A ramble about "insulation".....
The insulation aspect of ceramic - or any insulation - is an advantage when cooking. ( Not for cold smoking so much tho
) Some manufacturers of pellets grills have either actively recognized this and built at least an insulated hood via 2 layers of metal with an air gap between them, or others via specially made insulating blankets that you can add or remove if needed/desired.
Ask anyone that has run a pit with and without an insulating blanket. The usage drops significantly with the blanket on. Not in 1/2 - but 30-40%
I am sure it is a competitive issue...cost of feature vs retail sale price point. And - as other pits enter the market ( yes there are more on drawing boards as we speak
) I believe we will begin to see features that focus more on design tweaks that reduce cost of operation. And...what other forces will influence manufacturer's offerings to us...?
I had a conversation a couple of years ago with the manufacturing manager of a big name brand pellet grill - and asked why their pit used SO much fuel on the higher end of it's temp. settings. He laughed at me - and said - "Well, if a guy can't afford to burn some pellets - what is he doing BBQing?"
I have never forgotten those words - and clearly this fellow does NOT understand that we do not all live where we can get pellets cheaply. Even if one rationalizes that the cost of pellets is roughly that of charcoal ( cost divided by btu per hr. ) it is the lack of LOCAL pellet sourcing that keeps many folks away from pellet grill use.
So - insulation, and long term temp. stability/fuel consumption WILL become an issue for more than just "some" of us. There are some other considerations for all of us that love charcoal. I believe that the charcoal industry will be all but gone, done, kaput within 10 years. I have it on 1st hand information that Kingsford is trying to buy pellet manufacturing as we speak. They are preparing for a continuing escalation in regulations that push 'coal manufacturers harder and harder for cleaner air, run-off water, and soil standards. It is just a fact. Not a political statement.
So, sorry for the rambling segue - but the value of insulation and software control, pit design, burn efficiency WILL be a part of our futures. Will it affect you individually? Maybe not? But it will alter some of your choices - and maybe not in a negative way...only time will tell!