Big Green Egg

[Atlanta Cracker]

After much debate and deliberation and a trip to the local BBQ speacialty store I've decided that my next grill is going to be an Egg!! Why not get the top of the line charcoal grill instead of a half-rearend propane one?

 

 

Anyway, I still have a few things to figure out. I can get the large BGE for $599 but I don't think that includes everything I need. Looks like the "nest" is another $100 and side shelves, starters, etc are sold seperately.

 

What must I have to get started in addition to the egg and what can(and should) I add on later?

 

Also, I have a young son. I the thing hot on the outside or run the risk of him tipping it over and frying himself? Any tips there?

 

Thanks All! And thanks to Unateve for opening my mind to that possibility even though I wasn't leaning that way.

[untateve]

After much debate and deliberation and a trip to the local BBQ speacialty store I've decided that my next grill is going to be an Egg!!  Why not get the top of the line charcoal grill instead of a half-rearend propane one?

Anyway, I still have a few things to figure out.  I can get the large BGE for $599 but I don't think that includes everything I need.  Looks like the "nest" is another $100 and side shelves, starters, etc are sold seperately.

 

What must I have to get started in addition to the egg and what can(and should) I add on later? 

 

Also, I have a young son.  I the thing hot on the outside or run the risk of him tipping it over and frying himself?  Any tips there?

 

Thanks All!  And thanks to Unateve for opening my mind to that possibility even though I wasn't leaning that way.

 

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First of all, it gets pretty warm, but not super hot, on the outside. Your son shouldn't get a burn unless he leaves his hand on it. He's not going to tip it over in the nest. A nest is a must have, unless you're going to spring for the table. You can get the plans to build a table yourself from the Egg website (http://www.biggreenegg.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=59&Itemid=75 ). I'm not handy. After a year, I bought the table.

 

 

So far as what you'll need to start:

 

A plate setter (you use this for indirect cooking)

A grill extender

Lump charcoal (kingsford crap is a thing of the past) The lump cost more, but because it's real charcoal, you'll be able to reuse it.

Ash Rake

Grill Gripper

Wood for smoking (I use barbecuewood.com)

If yours is not coming with the Dual Function metal top--you must have this

 

(I'm assuming your Egg is coming with the basics: http://www.biggreenegg.net/index.php?optio...id=11&Itemid=33 )

 

The shelves are nice but not necessary. I never had them. I used a table near the Egg until I bought the BGE Table.

 

Don't buy: the BGE cookbook (you can't all the recipes you need off the website.)

 

You can go to a home depot and buy a chimney starter. I've found this the easiest way to start the flame.

 

Here's the link to the products: http://www.biggreenegg.net/index.php?optio...pshop&Itemid=64

 

 

This is the BGE home page:

http://www.biggreenegg.net/index.php?optio...ntpage&Itemid=1

 

I recommend becoming friends with the dealer. I did and he lets me know when special products and things of interest are arriving. I hope this helps. Anymore questions, let me know.

 

Welcome to the cult.

[Chief Dick]

Hey unta:

 

Did you hurt yourself falling out of your chair with glee when reading this thread title?

 

[untateve]

Hey unta:

 

Did you hurt yourself falling out of your chair with glee when reading this thread title?

 

 

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It always brings me joy welcoming one into the fold.

[TDFFFreak]

I think we need a picture of you at your wedding with the BGE standing next to you at the altar.

Edited May 15, 2006 by TDFFFreak

[Atlanta Cracker]

First of all, it gets pretty warm, but not super hot, on the outside.  Your son shouldn't get a burn unless he leaves his hand on it.  He's not going to tip it over in the nest.  A nest is a must have, unless you're going to spring for the table.  You can get the plans to build a table yourself from the Egg website (http://www.biggreenegg.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=59&Itemid=75 ).  I'm not handy.  After a year, I bought the table.

So far as what you'll need to start:

 

A plate setter (you use this for indirect cooking)

A grill extender

Lump charcoal (kingsford crap is a thing of the past)  The lump cost more, but because it's real charcoal, you'll be able to reuse it. 

Ash Rake

Grill Gripper

Wood for smoking (I use barbecuewood.com)

If yours is not coming with the Dual Function metal top--you must have this

 

(I'm assuming your Egg is coming with the basics:  http://www.biggreenegg.net/index.php?optio...id=11&Itemid=33 )

 

The shelves are nice but not necessary.  I never had them.  I used a table near the Egg until I bought the BGE Table.

 

Don't buy:  the BGE cookbook (you can't all the recipes you need off the website.)

 

You can go to a home depot and buy a chimney starter.  I've found this the easiest way to start the flame. 

 

Here's the link to the products:  http://www.biggreenegg.net/index.php?optio...pshop&Itemid=64

This is the BGE home page: 

http://www.biggreenegg.net/index.php?optio...ntpage&Itemid=1

 

I recommend becoming friends with the dealer.  I did and he lets me know when special products and things of interest are arriving.  I hope this helps.  Anymore questions, let me know.

 

Welcome to the cult.

 

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Thanks for the tips! A couple of follow ups-

 

Starting the Charcoal -

- Does the chimney starter hold a full load of charcoal or do you do a couple of batches? Or do you just get one started and then build on top of it inside the egg?

 

- I see there is an electric starter. Ever tried one of them?

 

- To reuse the charcoal you just take it out of the egg and restart it the next time you're cooking?

 

Table/Stand -

- I may opt to build a table. Would I be able to use the egg without a stand until I get the table done?

 

Thanks again!

[untateve]

Thanks for the tips! A couple of follow ups-

 

Starting the Charcoal -

- Does the chimney starter hold a full load of charcoal or do you do a couple of batches?  Or do you just get one started and then build on top of it inside the egg?  I usually have charcoal in the Egg.  I get some charcoal out of the bag and fill up the chimney starter.  Once the chimney starter is an inferno (around 10 minutes, I simply turn it over and dump it out on the charcoal in the Egg.

 

- I see there is an electric starter.  Ever tried one of them?  I have one and it works well.  My problem is that it stays hot for awhile and then there's the risk to young children or pets.

 

- To reuse the charcoal you just take it out of the egg and restart it the next time you're cooking?  There is a vent at the bottom of the Egg and you'll get a ceramic cap for the top of the Egg.  When you are done cooking, you close the vent on the bottom and put the cap on the top.  This cuts off the oxygen, fire goes out, and charcoal is ready for next time.

 

Table/Stand -

- I may opt to build a table.  Would I be able to use the egg without a stand until I get the table done?  I wouldn't use the Egg without the stand.  A little too unstable for my liking.

 

Thanks again! 

 

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[loaf]

ahh the Egg. If only I had a house...

[Yukon Cornelius]

green eggs suck

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

only cause i dont have one

[Clubfoothead]

Seems spendy.

 

I've got a friend in the real world that has one now. They work great.

 

Seems spendy.

[untateve]

Seems spendy. 

 

 

Seems spendy.

 

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There are few times in an individual's life where they drop some serious coin on something and are satisfied with it. There are even fewer times when one drops this same coin on something and their expectations are so far exceeded. The Big Green Egg falls into the latter category.

[Clubfoothead]

There are few times in an individual's life where they drop some serious coin on something and are satisfied with it.  There are even fewer times when one drops this same coin on something and their expectations are so far exceeded.  The Big Green Egg falls into the latter category.

 

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Unfortunately the wife will require and HDTV first.

[untateve]

Unfortunately the wife will require and HDTV first.

 

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Because of my frugality, I rarely buy anything for myself. When it became clear I wanted the Egg, my wife strongly encouraged me to get it.

[TDFFFreak]

I just like the useage of the word "spendy" in this thread. I'm going to have to find ways to use that in my every day vocabulary. I saw the BGE at BBQs Galore for $599 base. I assume that's the going rate?

Edited May 16, 2006 by TDFFFreak

[untateve]

I just like the useage of the word "spendy" in this thread.  I'm going to have to fond ways to use that in my every day vocabulary.  I saw the BGE at BBQs Galore for $599 base.  I assume that's the going rate?

 

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I spent around $800 when all was said and done. A year later, I paid a few more hundred for the table.

[Clubfoothead]

Because of my frugality, I rarely buy anything for myself.  When it became clear I wanted the Egg, my wife strongly encouraged me to get it.

 

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I usually have a negative balance in my checking account when my wife encourages that.

 

Believe me, if I had the $$ I'd get one.