After a lot of comparison we went with a Bastard over other Kamado options.
Charcoal is the best.
I have long used a 22" Weber grill with lump charcoal, specifically Lazzari lump charcoal. This is literally not your father’s charcoal (which was Kingsford, of course). The best review of lump charcoal I have seen is at NakedWhiz which is still the best review site but unfortunately they quit updating it. The Weber can put a real sear on a steak (700ºF and higher, even at my 6000 foot elevation) and can do offset cooking for chicken and can do smoking (see Slow N’ Sear insert). And, yes, you want 700ºF and higher because high heat is necessary to sear a steak – see this link – or research which restaurants are using Salamander broilers which hit 900ºF+. I am currently on my 3rd weber grill; they last about a decade depending on rain exposure and if the bottom rusts out. I cook baby back ribs on the Weber using the Slow N’ Sear and I have two recipes for ribs: one recipe is 3 hours at 300ºF the other is 6-ish hours at 250ºF-ish. The Big Green Egg aficionado’s swear by oak (because that’s what Big Green Egg says is best and what BGE sells) but the important thing to note is it is oak lump charcoal – not the pre-formed briquets. Go that route: lump charcoal.
I also own a Mak pellet grill, which is a small manufacturer of pellet grills used by the guy who runs Amazing Ribs (see his Mak 2 review). However, the Mak does not achieve the same high temperature (for steaks) or smoke flavor (for ribs) as the Weber, even when using the broadly-acclaimed Lumber Jack pellets, even when I still had their 100% mesquite pellets. Unfortunately Lumber Jack no longer makes the 100% mesquite pellets, but only sells a mesquite blend. I only have a pellet grill to comply with summertime fire restrictions. It can get to 500ºF with some coaxing and is dependent on the pellets sometimes to 550ºF, but again I am at 6000 feet (less oxygen than sea level).
I don’t own a gas grill.
If $600 fits your budget and you want charcoal I don’t think you can beat the durability of the original Professional Kitchen (PK) grill. They are great for both direct and indirect cooking and virtually indestructible with the exception of new grates every 10 years or so. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a used one if you could find one. I wish I had taken my dads when he went to a retirement community.
Definitely in budget. Nd I see there’s a “new” version of it that is 3” taller and a bit cheaper. Trying to ascertain ease of ash removal - thoughts? Also where to buy.
I have been ruminating over a Hasty Bake legacy, which is more expensive but seems to offer what I want. Ideally I would find a DC area dealer that would deliver it ll set up (and take away my old one).
I see the new version, it also looks good and is a bit less expensive, I assume the black finish is durable. IIRC (50 years ago) my dad had a used Clorox plastic bottle that he cut at and angle and used the handle end as a scoop. You couldn’t scoop hot coals obviously, and not as elegant as what the newer Webbers have, but my experience is those eventually rust anyway.
As for where to buy, if you follow the link and hit the shop button and then about 5 items down there is a dealer locator. Ace hardware is one of the sources by me.
I have a classic weber that I use whenever I want charcoal and a Traeger for convenience or slower cooks.
I am just not interested in a weber, despite the high regard people have for them. I want a rectangular grill, I guess.
I started grilling on a round one when I was around 12 or so, hard for me to consider going to a rectangular charcoal grill. I’ve gotten so used to how to position coals for the correct type heat and matching it with steak thickness that it’s weird to think about changing. My Traeger is rectangular though and it makes a lot of stuff (like racks of ribs, chicken wings, etc.) so much easier to lay out.
Long time lurker here. I was going to mention the Hasty Bake as it has much the same functionality as your old one. I’ve had the Gourmet Pro 258 for the last couple of years and am very happy with how versatile it is. A learning curve to be sure for low and slow cooking but for grilling and being able to adjust the heat by raising and lowering the coal tray it works great and intuitive. Plenty of real estate for dual zone cooking too which I appreciate. Ours was delivered on a palette from the store in Tulsa because no dealers in the St Louis area. Hope that helps.
Jim
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Did i come assembled?
It comes mostly assembled. It arrives very well boxed and the whole grill was wrapped in plastic and protective insulation as I recall. It’s very heavy. I think the model we have weighs about 180 lbs. It’'s a two person job to get it unboxed and moved off of the palette but my wife and I were able to manage it. All of the individual pieces were plastic wrapped for protection as well. The assembly is mostly attaching the front and side handles, screwing in the coal tray handle and sliding in the coal tray and ash catcher. Hasty Bake has a number of videos and others are available on YouTube. Happy to try and answer any other questions.
Jim
Could you also supply the second person?
This has been part of my problem. I need to have it delivered and put into place (and have the old one removed). I am happy to pay for this service.
One of the grills I am interested in (either this one or the PK) i think has a retailer on the eastern shore (of Maryland). I should reach out.
Hah! I would help if I could. Looks like PK has dealers on the East Coast but I don’t think HB does. A local dealer would likely be the path of least resistance.
Jim
Because I am convinced that one more use of my grill will result in its total collapse, I booked someone to come today and haul it away. I bought a PK 360 from PK (sale price plus inclusion of cover and charcoal pan and free shipping). Now i just have to find someone handy to put it together for me! Cash or aged fine wine in payment!
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Congratulations I hope you’ll let us know how you like it once you get it assembled and fired up. I would offer to help you assemble it but I’m in south Florida. My guess is you could easily find someone on Next Door.
If you ever get adventurous and want to get into smoking, I saw where BBQ Guru has an adapter for the PK that would help maintain a steady cook temperature. That’s the brand I use on my Stumps smoker.
I would take that deal if you were in my area. Could bring a test steak too
I’ve used Task Rabbit in the early years, but not sure how the service is now.
Please come back and let us know what you think. I’ve been looking at a PK grill instead of just getting a new Weber.
I don’t need anything for slow cooking, I have a dedicated whole hog BBQ rig.
Nathan, there is a very good sale at PK right now. The top of the line model (the 360) is $100 off and they throw in the cover and a charcoal basket, which retail on the site for $130ish. Sale thru Memorial Day.
On some bbq website/reddit board, someone mentioned substituting another company’s charcoal basket to provide more grill space. But didn’t identify it. 
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