Bubba Keg - Assembly

After implying that I needed to get a first hand look at a Bubba Keg to answer some of my questions (Review: Bubba Keg), the folks there obliged by sending me an evaluation unit.  And today, I completed the assembly and cooked on it for the first time.

The unit was really well packaged.  Based on my experience with a Big Green Egg, I was glad to find that the lid and hinge were pre-assembled and attached to the body of the cooker.  The directions were straightforward and the Bubba Keg was easily assembled in just a few minutes.  The only time I wished for an extra pair of hands was during the placement of the cooker on the stand.  It slides onto the stand just as it slides into a receiver hitch for transportation on your vehicle.  I was able to accomplish this by myself, but I'd recommend finding someone to help.

Once I got it assembled, I coated the cooking grate and top damper (these are cast iron) with cooking spray.  Then, I added just a small amount of lump charcoal in the firebox and lit it with my MAPP torch.  It quickly came up to temp as I expected with this basic design.  In fact, I was at 500° in about 15 minutes.  I let it cook at this temp for almost two hours just to burn the "new" off of it and to season the cast iron parts.

Once I felt it had seasoned enough, I put a few burgers on for dinner.  It cooked nicely and my family couldn't tell that I hadn't cooked dinner on my BGE.  I look forward to cooking on it some more.  I can't wait to transport it on a couple of outings that I have coming up and to try low & slow cooking.

As a side note, I received an update from the folks at  Bubba Keg that the price for the unit has been adjusted to $599.  It's now available at Home Depot and select Sam's Club stores at that price.

Stay tuned!
Cheers,
Braddog

Comments

[Chris]

I've been waiting to read your review about this since I've known you got one. Robert got one too and his info has been helpful but I was most interested in a review by someone with Egg experience for a comparison.

Can you remove the raised grid or do you have to use both grids every time? How did the gasket/seal handle the high heat on such an early cook?

I could share a few beers asking questions all night:)

[braddog]

So far, I've only grilled on it. But I have to say that it came up to temp very quickly and stayed hot for an exceptionally long time. The gasket is completely different than a BGE. It's kind of a rubber-type gasket but it held up fine to the heat.

The raised grate can be removed. I had it in the Keg to season and when I got ready to cook the burgers, I just didn't want to fool with moving the hot grate.

I'd like to try to smoke something. Maybe this weekend?

Cheers,
Braddog

[Bubba Keg Assembly GrillandBar]

[...] Bubba Keg Assembly GrillandBarrel com Posted by root 23 hours ago (http://grillandbarrel.com) Once i got it assembled i coated the cooking grate and top damper these are cast iron with cooking spray then i added just a small Discuss  |  Bury |  News | bubba keg assembly grillandbarrel com [...]