Primo Jack Daniel’s Edition Primo X-Large Oval 400 Ceramic Kamado Charcoal Grill / PGCXLHJ

1 review for Primo Jack Daniel’s Edition Primo X-Large Oval 400 Ceramic Kamado Charcoal Grill / PGCXLHJ

C. Mayfield
Rated 5 out of 5
I've owned a Primo Oval XL for about a year before it was lost in a terrible storm. I forgot to lock the wheels on my cart and the wind blew the thing right off the edge of my patio and that's all she wrote...So, being that I am a fan of Jack Daniels "Old No.7" whiskey, I decided to go with this model as a replacement.First things first. This is an investment for the serious backyard cook. It is made entirely of ceramic so it is very fragile and quite heavy. You must use lump charcoal and unless you enjoy the taste of lighter fluid, don't use it. The ceramic will absorb it and every meal after that will be "lighter-fluid" flavor. Don't just buy this thing and expect to just sit it on those little ceramic feet, spend the money and get a decent cart (don't forget to lock the wheels) and a nice cover for it when it's not in use.The size of this thing allows you to cook plenty of food and what I like about it the most is that you can very easily set it up for two sides for searing and cooking over in-direct heat...with some extra accessories that is. Inside the box it's almost "what you see is what you get" based on the photos. Based on my personal experience, I suggest getting reflector plates, drip-pan racks, extended cooking racks and an iron divider. I use the Primo XL for both grilling and smoking (you may want to invest in a temp. control unit if you like to smoke a lot of meat) and it cooks spectacular. You will definitely be the envy on your block.Some of the disappointing things about this unit are:- The handle and opening at the bottom feel a little cheap. I'm not so much bothered by the bottom door as much as I am by the handle. It is made of metal (and is a great conductor for heat) so when waiting for charcoal to light, it gets VERY HOT and if you're not prepared for it while closing the lid, you will get burned and probably let go of the handle and drop the lid (violently). Being that this unit is made of ceramic, you could possibly crack it rendering it useless.- The unit itself is a little "thin." I also own a large Green Egg and you can tell the difference in the construction. It may not be fair to compare the two being that one is round and the other is oval, but I wish that it were a little "thicker."-The Jack Daniels logo is merely just "screen printed" on the unit. It's not engraved or stamped or anything, making this "Special Edition" exactly like a Primo Oval XL in every way except for the logo (and price. it's about a $300 premium over the regular XL). I'm not sure how long it will last as I've only had this one for about 6 weeks.My final verdict is that I would definitely recommend this with caution. It is not like your regular metal grill or smoker. It requires a little extra work in getting it ready to cook on and if you're just a "casual" back yard cook who grills up hot-dogs, hamburgers, and the occasional chicken breast this may not be for you. Truth is, if you only use this to grill, then you're only using 1/3 of it's capability. But if you're an out-door cook who takes your cooking and eating seriously, you will not be disappointed with this purchase.I only recommend the regular Oval XL, unless your a huge fan of Jack.