after seeing the ones you guys use. Any size recommendations? I seldom cook big meals. A couple packages of ribs is the most that I'll ever cook at one time.

I have the "medium" sized egg...you will love it. Suggestions as to accessories: You will have to buy the thermometer...the stand is not necessary if you are handy with a hammer and nails...build your own stand. Make sure you buy Big Green Egg charcoal...it has worked better for me than any of the imposter charcoals.

The rib rack was nice to have as well.

You will love it!

Thanks for the tips. They go on sale this Thursday and I'm going to check them out.

Mickey,

I have a large and would not go smaller. I can do 3 racks of spare ribs, but it is crowded.

Keith

Mickey it's a good piece of equipment. I've done a small turkey in one a few years ago for Thanksgiving. Used some wine infused chips and everyone thought it was great. I really like the temperature control you can aceive with them.

Lookin at these recently online, but it's hard to find a price.

MColeman, what price do they want for a large?

I agree with eh76. I have a large and would not go smaller. Just my wife and I and there are times when the large is almost not large enough. However, I do not have the two-level grid he has in his picture. They burn so efficiently that other than a little more in initial cost, there is not really a good reason to go smaller than a large.

Gregdoo

www.ceramicgrillstore.com

Mickey,
I think BYC is an authority on those!

I'm a Weber guy, but after seeing several of the Eggs on charter boats in Orange Beach Alabama, I know they must do a good job, otherwise they wouldn't be there. See, they don't mess around in Alabama.
Now, I grill and BBQ year round in Wisconsin, and it gets colder than a witches titty here so I know what I'm doing, regulating the temp and all.
Still, I'd be interested in what the Egg can do. If anyone knows of a good Egg user forum, I'd sure appreciate it.

Excellent product. Get a large for your needs which will be about $725. Larges have to most accessories available and in many cases the best price due to volume & shipping advantages at the wholesale level. Also, use real lump hardwood charcoal....not the fake briquette stuff. Enjoy!

http://www.biggreenegg.com/forums.html

good places to buy an egg

http://www.eggheadforum.com/index.p...;Itemid=112&func=showcat&catid=1

They should give RickBin a call to fix the forum layout
Good info once I started parsing through it, though.

Thanks eh76!

Mickey, BGE charcoal is really Royal Oak charcoal packaged for BGE at almost double the price.

http://www.nakedwhiz.com/lumpdatabase/lumpbag5.htm

I've owned a large BGE since 2006 and it really has been a fantastic piece of hardware. You can slow and low cook briskets & ribs or nuke a steak. I would recommend getting a Thermopen instant read thermometer for checking meat temps (you can read about them on the BGE forum). You will love it if you get one.

The egg is certainly the epitome of out door cooking equipment. For me though, it just plain costs too damn much.

I turn out a pretty good plate of ribs on my old Brinkman charcoal grill, and cook most everything else on a gas grill.

Can't see tying that much money up in something I would not use all that often.

Yep, I stocked up on Royal Oak at Walmart -- $6.37 for 10 pounds versus about $25 for 20 pounds of the Big Green Egg brand. Some of the folks who frequent the BGE forums have done extensive testing and really like the Royal Oak. Other brands -- not so much.

I stocked up because Walmart is really into "seasonal stocking." I figure they might not have any here after July 4th.

They quoted me retail of $899 if I remember correctly. They go on sale Thursday so they'll probably be somewhere around $889 with my luck.

Who is putting the BGE on sale?
Is this a web site or o dealer local to you?
Thanks

Mickey,

We bought a large in Minneapolis a couple of months ago at a regular price of $799.95. Can't believe they should cost more in your neck of the woods.

By the way, I recommend the large if you are buying just one as most of us do. The real eggheads think that if you buy two, buy an extra large and a small for flexibility.

You'll be surprised at how relatively little charcoal you use on this as compared to other charcoal grills. And the lump charcoal makes an amazingly small amount of ash as compared to briquettes.

I cut down a couple of pecan trees (double first cousin to hickory) and several small oaks and use small pieces of that in with charcoal for cooking.

When my dad and I barbecued a lot on a large pit we always used hardwood and made our own coals. We had a fire going and just shoveled coals from the fire to put under the meat. My dad always did the meat for the Civitan Club events for many years.

I have a large cooker with a firebox on the end that allows me to cook with indirect heat. It's only been used once but it is pretty big.

I don't think BGE allows internet sales. This is a dealer in Troy, AL that will put them on sale Thursday and Friday. How much of a sale is still unknown.

Mick, just go up to home depot and buy a couple flower pots, a burner and a replacement grill for a webber.

http://eckiller.com/2010/07/little-blue-egg-flower-pot-grill.html

http://www.naffziger.net/blog/2008/07/05/the-alton-brown-flower-pot-smoker/



google "flowerpot grill"

you'll be amazed, or at least entertained.

I could be wrong about the $899 but it $8xx. I talked to another store in Prattville and he said the normal MSRP is $849 but he normally sells for 40 bucks under that. He's offering an additional 10% off until the fourth which means the large will be about $730. I'll probably go that route.

Thanks, guys.

Check out this link Mickey.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...66/Re_Holland_Grills_are_not#Post5364966

Mike

You're just trying to get back at me for the 'riding a chicken' post, aren't you? I'd rather go through an IRS audit while visiting my proctologist than try to round up all the bits and pieces and try to assemble all that.

At one time I would have taken a run at it but those days are long past. I'm into sitting in front of the big shop fan on the patio, drinking sweet iced tea and reading while the meat cooks. I'll gladly pay someone else to do the R&D, put it all together and all I have to do is enjoy it.

I hope you and yours have a safe and blessed Fourth of July, Dave.

I hear ya, and I agree.

Happy 4th to you and yours as well.

One of my son-in-laws is from Fergus Falls. Do you live near there? His name is Gary Nirschl. I always teased him that it should be spelled N-e-r-s-h-a-l-l. He's good people.

Never heard of a BGE until now, but $800 for a smoker? Really? not on my budget. I do like the idea of the flower pot smoker but being from Wally World you have to wonder if that's lead based enamel on the pots.

been there and know people from there. (attended a baptism for one of my nephews there) but I've got no real connection to the area.

Myself being from manufacturing and specifically the finishing side of manufacturing, this was my first thought as well. What are they cooking out of those pots and into the food?

Mickey, give Ronald a call at Southern Outdoors in Dothan at (334-793-4590). He stocks them. Tell him Capt. Ron sent you

I wonder if wally world would mind if someone used a lead test kit before they bought one?
If there is lead in the glaze and the glazed side of the cooking chamber is sealed from the inner chamber then would there be an issue?

Well I dunno but I don't care to experiment on myself or my family.

http://www.mysteriesofcanada.com/Nunavut/franklin_expedition.htm

Dont forget to look at the Kimado Joe. You may be able to get a better deal.

http://www.kamadojoe.com/

Chicken Chit!!! No guts no glory!!
Just kidding Dave.
In reality I won't buy an enameled cast iron dutch oven that is made in china for just that reason.I am saving my sheckles for a Le Crusset

I have my own design that gets me by for my grilling, smoking & outdoor cooking needs.

It aint no egg but it works ok.

this is what i use to smoke:


major issue i have is holding temps constant if the weather aint sunny and little wind.....ive got all of $50 invested in it but keep looking at the BGE so that i could run a smoker for more of the year....

I have seen your smoker/grill before.
The major draw back is the fact that YOU WON'T MAKE THEM ANYMORE!!!

With my best Fargo movie accent.

"I'm a bissy man dontcha know?"





Maybe someday with a little look at refining my design for user bennifit and for simplifying the assembly (It's labor intensive being all hand fit and fully welded)

I might jump back into it, someday.

Going price on a large BGE here in Wyoming is $999 set up. A small price to pay for living in paradise. They have a lifetime warranty on the egg itself and I can control the heat well enough even in winter to cook a pork butt for 8 hours. I consider it one of the better investments I have made....especially after listening to kamerad les on penny stocks

thats the part i keep coming back to......

You can run a BGE in any weather once you get the fire started. The large BGE weighs 140 pounds fully assembled.
That is a lot of thermal mass. Once up to temp, they hold it well, like a high quality wood stove as opposed to one made of sheet metal. Yes, they are spendy. But it's the same argument that rages eternally here about how much to spend on optics, or rifle, or? Each of us just makes our own decisions. I can't imagine that you would be disappointed if you bought one.

Mick,
You could say that I have a few to several of these. All makes and models. Some are even having babies.

First of all look at the Primo Grill and Big Green Egg. Both are Atlanta based and both are of the highest quality.

Secondly, get a large. You will not regret it.

Thirdly, try and locate an EggFest in your area. The event in Atlanta will likely have 200-300 once used BGE's for sale at around $699 complete. Do not buy over the Internet or the lifetime warranty is void.

http://www.biggreenegg.com/eggfests.html

A CF member on the food forum said he found a large BGE for $499 at http://escambiaelectric.com/ in Pensacola. I believe he lived in Bama. Go Gamecocks!

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...341963/Ceramic_grill_at_Sams#Post5341963



Bottom line for me. I don't use anything now but a ceramic cooker. No propane to be seen except for frying. Heck I hardly even use my indoor oven now. I take one most everywhere I go when cooking is required. I've been cooking and competing with these cookers for over 20 years and found all sorts of ways for a 10-fold payback. If you care to discuss just ping me and we can talk.

Thanks,

David

I noticed Lowe's is selling a Chinese knockoff. It does in fact have warnings about lead and cadmium in the finishes

After reading this string I'm thinking a trip to Oregon may be in order. We are going to Cave Junction to tour the caves with the Granddaughter. Might just go to Grants Pass, buy one and save the almost 10% California sales tax.

Sheridan, that's about what I have now but I bought it at Tractor Supply.

Truth be told, I'm buying a BGE while the dollar will still buy something of value. I have a gloomy outlook for the dollar and I'm going to invest in material things while I can. I have eternity taken care of but I fear times will get hard on earth before my departure. Besides, I love to cook and this will be a lot of fun.

gotcha.....like i said ive been looking at one so maybe i can smoke through most of the winter....good weather like we had Sunday when i smoked a prime rib and the above gives great results.....lil rain, to much wind, temp gets a lil to low and the above becomes way to difficult to hold a consistent temp....

rattler I can maintain temps in bad weather by using a guru for up to 24 hours. And still use less than a 20lb bag of charcoal. Even without the guru I can maintain temps until the charcoal runs out.

That's what the cooker does best for sure.

TRAEGER GRILLS!!

Mike

pellets are for rabbits....

Weber 721001 Smokey Mountain Cooker 18 1/2 Inch Smoker
Buy new: Was $349.00 - NOW... $275.88
FREE Shipping.

899.00 BGE!! �. Buy a Weber "WSM/silver bullet" u have 624.00 left over!!!! 24.00$ FOR A 3pak of spares from Sams club ......which = 600.00 Left over $$$ - FOR BEER, FISHING RODS,GOOD 22�S, MORE BEER, and u won�t be called a �egg head� lol.... http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/index.html

WELL that side by side can cook... if u like baby sittin the fire/moving meats around durning a long cook...did u ever run the "chimmey" pipe on the inside, down to grate level? thats the 1st mod to that there smoker...then the grate mod in the fire box.complete with a water heat sink..so as to not blast what evers cooking right inside the cooker ...

Don't forget to buy one of these to maintain temps in foul weather.

Mike

hummmm.. I have cooked down to "-35f" with no trouble...:) i'll see if i can fine my pic's !

No worries....just pull'in your chain. I know they're a good cooker, hell I saw a guy win the RCR BBQ cook off last fall using one in the butt division.

Mike

yep ive done that......like i said i found it at a garage sale for $50 and for that i got to find out if it was worth me investing in something better which im starting to figure i want to....

however i opened one hell of a can of worms after i bought the damn thing as i used my buddies as guinea pigs the first summer hadnt even planned on getting out of bed early enough to smoke a prime rib on Sunday but i got a call on Friday night asking if they dropped off the meat, if i would throw it in my smoker Sunday and meet up at a another friends house and they will do up the rest of the fixings.....

I'll keep using a briquette BBQ with adjustable briquette tray to control the heat, and use an aluminum roaster tray in the center to catch drippings/ keep flare ups to a minimum... or the 55 gallon drum / disc blade contraption for slow cooking tri tips and chicken using the rebar cross rods and hanging hooks. Not sure how, but it takes the same time to cook as a BBQ, and chicken is Juicier, Tri tip is more flavorful.


I made a 30 gallon for taking on vacations.


Allen

I have one of these on the deck at the cabin. It can cook a mean brisket that everyone loves. I fire it with black oak. Problem is it doesn't make much sense to crank it up unless you have a crowd.

The Wife got on the scent of the BGE and now is pushing me to buy one. I think it would work great for the two of us at home on the patio.

Any ideas as to a good BGE cookbook?

Yup---right here. From the eggxperts themselves!!

http://www.biggreenegg.com/recipes.html

http://www.eggheadforum.com/images/eggtoberfest2010v1.pdf


http://www.eggheadforum.com/index.php

Mickey,

Here is another option to look at.

http://www.cooking.com/products/shprodde.asp?SKU=277128

I have a couple, 1 Bubba Keg and 1 Big Steel Keg. Along with the Pitmaster IQ you can set the temp at 225 overnight with a brisket or open the vents wide for a high temp sear on steaks. Right now with the 20% discount and free shipping it is a big savings over the Big Green Egg.

You guys are killing me with these. I've been in the market for a while now and just can't make myself pull the trigger. I just keep coming back to these ceramic grills.

Pull!!

I got one for Christmas this year. Best Christmas gift ever! I can cook really hot to sear a steak or low enough to smoke fish. Temperature control is pretty easy. There is so much you can do with it. Lump charcoal is great. It seems to last forever.

PM me if you get one and I will send you a few tips.

Hi Mickey

The BGE has been the best purchase of things I didn't realize I needed until I read about them on the fire. Some of the others being copper bullets, .257 Roys, .257 Bobs, blue tape and many others deserving a thread of thier own.

I'll second byc's recomendation of finding an eggfest. Even if you don't buy a once or twice used egg for a substantial discount the organizers usually have all the eggcessaries and charcoal on sale. The one I went to in Sacramento had a cooking competion on the first day and they cooked for the attendees on the second day while giving instruction and cooking tips.

I've cooked and smoked on Weber charcoal grills for allmost 30 years and balked at buying a BGE because of the cost. But seeing the results on the cooking thread caused me to give it a serious look.

The BGE is one of the best purchases I've ever made. Even if you mess up a bit the food is still great. It's fun experimenting and making stuff you wouldn't expect from a bbq [pizza, coblers, pecan pie and paella].

Allthough there is a bit of a learning curve to them, I wouldn't want to bbq on anything else.

My next try will be paella on my BGE...any tips you might want to share?

+1 - didn't care for the downstroke of buying one but since then I've always told friends that every guy who enjoys grilling/good food should buy. One of they very best things I have ever purchased, period! Go for it.

I first saw the BGE in a hardware store in Dublin, GA while attending a benchrest match. This had to have been 10 years ago. I thought they were pretty expensive but consider they cost about the same as many Remington rifles and we don't give it a second thought about plunking down $800 for a rifle. I'm at the age where I'm enjoying cooking and eating more than I do shooting. I know that sounds strange but my eyesight prevents me from shooting well and who enjoys shooting poorly?

Is there an Eggfest In N. Cal. or So. Or. anytime soon? I'll be there with cash.

I just bought a large BGE for $671.49, no tax from Diamond Hardware in Grants Pass. The lady said there was one more in stock at that price. I've been calling around and that is by far the best price.

We will pick it up on 12 July.

Congrats Spano, you won't be sorry!

Mike

The Wife and I are already planning menus and drooling. I have good Humboldt County grass fed beef, Utah elk, and Humboldt bear in the freezer just waiting the call. Also the neighbor gave us a fresh caught salmon.