2016 Top 10 Luxury Grills And Smokers
Every year, when we released our Top Ten Best Value picks we included one "Money Is No Object" selection in each category. This effort to have some fun has always been met with a barrage of moans and groans that sound a little something like, "How do you morons possibly call a grill that costs more than my car a Best Value!!!!!?????"
So in 2015 we introduced The AmazingRibs.com Top 10 Luxury Grills And Smokers List where price is no object and value is in the eyes of the beholder.
Both the manufacturers and we understand these picks are not for everyone. Once grill and smoker prices go past a certain level the market shrinks dramatically and continues to drop off as price tags rise. Our Luxury list starts with Fast Eddy's by Cook Shack, a competition grade pellet smoker beautifully finished in shiny stainless steel at only $2,795, and peaks with The Barbecue Dining Boat, a modest grill planted in the middle of a large round boat with wrap around seating for only $50,000.
Luxury means something to those who can afford it. Luxe cookers are usually extremely well built, loaded with options, and very good looking. That said, we remain baffled by how many still use cheap temperature indicators rather than high quality thermometers. Forgive us if we once again wonder out loud: Why can't an outdoor oven be as easy to operate as an indoor oven? Where are the thermostatic controls?
The list includes a mix that run on a variety of fuels from gas to charcoal to wood pellets and logs. Styles range from the stunning beauty of Fire Magic's stainless steel Echelon E1060 to the heavy metal traditional Texas J-3 wood burner by Jambo Pits.
Eight of our Luxury Top 10s are Made in the USA, one in Germany and one in Indonesia.
How we made these luxurious selections
We rate and review as objectively as possible, measuring temperatures, slamming lids, turning dials, studying warranties, and kicking casters, but inevitably intangibles such as look and feel have to be considered. We consider them among the best of breed in the wide world of luxury priced cookers. They are listed in order of manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), but actual prices can differ particularly since many of these items are often highly customized. Please click the red links to read our complete detailed review and find links to suppliers, many of whom sell well below MSRP.
Fast Eddy's by Cook Shack PG1000 $2,795 – 2ndYear On Our List!
The Fast Eddy's by Cookshack PG1000 Pellet Smoker is a collaborative design from respected smoker manufacturer, Cookshack, and competition barbecue circuit pro, "Fast Eddy" Maurin. The FEC line, (Fast Eddy's by Cookshack) has been popular with competitive teams for years. While most FEC models have a utilitarian appearance, the beautifully crafted stainless steel PG1000 fits right in with your shiny outdoor kitchen.
Most pellet smokers are wood burning ovens, great for ribs, turkey, brisket and butts, not so great for grilling steaks and burgers. The PG1000 was one of the first pellet burners to offer a sear station, a cast iron cooking grate right over the firepot where the wood pellets burn. It isn't the best setup for searing, but it does OK in a pinch and you can definitely finish your smoked chicken and ribs on it to crisp and brown. The real beauty of Fast Eddy's design is it produces meat with a deep mahogany finish, much like a competition grade offset smoker. It also has two upper level heat zones for a total of four distinct temperature zones.
Thermostatically controlled pellet smokers are a joy to work with, just set the desired temp like you do on your kitchen oven then walk away. No muss, no fuss, no babysitting, and excellent results every time. Made in the USA. Click here to read our complete review of the Fast Eddy's by Cook Shack PG1000.
Engelbrecht Grills and Cookers 1000 Series Braten Grill $2,826 – 2nd Year On Our List!
The Braten 1000 has a cooking grate that can be raised or lowered by turning a wheel that is attached to an axle above the grill. The closer the food is to the coals, the faster it cooks. This design is commonly known as a Santa Maria Grill. But Englebrecht offers some innovations over the typical Santa Maria. The traditional models are open on top so the heat can be applied only to one side of the food at a time. The Braten has a heavy heat absorbing lid which allows you get high radiant heat from below, reflected heat from above, and convection heat from all around as the air circulates. The lid makes it an oven.
Another innovation is that the Braten comes with a firebox on the side to double as a classic offset smoker for long, low and slow cooks, like you want when cooking pork ribs, beef brisket, or pulled pork. Made in the USA, this heavy duty versatile cooker is expertly welded and built to last: a fine example of American know how and quality. In fact President Obama gave British Prime Minister, David Cameron, one of these beauties made in Obama's home state of Illinois. Click here to read our complete review of the Englebrecht 1000 Series Braten Grill.
Memphis Elite Pellet Smoker $4,899 – 2nd Year On Our List!
The Memphis Elite, launched in March 2012, is the largest cooker in their impressive line of luxury pellet smokers. Memphis Pellet Smokers are extremely well built and designed. The top grade 304 stainless is thick and extraordinarily well machined. Fit and finish are impeccable. We tested the Memphis Pro and Meathead proclaimed it, "one of the best cookers I've ever had the pleasure to use". They may be ordered as drop-ins for installation or on a cart. Our posted price includes the cart.
Memphis Elite is a good-looking, versatile, easy to use machine. The "Intelligent Temperature Control" digital control panel is a sophisticated, touchpad PID controller that holds set temps with more accuracy than most kitchen ovens. Simple to operate, it has an integrated meat probe and some useful programming options. For example you can set it to cook your brisket up to 200°F and then drop to a lower cooking temp to stay warm without overcooking. Made in the USA. Click here to read our complete review of the Memphis Elite Pellet Smoker.
Komodo Kamado Big Bad 32" $5,910 – 2nd Year On Our List!
It's Big. It's Bad. It's Beautiful! Komodo Kamado makes some of the most striking, high quality cookers we've seen. Stunning assortments of inlaid tile finishes are available from colorful to subdued, but KKs are not just another pretty face. Quality and attention to detail are evident in everything you see and touch from the 304 stainless steel grates and hinges to the heavy duty casters. And the casters have to be powerful to support this Bad Boy weighing in at almost half a ton.
It comes almost fully assembled, (see above). At 32 inches wide, this is the biggest Kamado on the market. Plenty of options are available from teakwood carts to gas ignition. Click here to read our complete review of the Komodo Kamado Big Bad 32.
Jambo Pits J-3 Model $7,500 – 2nd Year On Our List!
Your neighbors will be smitten with envy when this stunning professional offset smoker rolls into your drive way. Jambo Pits is the brainchild of award winning pitmaster Jamie Geer. On the competition circuit, Geer is famous for superior design, performance and beautiful fit and finish. With colorful enamel paint jobs, and characteristic streamlined trailers, Jambo's large custom pits resemble race cars.
Geer's insightful designs, based on experience from his championship days, have led numerous teams to victory across the country. It takes dedication to make an offset sing, but with a little effort, you'll be running with the Big Dogs of BBQ. Made in the USA. Click here to read our complete review of the Jambo Pits J-3 Model.
Rockwell by Caliber $9,500
Beautifully crafted from aviation grade aluminum, stainless steel and Brazilian Cherry Wood, Rockwell is powered by Caliber's signature 20,000 BTU Crossflame burners. There's a social element to all BBQ, but Rockwell goes a step further with a roll top lid that can disappear completely, allowing grillers and guests 360 degree access to the cook surface and generous surrounding table space. Flip open a conventional grill and the lid will direct heat and smoke outward, while the wide open Rockwell lets heat rise up and away from bystanders. It blends the attributes of a luxury gas grill and kitchen island creating an enticing environment for everyone to gather around and enjoy food, drink and conversation. Made in the USA. Click here to read our complete review of the Rockwell by Caliber.
Fire Magic Echelon E1060 Gas Grill $14,000 – 2ndYear On Our List!
Fire Magic grills exude elegance and quality. Excellent in design and construction, beautiful to behold and priced accordingly. These are among the finest grills made. Echelon Diamond Series is Fire Magic's top of the line. All are made with high quality 304 stainless steel burners, cooking grates and housings that carry a lifetime warranty.
The E1060 is the largest Echelon. Four heavy cast stainless steel main burners with a total output of 115,000BTU provide ample fire power. It has a built-in digital thermometer and meat probe, 12" deep firebox (mighty nice for rotisserie) and double wall spring assisted hoods.
For outdoor kitchen installations, anything in the vast Fire Magic catalog may be incorporated. Some options are a motorized hood, solar panels and a remote receiver to monitor cooking temp and internal meat temp. Made in the USA. Click here to read our complete review of the Fire Magic Echelon E1060 Gas Grill.
Kalamazoo K-750 Hybrid Fire Grill $20,695 – 2ndYear On Our List!
Kalamazoo occupies a rarefied space in the BBQ cosmos. Part Rolls Royce, part tank, with fire power and versatility to spare, Kalamazoo grills are imposing in appearance, performance and price.
In addition to being handmade with impeccable fit and finish, and over-built from head to toe with high quality 304 stainless steel, Kalamazoo is known for superb features like their 25,000 BTU cast brass burners, waterproof cabinets and internal chain-driven rotisseries. But as award winning Chef Rick Bayless observes, the feature that really puts Kalamazoo over the top is their Hybrid Fire Grilling Drawer: A bed of slotted heat tents that slides between the main burners and grates. Empty, the tents radiate and disperse gas heat evenly to the grates. Loaded with charcoal or wood, they provide the best of both worlds with an extended temperature range of 150 to 1,200°F. Made in the USA. Click here to read our complete review of the Kalamazoo K750 Hybrid Fire Grill.
GrillWorks The Infierno $25,000 – 2ndYear On Our List!
Grillworks offers several production models, but all grills, production or custom, are made to order. They don't stock inventory. "People who are likely to be our customers have unique design ideas in their heads", says owner, Ben Eisendrath, "They're not interested in a big stainless steel box with a bunch of modular cabinets". Case in point: The Infierno, which represents a collaboration between award winning chef, Dan Barber of Blue Hill at Stone Barns Restaurant in New York, and Grillworks.
Barber's model has independent left and right grills and a wood burning fire cage at the center. Commonly called Santa Maria Grills, the grates can be raised or lowered, away from or closer to the red hot embers beneath. The central, wood burning fire cage produces a constant supply of burning fuel. One issue: Most have no covers, so they are really meant to be direct heat grills.
Our posted MSRP is for the original Infierno at Blue Hill, but prices are all over the place with these immense, highly customized cookers. Awareness of The Infierno is spreading in elite circles and top chefs are letting their imaginations go wild with a wide array of functional and cosmetic features. Made in the USA. Click here to read our complete review of the Grillworks The Infierno.
The Barbecue Dining Boat $50,000 – 2ndYear On Our List!
The Barbecue Dining Boat from Germany is a floating party that seats up to ten passengers around a charcoal kettle grill in the middle. An OUTDOORCHEF Easy 570 charcoal kettle is at the heart of this vessel. It may be switched for a gas model of the same size. OUTDOORCHEF is a Swiss company with some interesting designs. Some think of them as the European Weber.
Powered by a 30 watt electric trolling motor, it goes 2.5 MPH in calm water and can withstand small waves up to 1 foot 8 inches high. It's constructed of stainless steel and ABS PMMA plastic with a UV resistant polyethylene hull. If you've already dined on shore, swap out the grill with a large ice tray for your favorite beverages and GO MAN GO! Click here to read our complete review of the Barbecue Dining Boat.
Please read this before posting a comment or question
2) Please tell us everything we need to know to answer your question such as the type of cooker and thermometer you are using. Dial thermometers are often off by as much as 50°F so if you are not using a good digital thermometer we probably can't help you. Please read this article about thermometers.
3) If you post a photo, wait a minute for a thumbnail to appear. It will happen even if you don't see it happen.
4) Click here to learn more about our comment system and our privacy promise. Remember, your login info for comments is probably different from your Pitmaster Club login info if you are a member.
Moderators:
Return to top