Big Green Egg (BGE)

[BwanaDik]

Anybody here have one? Good things about it? Bad things about it (other than the price)?

We went to the Home Show today and they are on sale at ACE Hardware for a couple of hundered off so we're finally thinking about it. And WOW, I've never seen so many grill farkles available!

Specific questions: Is the XL simply too big? Looks like the large is about the same size as my Weber (24") and I've rarely, if ever, been disappointed because I don't have enough room on the Weber. You can park a 24 lb. turkey in the XL and have plenty of room left over for corn and whatnot. Will this extra size be difficult to cook with if we're just cooking for two? Should we stick with the large?

Would you buy another (hopefully not required as it has a lifetime warrenty)? I'm not worried about the "is it worth the price" question, that's highly debateable. This is more along the lines of the technical aspects of the grill/smoker/baker/pizza oven (all options!)

 

[beemerdons]

Anybody here have one? Good things about it? Bad things about it (other than the price)?
We went to the Home Show today and they are on sale at ACE Hardware for a couple of hundered off so we're finally thinking about it. And WOW, I've never seen so many grill farkles available!

Specific questions: Is the XL simply too big? Looks like the large is about the same size as my Weber (24") and I've rarely, if ever, been disappointed because I don't have enough room on the Weber. You can park a 24 lb. turkey in the XL and have plenty of room left over for corn and whatnot. Will this extra size be difficult to cook with if we're just cooking for two? Should we stick with the large?

Would you buy another (hopefully not required as it has a lifetime warrenty)? I'm not worried about the "is it worth the price" question, that's highly debateable. This is more along the lines of the technical aspects of the grill/smoker/baker/pizza oven (all options!)

BwanaDik: Going to forward this to my Zonie Neighbor Tucson Joe, Jose is queer for his Big Green Egg! Muy Loco ******* has a BGE tat on his Butt!

 

[Joe]

I have 3 at our house and one at our place in NM. The XL was the first one we got. It is the easiest to control the heat. You will need the plate setter for sure and the ash tool. We also have a BBQ Guru. We use it for long cooks. We have a large and a small. They came out with another like a small I like better. We use ours 3 to 4 times a week. I would get one in a heart beat. I might be out of cell range as we are in Kentucky seeing friends. You can call me at 520-668-7560. Would love to talk about BGE's.

Joe

 

[BwanaDik]

Excellent! Thanks guys. I'll give you a bell tomorrow Joe!

 

[MrZappo]

My cousin has one and it kicks a$$. He gets all kinds of different woods to smoke with and food comes out just great.

If he is cooking, I am there.

I'd have one myself if not for the price and 2 kids in college.

Go for it, you won't be sorry.

 

[TomInPA]

I have a BSK Big Steel Keg which is the poor man's Komodo cooker version of the BGE. It is sized the same as the large and I even use the BGE plate-setter. It produces some pretty awesome smoked, grilled and Santa Maria style cooking. I have no doubt BGE is a better unit, but that price was never an option for me. You won't be disappointed.

I got to fondle an XXL BGE with the counter-balanced lid, and wow, you'd need a crane to move it.

 

[Uncle Hud]

Lost mine in the divorce and it was the single biggest loss. Vents above and below the firebox allow for good temperature control. Depth/height of the unit provides room for mesquite chips, water or other liquids for steam flavoring, and the BGE charcoal lasts longer than one time. (Shut all the vents and the fire goes out leaving unburnt charcoal for next time.)

Had a gizmo for baking potatoes and a different gizmo for steaming broccoli and carrots.

Get the stand and rollers. Shelf isn't necessary if you have a table nearby for gear and spreads and seasonings and stuff.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

I do not have one but my GoldWing riding cousin does and it is The Cat's ***. He loves it and so does everyone who eats off it.

I have a friend/coworker with one and he says that before he bought it he was worried about whether or not it was worth the price. Now he knows it is worth more.

I am jealous but not ready for this yet.

 

[bluesdog]

I splurged on the medium size one last year, and nearly herniated myself unloading it from the back of my cage. Sucker is seriously heavy.

It does an awesome smoked chicken, and I've done salmon, beef, and pulled pork as well. Get the plate setter, 'cause it's almost useless without.

 

[beemerdons]

https://eggheadforum.com I always thought mi Amigo Tucson Joe got kind of freaky-deaky regarding his Big Green Egg, now I know why! Because it's a fecking cult, JSNS!

 

[dudeckp]

My manager got one a few years back. He was already known for hosting the best BBQ int he NY tri-state area, he swears by it.

two co-workers have since purchased, both extremely satisfied.

Several of us drool over them, but aren't hard core enough BBQ'ers to make the leap (doesn't help that we pass the retailer in Stamford, CT on a fairly regular basis)

 

[Bounce]

I have a BSK Big Steel Keg which is the poor man's Komodo cooker version of the BGE. It is sized the same as the large and I even use the BGE plate-setter. It produces some pretty awesome smoked, grilled and Santa Maria style cooking. I have no doubt BGE is a better unit, but that price was never an option for me. You won't be disappointed.
I got to fondle an XXL BGE with the counter-balanced lid, and wow, you'd need a crane to move it.

The cost was what killed me. I went with a Char-Griller Akorn kamodo style cooker and really like it. I've eyed Kamodo Joes and BGE but the cost of admission is simply too high.

 

[BwanaDik]

Awesome answers, thanks guys! I guess we're off to the store shortly. I'll post up pics of my new baby whe I get it.

 

[ahchiu]

I have the Primo XL, looked at the BGE and I like the oval shape of the Primo, you won't be disappointed with the BGE. There are fourms on cooking on a Kamado cookers. Good luck

 

[HotRodZilla]

Hey Jeff, you're gonna keep that thing over here close to me right?? That way I can let you know if it passes the test. Haha...

 

[BwanaDik]

Hey Jeff, you're gonna keep that thing over here close to me right?? That way I can let you know if it passes the test. Haha...

LOL!! If it works as advertised I may have to get one for SF too!

 

[HotRodZilla]

Hey Jeff, you're gonna keep that thing over here close to me right?? That way I can let you know if it passes the test. Haha...

LOL!! If it works as advertised I may have to get one for SF too! :tonguesmiley:

Yesssssssssssssss!

 

[NightShine]

My family had one when I was a kid, and we enjoyed it for many years. My Dad brought it home from a voyage to the Far East in the early 1960's (he was a master mariner on a cargo ship). It was big, easily weighing upwards of 300 pounds. Its mass was one of the things that afforded excellent temperature control.

I remember him telling the story of how he had it delivered to the pier. And while Dad was wondering just how he'd get the heavy thing up the steep gangway, a small statured "coolie" lifted it up, hoisting it onto his back, and toddled it up the gangway, setting it on the deck as quick as you please! Dad was amazed with that feat, and over the years he related the event many times in my hearing.

I hadn't paid attention to these grill/ovens in many years, but also noticed them the other day at the local big box store. Amazing prices...

 

[LittleJon]

I've participated in a few competitions with home-made smokers. My team became friends with Smoke-King Railway, so named because they had about 8 BGE's hitched together, rail-car style. They swear by them. And I'm pretty sure they beat us in more than one category. I think they, as we have, backed off on competitions, which cost money in favor of catering, which makes money. I have never smoked with one. But I have been beaten by a team that did.