Caveman_Nick Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 This is one of the best threads I've ever started. So where do I get the best deal on the d@mn thing? Just a suggestion... Before you buy an Egg, take a look at the Primo and at the Kamado. Both are similar products with slightly different features. The Primo has a different shape and maybe a more friendly design because of the shape of the cooking service. The Kamado is designed by the guy that designed the Egg for BGE originally, and has some nice features, although it's maybe more expensive. IIRC you can only get the Kamado Cooker through the manufacturer and it has to be shipped to you. The Primo is more widely available. Full Disclosure: I have a BGE, and if I were to do it again I would probably buy one of the other two products I mentioned. That said, I have had one major problem with my BGE, and customer srevice took care of me no questions asked and in a snap. I have nothing bad to say about them or their product. Kamado is a very small company. When you talk to them you are talking to either the guy that makes them or his daughter. I am not sure how good their CS is, but they are very nice people on the phone. I don't know much about Primo the company, I am just a fan od the oval shape, especially for doing things like roasting/smoking big birds or pig parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montster Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 This is one of the best threads I've ever started. So where do I get the best deal on the d@mn thing? There were only a few dealers in my area. Check their Web sites -- the one I bought from had a special advertised there. I believe biggreenegg.com lists dealers. Don't go to a chain like Barbecues Galore. They're a ripoff. Seems like the hardest part is actually buying one. You pretty much have to go local because the damned things are so heavy and they're very protective about their dealerships. There was really not much of a "shop around" option for us because there were so few dealers. Mind you, my wife got mine for me as a gift, so she pretty much handled all of that. I can't say enough about how amazing it is and, oddly enough, the fact that you use so little charcoal is among the most amazing things. When you're done, shut 'er down and the fire just goes out, right away, leaving you with enough coals to grill again. So, the cool thing about that is that you just don't need to worry about how much to put in. Just put plenty in there and know that, if you put too much in, you'll just have it for next time. I've only begun to scratch the surface in terms of my Eggolution. It's not really grilling season and I've been working a lot of late, so we haven't done much on it. But I can't wait for spring when I can really get going. I expect to grill 3-4 nights a week at that point. For the Super Bowl I smoked nearly 20 pounds of pork shoulder for close to 18 hours at about 220 degrees. I filled it to the top of the fire ring with coal -- probably about 6 inches deep. At the end of the smoke, there was still about two-thirds of the coal left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukon Cornelius Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 GOD DAMMIT i need to get one of those things..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMD Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 Have to mention how freakishly the BGE can hit a temperature and just hold it for hours and hours. No matter the temperature outside too since I have used mine even in freezing weather. Mine hits 225 where I want it like there was a magnet or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby's Hubby Posted May 29, 2011 Share Posted May 29, 2011 Just a suggestion... Before you buy an Egg, take a look at the Primo and at the Kamado. Both are similar products with slightly different features. The Primo has a different shape and maybe a more friendly design because of the shape of the cooking service. The Kamado is designed by the guy that designed the Egg for BGE originally, and has some nice features, although it's maybe more expensive. IIRC you can only get the Kamado Cooker through the manufacturer and it has to be shipped to you. The Primo is more widely available. Full Disclosure: I have a BGE, and if I were to do it again I would probably buy one of the other two products I mentioned. That said, I have had one major problem with my BGE, and customer srevice took care of me no questions asked and in a snap. I have nothing bad to say about them or their product. Kamado is a very small company. When you talk to them you are talking to either the guy that makes them or his daughter. I am not sure how good their CS is, but they are very nice people on the phone. I don't know much about Primo the company, I am just a fan od the oval shape, especially for doing things like roasting/smoking big birds or pig parts. My neighbor just got a BGE so i have finally got to see one in action. Then I went to Lowes for some sprinkler stuff and walked by a BGE knock-off and it looked the same with all the same controls in the same places, the vent in the bottom and the lid. It was listed at $699 and was the same size as the large egg. I cannot remember the brand name. I figured it was only a matter of time before Lowe's got something like the BGE. Of course, Lowe's has turned into WalMart in that everything is cheap and cheaply made, but ceramic is ceramic and controls are controls. Is the knock off cheaper than the large BGE? What can go wrong with these things? It is Sunday and the local BGE dealer is closed. I figured there would be someone using a BGE today so feel free to chime in with any tips on buying one of these and what accessories one should start with. We do ribs and skirt steaks vertically plus chickens whole halved and parts (legs and wings). Please advise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted May 29, 2011 Share Posted May 29, 2011 You've heard the Emerald song call to you and you ask me to convince you to sing? The Egg, among other things, embodies all that is honest and pure. Look into yourself--really look. Honestly look. You have one foot upon The Path and one foot remains in the monochromatic world of mundane grills and boring food. You say openly and honestly that you never use gas. You wish the coals to be hot all day. You have never smoked meat. And you are a "weber guy." Why then do you ask about The Egg? This is the time for honesty. As a "weber guy," you know that something is missing. You know that in a very real and literal way, you hunger for more--more flavor, more ease, more love. The Egg has always been waiting for you but up until now, you did not seek it out because you were not ready. And now, well now you hear the song. I once smoked a large pork butt for 26 hours continuously. Not once did I need to add charcoal to The Egg. Not once. Perhaps you would like to sear a steak? The Egg will rise to 800 degrees so that you may do so. Before I heard the Emerald song, I had only ever owned a gas grill. I say this to you openly--and honestly. I had never smoked any meat. And I was empty inside. I have a reputation for frugality. The "cost" of The Egg brought fear. How can this admittedly beautiful piece of ceramic cost so much? Could I find the true worth? And honestly, my only true regret was that it took me so long to place my second foot upon The Path. What is the price of true happiness? What is it 'worth' to you? That is the question you must answer for yourself. As for me, I regularly smoke all kinds of meat. I grill regularly. I have done pizzas, desserts, seafood, and vegetables on The Egg. I regularly roast the the Thanksgiving turkey on The Egg. I have maintained temperatures of 200-210 degrees for hours upon hours upon hours. My son won first prize for his 5th grade science project with The Egg when he burned various woods and predicted how fast the wood would burn based on wood density. The Egg is all this and more. You must ask yourself why there is such a devoted and loving following of The Egg. Why do individuals who will not benefit in any financial way praise The Egg to others so strongly? Why do so many make the pilgrimage to Atlanta in October for Eggfest? And most importantly, you must ask yourself are you ready to take that next step onto The Path. Whatever decision you make, The Egg will be there--enveloped in Emerald smoky love--waiting for you. Is our resident psychologist a writing genius or what? Post of the year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montster Posted May 29, 2011 Share Posted May 29, 2011 My neighbor just got a BGE so i have finally got to see one in action. Then I went to Lowes for some sprinkler stuff and walked by a BGE knock-off and it looked the same with all the same controls in the same places, the vent in the bottom and the lid. It was listed at $699 and was the same size as the large egg. I cannot remember the brand name. I figured it was only a matter of time before Lowe's got something like the BGE. Of course, Lowe's has turned into WalMart in that everything is cheap and cheaply made, but ceramic is ceramic and controls are controls. Is the knock off cheaper than the large BGE? What can go wrong with these things? It is Sunday and the local BGE dealer is closed. I figured there would be someone using a BGE today so feel free to chime in with any tips on buying one of these and what accessories one should start with. We do ribs and skirt steaks vertically plus chickens whole halved and parts (legs and wings). Please advise. I paid about $800 for a large BGE, but got some accessories thrown in, so the cost was probably about the same. The individual dealers may work with you to give you a deal. I don't know what brand Lowes is selling -- couldn't find it on its Web site -- but I've noticed that the local Barbecues Galore chain is selling its own version now. I would say the advantage of a BGE is that it's been around a couple decades so it's not too hard to find the proper accessories. I'm not saying the same's not true of the others, just giving my experience with the BGE. I started with the grate grabber, the plate setter and the ash tool. I also have a rib rack and this cone-like thing for doing beer-can chicken. If you want one, check Craigslist, sometimes dealers offer specials there. The large has worked well for me. In warm weather, I use it 3-4 times a week. Honestly, it's one of the best things I've ever bought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMD Posted May 29, 2011 Share Posted May 29, 2011 I paid about $800 for a large BGE, but got some accessories thrown in, so the cost was probably about the same. The individual dealers may work with you to give you a deal. I don't know what brand Lowes is selling -- couldn't find it on its Web site -- but I've noticed that the local Barbecues Galore chain is selling its own version now. I would say the advantage of a BGE is that it's been around a couple decades so it's not too hard to find the proper accessories. I'm not saying the same's not true of the others, just giving my experience with the BGE. I started with the grate grabber, the plate setter and the ash tool. I also have a rib rack and this cone-like thing for doing beer-can chicken. If you want one, check Craigslist, sometimes dealers offer specials there. The large has worked well for me. In warm weather, I use it 3-4 times a week. Honestly, it's one of the best things I've ever bought. Agreed. I also have the pizza stone. But the plate setter (to make it indirect heat) is the primary "accessory". Rib racks are nice and the BGE does wonderful things to baby back ribs. I also have a thick pair of leather gloves I sometimes use around it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebellab Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 So, I went down to fill up the propane tank and had a good hard look at a BGE. Hank Hill sells BGE's in my town. I can get a large BGE with ash tool, grate grabber, bag of chunk coal, for $775. There may have been another little accessory or two, and this also does not include the nest. I would build or buy a table. Now the X-large was $965, it seems like a no brainer to buy the XL. It is a lot heavier and I may want to move someday. What do the egg heads have to say. Also does anyone use one of these things in zero type weather. I know DMD said freezing weather, but he lives in Texas and that would equate to 50 degrees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoopazz Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 Pretty sure Unta said that thing sucks in cold weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt770 Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 I've decided to buy one of these, talked to the wife about it and she's on board. We grill a lot, and I've enjoyed a lot of my brother in-law's briskits and such that he cooks on his barrel smoker whenever he throws a party. I want to get into slow-cooking meats, especially ribs, shoulder and whole chickens. We would use it for Thanksgiving turkey. This thread convinced me it's worth the cost and we'll use it a lot. Unta's post in particular is one of the most beautiful things I've ever read. We're moving to Atlanta soon and Eggfest is in October I believe. I read that they offer discounted Eggs that have only been used that day, for demos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montster Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 So, I went down to fill up the propane tank and had a good hard look at a BGE. Hank Hill sells BGE's in my town. I can get a large BGE with ash tool, grate grabber, bag of chunk coal, for $775. There may have been another little accessory or two, and this also does not include the nest. I would build or buy a table. Now the X-large was $965, it seems like a no brainer to buy the XL. It is a lot heavier and I may want to move someday. What do the egg heads have to say. Also does anyone use one of these things in zero type weather. I know DMD said freezing weather, but he lives in Texas and that would equate to 50 degrees. That's a good deal. It's about what I paid for my large BGE two years ago, although I believe they threw in the nest with mine. I have been happy with the large BGE. I've fed up to about 20 people with mine, and for the most part I'm cooking only for 4-6 people, so the large has been fine. Last year I built a table for mine from plans I got off one of the BGE Web sites. Took me a couple weeks, and at the time I'd never built anything before. I live in California, so the coldest it gets here is the 40s, but I don't see why you couldn't use it in zero-type weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montster Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 We're moving to Atlanta soon and Eggfest is in October I believe. I read that they offer discounted Eggs that have only been used that day, for demos. The local Eggfest does this. The dealer that sponsors the event provides the Eggs for free, and sells them at a discount. It's a good deal -- someone else builds it and "breaks it in," you just pick it up. You have to reserve them pretty early, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
untateve Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 Pretty sure Unta said that thing sucks in cold weather. unta has never said that. There are Eggheads all over the country who use The Egg in all kinds of weather. It's heavy ceramic and holds its heat beautifully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt770 Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 Last year I built a table for mine from plans I got off one of the BGE Web sites. Really interested in doing this too. Good to know plans exist online, I was thinking I might have to wing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montster Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 Really interested in doing this too. Good to know plans exist online, I was thinking I might have to wing it. This is the one I built: http://www.nakedwhiz.com/tableplans/tableplans.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chester Posted June 28, 2011 Author Share Posted June 28, 2011 Since I started this thread, I'll update. I decided that since I can't afford one right now I'd save up for it. I'm putting away $20 a week into my BGE envelope to get one for next summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt770 Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 This is the one I built: http://www.nakedwhiz.com/tableplans/tableplans.htm That is a nice table. I've built one thing in my life, a workbench that was considerably less complicated than this. My wife will be extremely impressed if I can pull this off without wasting so much wood that it would have been cheaper just to buy the table, and/or seriously injuring myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loaf Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 www.bonappetit.com/go/biggreenegg offering up to win a BGE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montster Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 That is a nice table. I've built one thing in my life, a workbench that was considerably less complicated than this. My wife will be extremely impressed if I can pull this off without wasting so much wood that it would have been cheaper just to buy the table, and/or seriously injuring myself. I had no experience building anything. I ended up using a circular saw and saber saw to make the cuts, so it's not exactly the quality you'd get if you bought one, but it came out much better than I thought it would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimC Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 I had no experience building anything Did building that inspire you to build your dollhouse? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebellab Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 What size does everyone have. Large vs XLarge is the question I really want to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEC=UGA Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 What size does everyone have. Large vs XLarge is the question I really want to know. I'm above average, but I don't know if I'd call it "Large" or "XL", at least not compared to some that I've seen in the movies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt770 Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 I'm above average, but I don't know if I'd call it "Large" or "XL", at least not compared to some that I've seen in the movies. I was a large, but then I discovered these really amazing herbal supplements.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Dick Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 What size does everyone have. Large vs XLarge is the question I really want to know. Medium. But I make it up with enthusiasm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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