First thoughts on the Bubba Keg

[OSD]

I have to say that they really pack these things good. It took longer to unpack things than it did to put it together. Putting it together was really easy. In all, it only took about 30 minutes to put things together. 2 - 1/2" nuts to tighten on the legs and 12 machine screws on the handles.
Now that it's ready to season, I guess I need to give it a name. Since it's a "Bubba", I'm thinkin' a Bubba name is in order. Maybe something like......BillyJoeRayBob.


the stand is very heavy and well braced


back part of stand brace and hinge


on the stand with the handles attached...the intake vent has a screen and is stainless


top vent is heavy cast iron


thermo can calibrated


main cooking grate is cast iron ( this is standard ). the grate is nice and smooth, well made. It can used at two different cooking heights ( built in ) the bottom fire grate is also cast iron. You can see it in the bottom in the pic.


this is the raised second level cooking grate.


Handy feature, it swivels out of the way to make it easier to tend to food on the main grate.


with the shelves snapped in place. nice feature, but this is the one thing I wasn't impressed with. they seem a little small and they could be heavier built, but time will tell.

It also comes with all the bars and pins for attaching it to your class 2-3 or 4 hitch to take it tailgating.
And it come with a multi-tool for lifting the grates, ash removal, and a couple other jobs.

Over-all I'm impressed with the fit and finish.

Now it's time to season all the cast iron and the get it dirty.

[JamesB]

Looks good all put together... Looking forward to the pics of you get'n it greasy!

[egghead]

Looks like you are going to have a lot of fun with it

Observations:

Looks like a metal komado - less opportunity for castostrophic ceramic damage

Pretty portable looking - prolly nice for camping, tailgating, etc.

Curious about what the gasket is made of - wondering how it will hold on low and slow - I know you will let us know

Thermometer goes to 800 - Prolly with the top off and the bottom vent wide open - nice for searing a steak then roasting at lower temps

Since there isn't a large mass of ceramic like a primo or BGE, you may be able to bring the temp down from nuclear much faster

Think I would go with lump

Nice and shiny inside - bet you will take care of that soon

[egghead]

Was there some sort of accesory for indirect cooking?

[Bluz]

that looks great Jim. I know I may have to look at those for some future purchases, so please keep us posted on how the cooking on one of these is liked.

[OSD]

Looks like you are going to have a lot of fun with it

Observations:

Looks like a metal komado - less opportunity for castostrophic ceramic damage

Pretty portable looking - prolly nice for camping, tailgating, etc.

Curious about what the gasket is made of - wondering how it will hold on low and slow - I know you will let us know

Thermometer goes to 800 - Prolly with the top off and the bottom vent wide open - nice for searing a steak then roasting at lower temps

Since there isn't a large mass of ceramic like a primo or BGE, you may be able to bring the temp down from nuclear much faster

Think I would go with lump

Nice and shiny inside - bet you will take care of that soon

The inside dimensions are the same as a Lg BGE.
I'll take a better pic of the gasket, but it is the same as used on convection ovens.
It's double walled with 2000° insulation in between the walls. Not sure how fast it will come back down yet. My buddy says if you open the top and bottom vents all the way the temp will soar very fast.
It says right in the book to only use lump. Mostly all I use is Royal Oak lump anyway.

As for indirect cooking, the plate setter from a Lg BGE fits and works perfectly, or so I have been told. A buddy say the grates and everything from a Lg BGE will fit the Keg. He has one and uses the plate setter and pizza stone in his.

I can't wait to start using it. Gonna be fun learning what it will and won't do.

[bowhnter]

That swing out top grate feature looks excellent!!

Is it sturdy enough to hold a butt or brisket out there?

[DATsBBQ]

I agree with EH, lump is the way to go. Too much ash with regular charcoal, even the competition grade stuff. Looks like the firebox grate is the cover to an 8" drain -something I've seen folks use with ceramics and a nice Bubba touch. You out to name it Myron

[limey]

I gotta agree about finding a good nickname for your Bubba Keg. I am really impressed with it, great design and features. I'm a liitle jealous.

[Southern Pride BBQ]

What do one of those things cost ?

[OSD]

What do one of those things cost ?

Around $600

[Kenny 13]

I've heard very good reports about the Bubba Kegs for both grilling and low & slow cooks. One word of caution on them: If what I'm told is correct, the exterior is powder coated. Since it is double-wall insulated, heat burning the powder coat off should not be a problem. However, if mishandled they can be dented and/or scratched which can lead to exterior rusting. You don't have the problem of possibly breaking them like you do with the ceramics, but you do still need to take care of them. I saw one up close at one of my local Home Depot stores that had a dent and scratch that had rusted right below the handle. No doubt the result of mishandling during assembly or storage by the HD employees.

[SITNFAT]

my dad bought one of these a few months ago and he loves it it uses very little fuel and yeah use only lump. once the temp gets real high it takes it forever to cool back down so adjust the vents as the temp rises.

[NewBQ]

Seems a little small, can you put a brisket in there?

[DATsBBQ]

Seems a little small, can you put a brisket in there?

Jim says its the same size as BGE which is the same size as my ceramics and I've done 15# packers in them.