The Usual Suspects Plus A Few You Need To Know About!

Hey Grilllerssssssssss!

The other night I was having some problems getting to sleep, excitement perhaps of what's ahead for The Grateful Griller as I set my compass bearings for 2011, a year that I'm anticipating will be full of kamado excitement and parties not to mention demo's, and other cool projects I have lined up.  I got to thinking in the silence of the night about what I have learned so far on this journey with the kamado cooker and the reality that there are literally so many people, in the millions in fact who haven't the foggiest idea that the kamado even exists!

After all, it makes sense that in an industry like conventional "bbq"which registers in the billions of dollars on our continent, certain product related gems like the kamado can get lost, even buried amongst the piles of other mass produced items, cookers, widgets and gizmo's etc but perhaps that's exactly what these kamado manufactures want, a chance to fly under the radar, carve out their niche and territory in given markets and get on with it, it being a somewhat simpler life in a slow n steady wins the race style. I respect this approach but I have one BIG problem friends! The kamado cooker has inspired me so much over the past decade that somedays I feel like my head is going to explode right off my shoulders because of how much information is still needed to get across to the masses from Canada to Katmandu on the kamado!

As I continue to tell my stories and attempt to inspire as many people as I can on the positive benefits of the kamado I think its important to reiterate the companies who are making an impact and producing kamado's that at the very least need to be talked about, explored, researched and compared before making your final purchase. I happened to be watching one of my favorite Kevin Spacey flicks the other night, hence the title of this post, "The Usual Suspects" when a few of these thoughts came to mind.

In the beginning for me as some of you know it was all about The Big Green Egg! My branding, my passion, my knowledge and the way I articulated this knowledge to my client base completely revolved around this product that had swept me off my feet so to speak, crazy but true! Little did I realize it at the time but what was transpiring for both myself and my client base amongst all the excitement was the birth and evolution of what today is known as "The Grateful Griller", my own brand, my own idea's and plans to bring a global audience a message, facts without fiction on how the kamado cooker can enhance your deck life, your daily meals, your own parties with the people who matter most to you and then leave it up to the people to purchase a kamado or not, simple as that!

Today, everyone is being sold something! I know this because after all, I have spent over twenty years selling products of various shapes and sizes for a living and when I worked for other brands I took pride and wore that name on my sleeve and still do to a certain extent with my own concept and why not? All we need to do is look all around us, billboards, ads, banners, buses and magazines are everywhere! Everyone has a story and an angle but how does one get the truth today, the dirt on products or services that need to be discovered? The answer is find that transparent entrepreneur, that passionate soul who knows what they are talking about in their given field, unbiased in their opinions, relentless in their ambition to drive forward with facts and the chops to back those facts up, that's how! Sounds kinda like finding a needle in a hay stack but god bless the internet for allowing uber niche companies both big and small the opportunity to build their own foundations to stand upon and spread a message and hopefully a super positive one at that!

I love coming away from a party I have thrown knowing that the formula I have created to inspire and entertain my clients works! They have been introduced to a totally different party experience and been able to taste the difference that the kamado makes and if they need and or want additional information on any of the notable kamado cookers that exist today I have that ready as well, along with the sound advice on what they should be looking for before investing in a kamado!

So, what should you invest in as it relates to the kamado cooker? Loaded question!!!!! First, you have to ask yourself a few questions.

1. How often will you be cooking?

2. How many people will you be cooking for on a regular basis?

3. How much space do you have on your deck?

4. What kind of budget do you have for the investment?

Once you have answered these questions it comes down to choosing your kamado of choice to take you into the next dimension of grilling/cooking!  As we come to the end of 2010 and look ahead to 2011 and beyond here are the "usual suspects" and a few you might never have heard of before but take it from the "grateful griller" friends, they all come to the table with their own unique stories, features and benefits, quirks and quarks and most importantly the ability to make any of your foods taste great!

1. Big Green Egg! The market leader by a long shot and a company that deserves some respect considering they were the first to the plate back in the seventies with this idea thanks to Ed Fischer! You'll pay a premium for the name but the kamado works wonders on anything you throw at it! BGE has become a lot better at producing accessories for their kamado's to enhance your grilling parties! My favorite model is the large even though the medium is what inspired me to become as passionate as I am about these cookers.

2. Kamado Joe! Heads up BGE as these guys just might be your biggest competition in the years to come as they look identical to the worlds apparent no.1 but have a story all to their own and a cooker that does the job day in and day out! Sharp marketing and accessories as well as color options are setting them apart and they have successfully packaged their story better than most in the business! Did I mention that they come pre-assembled which makes my heart flutter indeed! faster set up means more time to chill and grill!

3. Primo!  As I have stated in the past and I'll say it again, "P" stands for Primo and "V" stands for versatility, case closed! The third oldest kamado brand in North America, Primo pack a punch with their oval cookers and their accessories rock for the design they have created! Their XL oval's are one of a few favorites of the "Grateful Griller Party Experience"and have been turning heads up here in Canada for the past few years for sure! Coming to the table with a made in the USA story even Bruce Springsteen would be impressed with the results these kamado's churn out! Bravo boys!

4. GrillDome!  The second oldest brand in the category in the North American marketplace gets my applause for a cooker that not only looks great but performs really nicely as well! Exotic color options, stainless steel accessories, Terepex ceramic story and by far one of the nicest families I have ever engaged with over phone and email, these guys know all about customer service and being there for there fan base! can't wait to see further developments in years to come and also gets delivered fully assembled!

5.  Saffire!  You've all heard of the little guy who packs a punch? Saffire is that little guy and their cooker has started turning heads, no doubt! At first glance one would think its a Dragon Fire but make no mistake, its its own cooker that got put through the Kaffe 1870 test this past summer with over 400 meals cooked on it and its rocking away leaving everyone in ahhhhhhhhh! lean and mean pricing and pre-assembly means simplicity! can't wait to see further developments from these folks as they continue building a major fan base!

6.  Kamado King!  Kamado who you might ask and why haven't I heard of them? Well, the truth is the company's fairly small but the product works well and the chap who owns the company is as interesting as his creation! Based out of New York its the least expensive kamado that I have come across that comes with a full warranty and a guy who's been at this business a hell of a long time! The product comes in two colors and with no thrills or frills but the price tag's sharp at approx $600 Canadian, WOW! The chicken for the record rocks as well!

7.  Komodo Kamado!!!!!!!!  You know that expression saving the best for last? Well, to be fair one realistically cannot and should not compare this masterpiece with any of the ceramic based cookers on the market today because its not ceramic, but refractory instead! That's right, the most insulating kamado cooker of its kind, the only kind that hails from Bali Indonesia. Beautiful doesn't begin to describe it and its every detail. To this day I am still amazed at not only how it cooks but how it looks and operates with cutting edge precision! Not only will you see more from this company as they gain popularity but you will see others taking notes and trying to make their kamado's better because of this company. A truly unique kamado for those who demand the very best in category!

Ok friends, there you have it! The most notable kamado's plus a few you may have never heard of but rest assure there will be more coming soon to a city, town or village near you! Whatever you choose to invest in, know your investing in a special kind of product and remember, there's a lot of garbage in this wide world of ours so do your homework or ping me an email cos I love hearing from you all!  Until we meet again, feed the fire and the desire to take your grilling games higher!!!!!!!!!!!!

Recently I purchased and have been in love with Florence & The Machine and this tune called "cosmic love"! Need I say more? I got loads of inspiration pouring all over me when I came up with these next few lines inspired by this band! Grill on........

Cosmic Kamado Love


The stars, the moon, the sky have been blown up and why?
You and I are telling our story, forget the glory, this is about the bigger picture.
Smoke, fire and earthen vessel!
Desire to take and make the impossible possible!
A falling star plummets from a far as I walk away from the bar on a whim and a prayer I stare at the river going by and I sigh for I know tomorrow will hold more promise.


Like a busker I muster the confidence to carry on singing my kamado song!
For every mile of paved road, there's two miles of ditch and instead of pondering it like a bitch I look upon it like an additional stitch in the kamado quilt I am making without forsaking what really counts in this life.


So go forward I will with this dream to make the people scream for more as they hit the floor dancing like they never have before!
Whatever you do don't ignore their wishes to learn more about this life and this passion for its not some trendy fashion, here today and gone tomorrow!


So come on and follow me, let's be free and agree that food, family, friends and music will get us where we need to go as we bump and grind to this life's to and fro!


G to the G!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Grateful Griller: Stairway To Komodo Kamado Heaven Part 2!

The Grateful Griller: Stairway To Komodo Kamado Heaven Part 2!: "Hey family, friends, and fans alike! I am without a doubt so excited to tell you all about my adventures over the last few weeks of e..."

Grateful Griller's Cookin With The Kunstadt Krew While Sharing Passion For Kamado And Singing In The Key Of Ski!!!!!!

Hey grillers all across the land!

So, I get asked all the time what I do when the high season ends for the "Grateful Griller Party Experience" and I thought to myself the other day, why not share my other passion with you all which is for skiing! Ever since I can remember I have been totally in love with this sport and awesome mode of transportation. Having been born and raised in the Laurentian mountain area north of Montreal you could say that I was fortunate enough to have a blessed upbringing in, by far, one of the countries most beautiful areas and these fond memories travel with me to this day.

Winters then were epic and I remember like it was yesterday yearning to see the first snow fall of the season and skipping school to get first tracks at any one of dozens of ski hills that exist in this area. What started out as a passion for alpine skiing quickly turned into passion for cross country as a discipline and then onto telemark skiing as well.  Both my brother and I, him being older and me being better looking, lol, were competitive to the core and still are and there's nothing better I enjoy to this day then hooking up with him for a few days of skiing and barley pops at the days end topped off with you guessed it, a fat juicy steak grilled to perfection by yours truly! It also gives us a chance to check in on our father who still lives in Ste. Agathe des Monts where we were born.

Over the past few years I have taken the winters off partly due and thanks to my wife, a.k.a. "sugar momma" and partly because it is so important to me to get to ski with my daughter as much as possible before she doesn't think I'm cool anymore. This year however is different and I have taken up partial residency for the winter at Kunstadt Sports in Ottawa's Glebe community back in a field that I know and understand well, the world of ski retail! In my former life as a seasoned sales rep for a variety of companies spanning a fifteen year career you could say I met a few great people and made some connections along the way. Two of those connections were Eric and Ron Kunstadt of Kunstadt Sports and although I never did very much business with them as a rep I always enjoyed stopping into the Kanata location and checking in to see what what was shaking in their world.

When I refer to their world I mean a world based and focussed on customer service and ski knowledge like no other in the business. These born and bread European stock passionate skiers started stringing tennis rackets as the story goes in their parents basement back in the late eighties and now are one of the key players in the Ottawa ski/snowboard market, hands down! They like my brother and I were competitive to the core in ski jumping and technical events and when I considered going back to a retail position and after finding out that they had recently leased a new location and their third in the city my decision was pretty easy. I also spent a great deal of time in this building when it was owned by a nearby competitor and was known as a ski shop location for years in the city. I made the call to Eric and we had a coffee and the rest as they say is history.

As it turns out my decision was a great one as I now work with some really great people who, like me, have a common interest in the business and the ski/snowboard world. The youthful staff and managers keep me young and on my toes, thank-you Sarah and Adam and Aimee King well, words can't describe your constant buzz, like bees to honey! Nick, Sam, Matt, keep being the cool cats that you are and Angelica, oh Angelica, I can't find the words!!!!! LOL!!!!! Eric T. and Mike P and I can't forget Neil, keep being real in the tech shop down under!  I feel really lucky to have worked for a handful of the best ski shops in Canada in my opinion over the years. First, I got my start at Sporting Life in Toronto's north end, then I went westward to Banff and had the opportunity to work for Monod Sports who are an institution in their own right as it relates to the ski business and now I find myself full circle back in the city that my repping career started in with once again, legends in the ski business!

If you would have asked me a couple of years back if I could have seen myself back in retail I would have said without a doubt, no way, not a chance, but the truth is I'm addicted to my passions and my obsession's with life's natural highs that I get from grilling, chilling and carving huge lines in perfect corduroy or accepting the epic face shot with open arms, yes my friends this is the life of the "Grateful Griller" in his low season if there is such a thing, constantly trying to work less and play more and always striving to live life on the rockin ragged edge!

So if you happen to be cruising by 680 Bank St. in the Glebe in Ottawa and see the "enterprise" parked in the lot, ( you can't miss my truck people) come on in and say hello! If your looking for skis, snowboards, apparel or service we can help you without a doubt and if its a party you want to throw in the near future, consider The Grateful Griller open for business and taking bookings! Until we do meet in person, feed your fires and passionate desires to take all your grilling games higher!  The next few lines came to me while listening to some awesome, not to  mention vintage Groove Armada! Love these guys and this little lyrical slam session got penned in less than five minutes! What can I say, a new personal best! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!

G Love and special sauce.........

Can I Grill With You?


I'd like to know your name, I'd like to grill with you, can I take you home?
Thrill to grill, relax and chill.
One desire, to start the fire.
An elevated state, let's not hesitate.
Sauces and rubs, like bubbles in a tub, soothing for the restless soul!
Show me yours, I'll show you mine.
Steaks to heat, smell so sweet, ditch the pda and the tweet, tweet, tweet!
Its deck time now for all to savor, pull up a chair, what's your flavor?
Ahhhhh the rush, in a setting so plush, perfect time to flush all life's bads away and at the top of our voices declare this to be the greatest day to be alive as we all strive to take this party higher!


The fires sooo hot like snap, crackle, pop!
Bailey's to dip, forget the chips, your so hip, doin back flips, 
Pants done splits, they need some zips, ahhhh the taste of a sugar hiccup! 
I'd like to know your name, I'd like to grill with you, can I take you home?
The night so full, the sand man now pulls at eyelids yearning for rest.
This party was a test, for the best has yet to come with tomorrow's rising sun in the shape of continued kamado games and firey, smokey fun.


Rest now grilling soldiers, for in the morning we will be all the wiser and older as we stare into coal still a smolder as it burns into our minds along with all the great times!
Blazin trails and setting our sails as we pen new tales from the kamado crypt!


Peace..........

Stairway To Komodo Kamado Heaven Part 2!

Hey family, friends, and fans alike!

I am without a doubt so excited to tell you all about my adventures over the last few weeks of excitement in and around the "gto" deck in the best little village in all the land, Wakefield of coarse!  So as most of you know by now, I took delivery a few weeks ago of by far the most incredible kamado cooker I have ever had the pleasure of setting my eyes and hands on, ever!!!!!!!!!!! You'd think by now that I have grilled on it at least a couple dozen times and I have all these awesome things to tell you about the way it performs but no, no,no,no,no,no my friends, that isn't the case at all. In fact, I have been in virtual ahhhh of this refractory stallion from Bali Indonesia since it arrived on my deck and have not yet fired it up which I will explain in a bit.

In fact, the day it arrived in one piece I stood on the driveway watching the delivery truck back up and I could hear the bagpipes and fireworks going off in my head as goose bumps formed from the tip of my kamado, grill obsessed, twisted cranium, to the very ends of my toe nails. With a tear in my eye this delivery I thought to myself deserved the red carpet and some, considering the research and time I have taken over the last year and a half to get to know the design features from a far and the story of this extraordinary piece of culinary art not to mention the man responsible for its creation, Mr. Dennis Linkletter.

I have had the pleasure of getting to know Dennis over this time via telephone and email and he is the grandson of the late Art Linkletter, famous for his roles in "Kids Say The Darndest Things" and "Hootenanny", truly an American icon. I recall like it was yesterday connecting with Dennis for the first time over the phone and it was as if two over the top passionate people collided for the better over one common interest, the kamado cooker! What I thought at the time was going to be a five minute conversation to introduce myself and share my enthusiasm and passion for this cooking medium turned into an almost two hour ordeal and without a word of a lie I was sweating with excitement by the end of the conversation!

I didn't expect it but I was elated at Dennis's all out style, manner and excitement over the phone, a true inventor I thought, the man behind it all on the phone with me combing the subject of kamado like nothing I had heard before, truly exciting beyond belief. He'd speak and then I'd speak and then he'd tell a story and I'd come back with one of my own and on and on it went until we both realized we had our families to get back to until our next chat, lol!

What I also found fascinating about Dennis at a distance was the way in which he could describe the most intricate of details regarding his product with a kind of emotion and accuracy that is rare in our volume driven, mass market world today. Everything from the beginnings of Komodo Kamado as a company to the research and lengths that he has gone to to learn and understand the science and technology of it all blows my freaking mind! For the record, I learn so much from him when we speak that I have made it mandatory to have pen and paper in hand like a newbie university student taking in my favorite lecture of the day.

The OTB 2 Komodo Kamado stands over four feet tall and due to its incredibly unique and shapely curvature, it appears to be proudly standing at attention with chest out for all to admire while its base resembles that of a national class ballay dancers feet, poised and ready for the next move. Its exquisite custom tiled finish is called "matte ocean green" for which I have re-named it using the Spanish translation, "El Oceano Verde"as it's warm features instantly remind me of the spectacular Mexican background and village my family visit almost every year on the Pacific.

From CNC laser cut technology to 82 mind blowing pounds of stainless steel alone to acme threaded rods and a lid that opens as if a genie were about to emerge and grant you countless culinary wishes, the Komodo Kamado should and probably will have its own full page in Robb Report one day as the undisputed kamado heavyweight champion of the world! For obvious reasons I couldn't comment before I saw this masterpiece in person but now that I have I will forever compare it to the MacLaren F1 or perhaps the Aston DB12 of the automotive industry for it clearly has been created by a man, an artist and a team that utilize only the very best methods to fabricate and the highest quality materials known to mankind.

As of the new year, The Grateful Griller will be launching a video based initiative appropriately titled "Stairway To Kamado Heaven" whereby I will be exposing many wonderful aspects of the "grilled to obsession" lifestyle and the fun that virtually anyone can have once they commit to the kamado ways and with a tiny bit of imagination an entire world of flavors, tastes and great times are to be had and you will be able to catch these on the worldwide web or via my blog and yes, you will all get to see much more of the Komodo Kamado in action as it accompanies me on many exciting not to mention delicious journeys as we explore many a recipe and beverage on the "gto" deck!

I would like to personally thank Dennis for his trust, faith and confidence in me and concept that is "The Grateful Griller" and I am so very excited to tell his story and show off his art form to and for anyone interested to know more about the kamado of all kamado's! As for not firing it up yet, well, I'm planning on having a few close friends over who have been kind enough over the last few years to support me and my journey with "K" and whom I have a feeling will be here with me for many more celebrations to come as I inspire many more people to embrace the "grilled to obsession" lifestyle around the world! After all, a master piece like this deserves a special kind of ceremony to toast what's yet to come and as ironic as it sounds, I realize that I probably will not ever truly own this "Komodo Kamado" but will merely take care of it for the next generation of 'grateful griller's to come!


Now it would make the most sense to utilize some classic Led Zepp slam poetry to a posting like this but that's going to have to wait until the next tale from the grateful vault because as it happens the last few weeks I have been really into my Peter Gabriel back catalog and as some of you probably know Gabriel has done some pretty incredible things musically in his life and I'm a huge fan without a doubt! The other day before finalizing this post I had one of his best tunes cranking in the background and well, thoughts of smoke and fire and taking my grilling games higher took over and the rest as they say is history! The next few lines were most certainly inspired by Peter Gabriel and altered by yours truly. May you all enjoy and savor the holiday season with those who matter most to you and let's give thanks to living in such a great country with such an abundance of delicious foods! Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah to all and keep feeding your passionate desires to take these games higher!!!!!!!!!!

Grill on friends, grill on..........

Papa G

Grilling Games Without Frontiers


Weber has a red flag.
Broil Kings is blue.
They all have hills to show off their grills except for little "K" who?
The strange one in the corner made of clay wants to play, but the big boys won't listen!
Instead, they'll be missin out cos they figure they've got the clout while preachin the gospel on gas.
No thanks I say, GG's gonna pass and create my own kinda class, eye level with the world en mass!


Whistling tunes while grilling our balsamic shrooms by the deckside!
Whistling tunes while playing with your sweet smoky plumes amongst a gas jungle.
We're on the look out for grilling games without frontiers and fat steaks without fears of no flavor!


Your gonna be so popular "K"!
Your gonna be so popular with me by your side!
If looks could kill you would, should and will as you stand confidently amongst giants!
One look at your shape and your knack at making steak melt in the mouths of the masses!
Our Grateful Grilling classes will be foodie, friendly, family filled musically inspired bonanza's!
Off the cuff, but from the heart, as fun today as it was at the start of our journey together!


Whistling tunes while grilling our balsamic shrooms by the deckside.
Whistling tunes while playing with your sweet smoky plumes amongst a gas jungle.
We're on the lookout for grilling games without frontiers and fat steaks without fears of no flavor!
You and me are gonna stand firm and strong and keep preachin our smoky song to any and all who want to listen "K"!


Mass produced and affordable tin boxes come with empty promises of instant skill to thrill on the grill!
Not us "K", we've got a different story because passion is priceless and our DNA's are a match, so let's strike it and catch a fire and welcome the world's grateful grillers to take their grilling games,
higher, higher and higher!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!