

Hello and welcome. I was in the same position as you a few years ago. In the end I went with the Egg mainly down to the quality, in my opinion it was higher than the rest, I've never regretted my choice and smile every time I use it. I know a few people with Kamado Joe's, they hold them in high regard but they just don't have the warranty of the Big Green Egg. Remember when buying a ceramic cooker like this it's for life (another reason the warranty is important), you will not need to buy another one (unless you want more that is ), whilst it may seem like a good idea to save a few hundred £ now will you always feel that way?

[Stu]

Thanks for the advice Jec.

I have found hat the BGE can also be bought in mainland EU for quite a saving over the UK prices.

I'm not sure if it is the market here setting the price and the manufacturers are keeping them buoyant by restricting the potential discounts or if it more to do with the favourable Euro rates but I certainly wouldn't be expecting to pay Pound for Euro RRP's when the Euro is currently in excess of 1.4 to the Pound.

[Stu]

All being well we have secured a grill and should be collecting tomorrow.

Looking forward to getting started.

[JEC]

What did you get?

[Stu]

Got lucky with a great deal on a Large BGE with Hardwood Multi Slat Table, Plate Setter and a couple of large bags of charcoal.

Can't wait to get it bedded in and cooking.

[JEC]

Eggscelent. Keep temps low for the first couple of cooks to help the gasket set, after that you can go nuclear and try pizza.

[Stu]

Thanks Justin.

[olisim02]

Hi Stu

I'm in the same position as you were recently. Can you point me in the right direction to try and get a similar deal as I'm also wanting a BGE but feel they're overpriced.

Many thanks

Oli

[Stu]

Hi Oli,

They are without doubt over priced but you pays your money and takes your chances. I was drawn to the lifetime warranty on the Ceramics.

John Lewis are clearing out their BBQ stock for this season and if you can find one a BGE should be 20% off. I had missed a couple when I called around the stores and it's quite frustrating that despite calling a number relative to the store you want to speak to you'll always end up at the call centre.

It's tough to get any level of discount and best I could find was a tentative offer of 5%, I think BGE have got it tied down. I will ask around tomorrow and let you know.

Which model is it you're after? Large with nest? I found a website with a great set of drawings to make your own BGE table if you're handy enough.

You can get discount on Monolith if you're looking at those.