I've owned a Primo XL since 2014. With a Billows and Thermoworks Signals I can control the temperature as easily as a pellet. But I live in Duluth MN and I've grilled Christmas prime rib when it was -20 degrees outside. No pellet grill that I know of would hold temperature at that ambient temp but a kamado doesn't care. It held the temp of 350 despite the ambient temp without worries and delivered a perfect prime rib in 3 hours, pulled with internal temp of 125. Also, I've had ribs cooked on a pellet grill and they are not as smokey as on the Primo. That statement is obviously subjective. Traeger now has insulated grilles and I've not seen them in action in bitter cold. But the traditional pellet grill is going to lose heat from it's thin metal skin whereas a kamado doesn't. Kamados also retain moisture since the only escape is through the vent. That makes them forgiving. We all can use a little forgiveness!
I've had a Primo Oval XL since 2011. It is a very versatile cooking tool. With the addition of a temperature controller/fan combo, it's that much better. However I'm now in a later season of life where convenience is a high priority. Also, both I and my wife now at 60+ get indigestion with heavily smoked meats. So, we'll be selling the Primo and getting a Lone Star Grillz pellet smoker. However, if you like the "old school" bbq flavor you get with a "stick burner" offset smoker, but you hate having to mind the fire for low and slow cooking, get a Primo. You can cook hot and fast, low and slow, and it makes an amazing pizza oven.
Have had this for years, and it's still my favorite cooker. I have purchased 8 additional cookers and while I like the ease of use of the Pellet smoker and a Weber 26" Kettle is very versatile and cost efficient, my Primo XL is still top dog. It's been extremely durable, and as you pointed out, the shape, width of this cooker makes it super nice for ribs and briskets plus the two-zone cooking ability. All these pluses are a big deal! Plus, Plus only one MADE IN THE USA!!!
It would depend on what someone needs. A Kamado has a learning curve that can be difficult to someone just starting out. Whereas, a pellet grill is pretty much user friendly. I have a pellet and a kamado and they each have their use. Plus, the kamado is my go to in the winter as it holds heat so well and it gets cold here in Chicago.
My my recommendation of grills would be to get something that you can use when the power goes out. The kamado Joe konnect is on my radar because it i can get the benefit of electric and maintain it old school
I have a primo oval xl with bbq guru pit controller and 1st gen Oklahoma Joe dlx 1200 pellet (admittedly probably the worst pellet grill to represent the pellet category) they weigh the same, primo cooks better , controls temp better, uses less fuel for longer cooks, my particular pellet grill is a disaster to clean ..as far as moving the primo , take all the pieces out, unbolt and remove the lid and reassemble wherever your gonna put it .. or get a Potlifter makes it super easy (I’ve moved mine to 5 different houses.. I’m kind of a pro)
I have both the Large and the XL plus 3 different Recteqs and a BGE XL. Let me reassure you that the Primo is the king of all grills. It’s easy to manage, holds heat and moisture very well in food plus they make amazing pizza plus the easiest warranty you ever seen. I had an older Xl given to me and yes I have 2 XL’s and one large but needed a replacement band on the one given me. Without a question they sent me a new band. Get one, you won’t regret it. They are my go to grill used almost every day.
I've had a primo xl for well over 10 years, but i got a better bench type cart. I've got pellet smokers and a nice offset, and they all got their place. But this is an excellent all-around bbq and the best ceramic one for sure.
I think you get better results with a kamado style or an offset (though I've never used one, I've done a lot of research). But you can get good results with a pellet smoker and you can get into one for substantially less money. Pellet smokers are also much easier to use/adapt to for new people. Personally I think a pellet smoker is better for most people for its ease of use and lower cost of entry. The kamado or offset are much more for enthusiasts or people chasing the best results.
I've got mine set up for two zone cooking all the time. It's a steak, chicken, and pork machine. But i do use my pellet smoker most of all for convenience.
Well I have a pellet smoker and wood/charcoal grill and I love the easy use of my pellet smoker but I hate relying on electricity to cook/smoke and any issues that I’ve had with the circuit board that have failed. So it’s a love hate. Now that I’m looking for a new one I’m leaning towards a all in one ceramic grill/smoker
For the reverse searing, you didn’t show how the stainless steel grates can be inverted and moving your ribeye down closer to the coals…. A very good innovation….
@thebarbecuelab great job David and Melissa. I've always wanted a primo xl. I got a killer deal on a kamado joe classic a few years ago. I think the only thing primo needs to do their game on new accessories.
I think you have to ask the person, how patient are they? If not very go pellet, if they are and normally have extra time to cook then go kamado. Kamados take time to set up get the charcoal lit and up to temperature. Pellet is quick and painless.
Another well-done video and review. To answer your question about Pellet Grill vs Kamado, Pellet grills are a great choice if you want a hands-off grilling experience and consistent temperatures. They are also easier to use, especially if you are new to barbecue. The negatives are that many have a hard time getting hotter than 500F, so if you do a lot of searing, it might not be the one to choose. Kamado grills offer exceptional heat retention and versatility, making them suitable for a wide range of cooking styles. However, they require more setup and attention and can be more challenging to clean. In general, they also cost more than the average pellet grill. Ultimately, the best grill for you depends on your budget, cooking preferences, and desired level of convenience. I still choose the pellet grill over the kamado, but only because I'm lazy. Kamado can be fun, but they are also a lot of work.
I usually set my overnight cooks around 200 degrees F, but this time it wanted to run at 215. It held 200 for about 2 hours before I went to sleep, but I could tell it was fighting hard to stay down that low. I told the controller 215 and it cruised from there.
I’ve owned kamados and pellet grills. When both were in my backyard I found the kamado would collect dust because the pellet grill was so much more convenient. I’m sure I’m not alone. Pellet grills rock. Get one that can sear like the Weber and you will have an all-in-one solution that makes food so good you’ll forget about charcoal cookers.
I've owned a Primo XL since 2014. With a Billows and Thermoworks Signals I can control the temperature as easily as a pellet. But I live in Duluth MN and I've grilled Christmas prime rib when it was -20 degrees outside. No pellet grill that I know of would hold temperature at that ambient temp but a kamado doesn't care. It held the temp of 350 despite the ambient temp without worries and delivered a perfect prime rib in 3 hours, pulled with internal temp of 125. Also, I've had ribs cooked on a pellet grill and they are not as smokey as on the Primo. That statement is obviously subjective. Traeger now has insulated grilles and I've not seen them in action in bitter cold. But the traditional pellet grill is going to lose heat from it's thin metal skin whereas a kamado doesn't. Kamados also retain moisture since the only escape is through the vent. That makes them forgiving. We all can use a little forgiveness!
I've had a Primo Oval XL since 2011. It is a very versatile cooking tool. With the addition of a temperature controller/fan combo, it's that much better. However I'm now in a later season of life where convenience is a high priority. Also, both I and my wife now at 60+ get indigestion with heavily smoked meats. So, we'll be selling the Primo and getting a Lone Star Grillz pellet smoker. However, if you like the "old school" bbq flavor you get with a "stick burner" offset smoker, but you hate having to mind the fire for low and slow cooking, get a Primo. You can cook hot and fast, low and slow, and it makes an amazing pizza oven.
Have had this for years, and it's still my favorite cooker. I have purchased 8 additional cookers and while I like the ease of use of the Pellet smoker and a Weber 26" Kettle is very versatile and cost efficient, my Primo XL is still top dog. It's been extremely durable, and as you pointed out, the shape, width of this cooker makes it super nice for ribs and briskets plus the two-zone cooking ability. All these pluses are a big deal! Plus, Plus only one MADE IN THE USA!!!
It would depend on what someone needs. A Kamado has a learning curve that can be difficult to someone just starting out. Whereas, a pellet grill is pretty much user friendly. I have a pellet and a kamado and they each have their use. Plus, the kamado is my go to in the winter as it holds heat so well and it gets cold here in Chicago.
My my recommendation of grills would be to get something that you can use when the power goes out. The kamado Joe konnect is on my radar because it i can get the benefit of electric and maintain it old school
I have both a Primo and an LSG pellet. I think they both have a place. Plus can’t wait to see what you are doing with that LSG Cabinet
I've owned Traeger, Primo, KJ, Hasty Bake.
Primo is the best one, IMO
I have a primo oval xl with bbq guru pit controller and 1st gen Oklahoma Joe dlx 1200 pellet (admittedly probably the worst pellet grill to represent the pellet category) they weigh the same, primo cooks better , controls temp better, uses less fuel for longer cooks, my particular pellet grill is a disaster to clean ..as far as moving the primo , take all the pieces out, unbolt and remove the lid and reassemble wherever your gonna put it .. or get a Potlifter makes it super easy (I’ve moved mine to 5 different houses.. I’m kind of a pro)
I have both the Large and the XL plus 3 different Recteqs and a BGE XL. Let me reassure you that the Primo is the king of all grills. It’s easy to manage, holds heat and moisture very well in food plus they make amazing pizza plus the easiest warranty you ever seen. I had an older Xl given to me and yes I have 2 XL’s and one large but needed a replacement band on the one given me. Without a question they sent me a new band. Get one, you won’t regret it. They are my go to grill used almost every day.
I've had a primo xl for well over 10 years, but i got a better bench type cart.
I've got pellet smokers and a nice offset, and they all got their place.
But this is an excellent all-around bbq and the best ceramic one for sure.
My opinion, coal and wood make better flavored bbq. However they take more work. I use a pellet grill for that reason.
I think you get better results with a kamado style or an offset (though I've never used one, I've done a lot of research). But you can get good results with a pellet smoker and you can get into one for substantially less money. Pellet smokers are also much easier to use/adapt to for new people. Personally I think a pellet smoker is better for most people for its ease of use and lower cost of entry. The kamado or offset are much more for enthusiasts or people chasing the best results.
I've got mine set up for two zone cooking all the time. It's a steak, chicken, and pork machine.
But i do use my pellet smoker most of all for convenience.
I hear that.
Just seen a xxl in person so dang big love it, thanks for the review.
Well I have a pellet smoker and wood/charcoal grill and I love the easy use of my pellet smoker but I hate relying on electricity to cook/smoke and any issues that I’ve had with the circuit board that have failed. So it’s a love hate. Now that I’m looking for a new one I’m leaning towards a all in one ceramic grill/smoker
At 6:27 what is that cooker i see in the back did i miss a review on that verticle offset?
For the reverse searing, you didn’t show how the stainless steel grates can be inverted and moving your ribeye down closer to the coals…. A very good innovation….
@thebarbecuelab great job David and Melissa. I've always wanted a primo xl. I got a killer deal on a kamado joe classic a few years ago. I think the only thing primo needs to do their game on new accessories.
Only a couple pellet cookers can grill properly. The Weber is the only one that’s affordable. The others are ok with grill grates but not great.
I think you have to ask the person, how patient are they? If not very go pellet, if they are and normally have extra time to cook then go kamado. Kamados take time to set up get the charcoal lit and up to temperature. Pellet is quick and painless.
Another well-done video and review.
To answer your question about Pellet Grill vs Kamado,
Pellet grills are a great choice if you want a hands-off grilling experience and consistent temperatures. They are also easier to use, especially if you are new to barbecue. The negatives are that many have a hard time getting hotter than 500F, so if you do a lot of searing, it might not be the one to choose.
Kamado grills offer exceptional heat retention and versatility, making them suitable for a wide range of cooking styles. However, they require more setup and attention and can be more challenging to clean. In general, they also cost more than the average pellet grill.
Ultimately, the best grill for you depends on your budget, cooking preferences, and desired level of convenience.
I still choose the pellet grill over the kamado, but only because I'm lazy. Kamado can be fun, but they are also a lot of work.
Do plan to do a review on the Spider Grills THE HUNTSMAN?
Yes please review it!
Kamodo can do everything.
Kamado by far. It doesn't rely on electricity.
What temp did you set for the overnight portion of the cook?
I usually set my overnight cooks around 200 degrees F, but this time it wanted to run at 215. It held 200 for about 2 hours before I went to sleep, but I could tell it was fighting hard to stay down that low. I told the controller 215 and it cruised from there.
The Huntsman can do it all as well! For less money too! ;)
huntsman owners represent!
Did you test making pizza on the Primo?
I can’t get over how expensive these damn things are.
I’ve owned kamados and pellet grills. When both were in my backyard I found the kamado would collect dust because the pellet grill was so much more convenient. I’m sure I’m not alone. Pellet grills rock. Get one that can sear like the Weber and you will have an all-in-one solution that makes food so good you’ll forget about charcoal cookers.
I think I’d prefer to have a normal charcoal grill and a separate pellet grill IMHO
I have a primo xl and a rectec 700. I love them both but the rectec is much easier. If you are only going together one idea say pellet.
Little pricey.
But worth it.