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There are a lot to choose from in the world of ceramic Smokers, cookers, grills, etc.
I am in Victoria, BC (an island off the west coast of Canada) and we don't see the 'passionate' (see fanatical) BBQ dialog such as I've read in BBQ forum posts over the past month or so. I am in the market to get a nice unit, be it ceramic or otherwise. And I will likely be one of very few people to have even seen one of these units.
I have only just learned about ceramic smokers and have found only 3 manufacturers that are local enough to bother learning about. The problem I am most concerned about isn't so much the price as the quality and the warranty support that I expect for that price.
If something breaks or is defective I am hoping that the seller will be able to accommodate any warranty issues as shipping for parts will be prohibitive due to their weight and my proximity from the manufacturers.
The types I have seen are Primo and Kamado Joe. I know that there is a Big green Egg dealer a few hundred miles away but they have not responded to my email inquiries.
My questions:
1: Are the ceramics a good bang for the buck or are they an interesting and unique conversation starter that are comparable to water smokers (Weber. etc)?
2: I understand that the internal ceramics crack and even break up after usage. Is this common? Will it need to be remedied immediately or can the units operate like that?
3: I live in a wet geographic area. It rains here a lot. will that have an adverse effect on the ceramic unit? (ie: will mould/mildew be an issue? Do they absorb moisture from the air and crack once heated?, etc.)
4: Is one ceramic as good as another? They all seem to have very similar parts and quality seem comparable. Is there anything I should stay away from, and why?
Thanks for any and all assistance you can offer!!