Grilling with a Kamado Ceramic Grill...

jon s
jon s Posts: 905
edited April 2012 in The Clubhouse
I just bought a Visions Ceramic Kamado style grill from Costco... I was tired of replacing or repairing my gas grills every couple of years... The grill was $580. I understand that the Kamado style grill is great for both smoking and grilling. It is a massive but compact unit with 18" circular grill size, more or less the size of the medium Weber grills. It weighs 228 lbs.

I was wondering if there was any type of breaking in required to prevent the ceramic housing from cracking on initial use. I understand you can smoke meats for 11-14 hours on this thing (more or less unattended) without adjusting charcoal at temperatures of 200-225 degrees. I understand I do need a plate setter for indirect heating for smoking meats on this unit. While Visions does not make a plate setter, I was wondering if the Big Green Egg plate setter would fit.

I would also like some hints and tips on how to smoke meats on this unit if anyone has experience with a Kamado grill... Thanks in advance.

grill-rightcol2.jpg
Post edited by jon s on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited April 2012
    I would say at least 100-150 hours breakin time.
    Then I would put spikes on it.
    Just makes the meat taste "cleaner" IMHO.
    Then cryo the..........no BS that is a good looking grill/smoker.:cheesygrin:

    Wish I had some constructive help for you, but I do not know enough about them.
    Just pm me when the meat is done, and we can talk about US Postal's "Overnight" service!:cheesygrin:
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,147
    edited April 2012
    That is a great looking grill for sure.

    I would hope for that price, the home company would have all the info you could ask for. I'll bet the steaks will cook evenly on that.

    Congrats!!
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Tbone289
    Tbone289 Posts: 661
    edited April 2012
    It seems like a good deal compared to the $850 18" Big Green Egg. I've never used one of the ceramics, but sure would like to. I wouldn't be surprised at all if the Big Green Egg accessories fit this. Size and design seem very similar.

    18" is the size of a small Weber. Medium Webers are 22.5".
    2.1: PC>Schiit Gungnir MB>Schiit Freya Noval>NAD C-270>Ascend Acoustics Sierra-1, HSU STF-2 5.1: HDMI Bitstream>Denon AVR-1910>polkaudio RTE55, CS350-LS, RT3, HSU STF-2, Visio M55-F0
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,615
    edited April 2012
    oh my god... not a thread on THIS again!! @_@
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited April 2012
    VR3 wrote: »
    oh my god... not a thread on THIS again!! @_@

    I know! Paul brought up breaking in you grill for 100 to 150 hours! That's crazier than breaking in your cables!:razz::wink::eek::cheesygrin:

    Greg
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jon s
    jon s Posts: 905
    edited April 2012
    Sorry, should have searched the forum earlier.... But the BGE was not an option for me here in Hawaii... The only local dealer wanted $1250 for the large and $1500 for the XL BGE... Shipping to Hawaii is just to expensive. I had to ship a 50lb amp from Kansas to Hawaii a couple of years ago and it set me back $300 by Fedex. I'd hate to see how much it would be to ship a 200 lb BGE here. That's why I bought this unit from Costco.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jon s
    jon s Posts: 905
    edited April 2012
    Does anyone know if the BGE plate setter will fit in the Vision Grill?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fossy
    fossy Posts: 1,378
    edited April 2012
    Not sure if the plate setter will work .... I can take some measurements tomorrow after I get home from work ...... but here's a place with some info \ recepies & such .....http://www.nakedwhiz.com/ceramic.htm
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited April 2012
    I don't own one of these but heard great things. Try making a pizza on it, and see how it turns out. Also check out http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/f/
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • codyc1ark
    codyc1ark Posts: 2,532
    edited April 2012
    Sherardp wrote: »
    I don't own one of these but heard great things. Try making a pizza on it, and see how it turns out. Also check out http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/f/

    I'm a member over their, some great advice and seemingly a good group of guys there. I HIGHLY recommend you try this on the grill....

    http://allrecipes.com/recipe/cabbage-on-the-grill-2/

    I made that last night, and turned out wonderfull!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • strider
    strider Posts: 2,568
    edited April 2012
    codyc1ark wrote: »
    I'm a member over their, some great advice and seemingly a good group of guys there. I HIGHLY recommend you try this on the grill....

    http://allrecipes.com/recipe/cabbage-on-the-grill-2/

    I made that last night, and turned out wonderfull!

    We smoked a couple cabbages prepared in a similar way for St Patty's Day. Really turned out well. We sauteed onions and stuffed the middle with bacon before throwing it on. Good stuff!
    Wristwatch--->Crisco
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • codyc1ark
    codyc1ark Posts: 2,532
    edited April 2012
    strider wrote: »
    We smoked a couple cabbages prepared in a similar way for St Patty's Day. Really turned out well. We sauteed onions and stuffed the middle with bacon before throwing it on. Good stuff!

    Yum!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jbooker82
    jbooker82 Posts: 1,627
    edited April 2012
    Just fire it up with some charcoal and let it burn out. Get a webber chimny starter. They are about the best because the grate in the bottom is cone shaped so it exposes more charcoal to the inital flame when you light it.

    Best alternative to a BGE

    22.5" Webber for $85. The original dome cooker.

    007-1.jpg
    016.jpg
    AVR: Onkyo Tx-NR808
    Amplifier: Carver A-753x 250 watts x 3
    Fronts: Polk RTI A7 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Center: CSI A4 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Rear: FXI A4
    Sub: Polk DSW Pro 660wi
    TV: LG Infinia 50PX950 3D
    Speaker Cable: AudioQuest Type 8
    IC: AudioQuest Black Mamba II
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jbooker82
    jbooker82 Posts: 1,627
    edited April 2012
    Sherardp wrote: »
    I don't own one of these but heard great things. Try making a pizza on it, and see how it turns out. Also check out

    I have one of these and it works great.
    red_skiy_home_image.jpg
    AVR: Onkyo Tx-NR808
    Amplifier: Carver A-753x 250 watts x 3
    Fronts: Polk RTI A7 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Center: CSI A4 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Rear: FXI A4
    Sub: Polk DSW Pro 660wi
    TV: LG Infinia 50PX950 3D
    Speaker Cable: AudioQuest Type 8
    IC: AudioQuest Black Mamba II
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveducie
    steveducie Posts: 192
    edited April 2012
    i do love my Weber but that Kamado is thing of Beauty
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveducie
    steveducie Posts: 192
    edited April 2012
    jon s wrote: »
    I just bought a Visions Ceramic Kamado style grill from Costco... I was tired of replacing or repairing my gas grills every couple of years... The grill was $580. I understand that the Kamado style grill is great for both smoking and grilling. It is a massive but compact unit with 18" circular grill size, more or less the size of the medium Weber grills. It weighs 228 lbs.

    I was wondering if there was any type of breaking in required to prevent the ceramic housing from cracking on initial use. I understand you can smoke meats for 11-14 hours on this thing (more or less unattended) without adjusting charcoal at temperatures of 200-225 degrees. I understand I do need a plate setter for indirect heating for smoking meats on this unit. While Visions does not make a plate setter, I was wondering if the Big Green Egg plate setter would fit.

    I would also like some hints and tips on how to smoke meats on this unit if anyone has experience with a Kamado grill... Thanks in advance.

    grill-rightcol2.jpg

    How Grill by Steven Raichlen is a great book . has a lot of info on all types of grills including ceramic
    grills , hints plus different methods of grilling and beautiful illustrations.

    how_to_grill_lg.jpg
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,242
    edited April 2012
    jon s wrote: »
    I just bought a Visions Ceramic Kamado style grill from Costco... I was tired of replacing or repairing my gas grills every couple of years... The grill was $580. I understand that the Kamado style grill is great for both smoking and grilling. It is a massive but compact unit with 18" circular grill size, more or less the size of the medium Weber grills. It weighs 228 lbs.

    I was wondering if there was any type of breaking in required to prevent the ceramic housing from cracking on initial use. I understand you can smoke meats for 11-14 hours on this thing (more or less unattended) without adjusting charcoal at temperatures of 200-225 degrees. I understand I do need a plate setter for indirect heating for smoking meats on this unit. While Visions does not make a plate setter, I was wondering if the Big Green Egg plate setter would fit.

    I would also like some hints and tips on how to smoke meats on this unit if anyone has experience with a Kamado grill... Thanks in advance.

    grill-rightcol2.jpg

    All I know is with a BGE, you just cook. Nothing to rust out like a weber or gas grill. Nothing to break in or condition. World's Best Smoker for a reason.

    Wes
    Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

    Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter