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!!!!!!!!!!!!!
