Big Green Egg

DZ

Urban Achiever
Forum Member
Oct 22, 2009
11,819
119
63
310/917
Seriously though guys, thanks for the detailed responses. I really appreciate the help. :0008
So, I guess it's not that hard to clean because that is one of my biggest questions. That little hatch in the bottom to scrape out all the ash and other gunk doesn't seem all that accessible to the bottom part of the Egg. I will definitely heed the thermometer advice, but what do you need more than one for? Can't you just stick it in one steak, take the temp, then stick it in another? As far as size goes, the medium Egg is only 3.5" smaller in diameter. That comes out to about $100/inch when comparing it to the large. I get that I'll have this thing forever, but for the foreseeable future, at least, I'm only cooking for myself and sometimes one two other people. I think I need to see a medium size in person so I can gauge for myself whether it fits my needs. Ideally I'd get the XL, but that's crazy-talk at this point. I'm gonna keep shopping around, try Lowes, Costco etc and see where I can find the best deal. I saw a place online that sells the large for $850, but they don't ship. In fact, you can't buy them online, only from authorized retailers and all their sites say you have to call the store for pricing. Anyway, that makes it a bit harder to shop around, but I did find this price list from a google search: http://www.thevalleyfarmhouse.com/BigGreenEggCustomerPriceList.pdf

Thanks again for the help and all the great answers. Lookin' forward to joining the club. :toast:
 

The Joker

Registered
Forum Member
Aug 3, 2008
28,116
360
83
47
Tennessee
www.madjacksports.com
Seriously though guys, thanks for the detailed responses. I really appreciate the help. :0008
So, I guess it's not that hard to clean because that is one of my biggest questions. That little hatch in the bottom to scrape out all the ash and other gunk doesn't seem all that accessible to the bottom part of the Egg. I will definitely heed the thermometer advice, but what do you need more than one for? Can't you just stick it in one steak, take the temp, then stick it in another? As far as size goes, the medium Egg is only 3.5" smaller in diameter. That comes out to about $100/inch when comparing it to the large. I get that I'll have this thing forever, but for the foreseeable future, at least, I'm only cooking for myself and sometimes one two other people. I think I need to see a medium size in person so I can gauge for myself whether it fits my needs. Ideally I'd get the XL, but that's crazy-talk at this point. I'm gonna keep shopping around, try Lowes, Costco etc and see where I can find the best deal. I saw a place online that sells the large for $850, but they don't ship. In fact, you can't buy them online, only from authorized retailers and all their sites say you have to call the store for pricing. Anyway, that makes it a bit harder to shop around, but I did find this price list from a google search: http://www.thevalleyfarmhouse.com/BigGreenEggCustomerPriceList.pdf

Thanks again for the help and all the great answers. Lookin' forward to joining the club. :toast:


If you get the egg, I will make a video on how to clean it.:0074

It's easy.
 

PocketAces

Registered
Forum Member
Jul 30, 2003
6,053
113
63
50
WI
I love my smoker with side fire box but every time you guys talk about your eggs you make me want one.

They just seem too easy. I like going out and tending the fire. But the BGE would be perfect for smoking during WI winters.
 

dawgball

Registered User
Forum Member
Feb 12, 2000
10,652
39
48
50
I received one as a gift. I probably would have never paid for one BEFORE I had one full time. I had cooked on them (or been around them at cookouts) before.

Now that I have one, I have kicked everything else to the curb.

I only have the plate setter as an accessory. And I do have the large one sitting in the rolling nest. I wheel it in/out of the garage. No cover.

Jack/Joker - how does the electric starter save you money?

Also, don't skimp on your charcoal! It makes a huge difference.

Here's a test of many of the ones on the market.
http://www.nakedwhiz.com/lumprankdata.htm?name

I don't think the charcoal scraper is necessary.
 

BOHICA

Turgid Member
Forum Member
Apr 6, 2001
280
6
0
dawgball, the electric starter works very well. Much easier than the starter blocks. I don't know about a money saver.
Deezy, I have the rolling nests and the grill mates. No cover, just roll it out of the garage. Works good for me. I'm usually cooking for 3 and the large works well.
 

MadJack

Administrator
Staff member
Forum Admin
Super Moderators
Channel Owner
Jul 13, 1999
105,567
1,863
113
70
home
It saves money because you don't have to buy the fire starter that doesn't get the fire going half the time.

Man, I hated using that stuff.

I stick that electric thing in there, plug it in, come back in 10 minutes and I have a blaze.

How do you get the ashes out without that scrapper? I guess you found something to take it's place.

Or you go down and get the grate out. I had to buy a new grate last year, my old one burned up and cracked.

images


Had to get a new plate setter too. I used to pick it up and out of the fire and take it over and drop it on the lawn. The last time I did that it shattered. those things aren't cheap either.

Big%20Green%20Egg%20Plate%20Setter.jpg
 

MadJack

Administrator
Staff member
Forum Admin
Super Moderators
Channel Owner
Jul 13, 1999
105,567
1,863
113
70
home
I received one as a gift. I probably would have never paid for one BEFORE I had one full time. I had cooked on them (or been around them at cookouts) before.

Now that I have one, I have kicked everything else to the curb.

I only have the plate setter as an accessory. And I do have the large one sitting in the rolling nest. I wheel it in/out of the garage. No cover.

Jack/Joker - how does the electric starter save you money?

Also, don't skimp on your charcoal! It makes a huge difference.

Here's a test of many of the ones on the market.
http://www.nakedwhiz.com/lumprankdata.htm?name

I don't think the charcoal scraper is necessary.

What coal do you use and where do you get it? I have been using the Cowboy Lump from Lowes.
 

dawgball

Registered User
Forum Member
Feb 12, 2000
10,652
39
48
50
How do you get the ashes out without that scrapper? I guess you found something to take it's place.

I use a 12" hooked flat pry bar. Works well.

076174555158lg.jpg


I'll look into the fire starter. The time savings will be worth it, I think.
 

dawgball

Registered User
Forum Member
Feb 12, 2000
10,652
39
48
50
What coal do you use and where do you get it? I have been using the Cowboy Lump from Lowes.

Currently, using the Cowboy from Lowes as well.

I had one before that it literally would not push the temperature beyond 450. It sucked!
 

MadJack

Administrator
Staff member
Forum Admin
Super Moderators
Channel Owner
Jul 13, 1999
105,567
1,863
113
70
home
Currently, using the Cowboy from Lowes as well.

I had one before that it literally would not push the temperature beyond 450. It sucked!

Yeah, I was having problems getting the temps up for a long time and couldn't figure it out. I guess it was the stuff I was buying from Sam's Club. I never thought about it being the coal until your post.
 

BOHICA

Turgid Member
Forum Member
Apr 6, 2001
280
6
0
What coal do you use and where do you get it? I have been using the Cowboy Lump from Lowes.

Jack, if you can locate Grove Charcoal in your area, I would recommend giving it a try. It lights easy, burns hot enough to peg the thermometer on my egg, and doesn't seem to leave a lot of ash.
 

MadJack

Administrator
Staff member
Forum Admin
Super Moderators
Channel Owner
Jul 13, 1999
105,567
1,863
113
70
home
Jack, if you can locate Grove Charcoal in your area, I would recommend giving it a try. It lights easy, burns hot enough to peg the thermometer on my egg, and doesn't seem to leave a lot of ash.

Can't find it around here.

I just ordered one of these grates for my egg. The eggheads on their forum rave about it and the ease of getting the high temps more consistently.

http://www.high-que.com/Stainless-Charcoal-Grate-Upgrade-Large/dp/B004XU1FES

Also read another method for searing steaks that I am going to try this coming week.

Let the coal get that full red burn going on and just throw your steaks right on the coals for 60 seconds each side.

Or you can get a smaller cast iron grate to lay directly on the coals and put the steaks on that if you're afraid of coal getting on the steaks. Plus you get the grate marks thata way too :0008
 

MadJack

Administrator
Staff member
Forum Admin
Super Moderators
Channel Owner
Jul 13, 1999
105,567
1,863
113
70
home
AND, just found out that the grate I replaced was under warranty. I didn't have to buy one. :0003
 

MadJack

Administrator
Staff member
Forum Admin
Super Moderators
Channel Owner
Jul 13, 1999
105,567
1,863
113
70
home
I was using a cast iron skillet on the grill to sear the steaks. Works good too but mine is small and can only sear one at a time.
 
Bet on MyBookie
Top