Big Green Egg

[ethiostar]

Does anyone here have one of these. The wife and I are seriously considering getting one, most likely the 2nd largest size. I have read a lot of great reviews about them and have talked with a handful of people who own one or two and they absolutely love them. You can grill, bake, or smoke using one of these bad boys. In fact, my wife has agreed that we won't have to get a double oven for the kitchen if we get one of these.

So, if you have or had used this product, please give me your honest opinion. I am very tempted but they are pricey. About a grand for the size we're looking at.

 

[ologan]

Go to http://eggheadforum.com/categories/all

Got mine about a month and a half ago, and now I wonder why I waited so long.
If you're getting the 2nd biggest (large), shop around. I got mine for around $650.
Add a nest or table, and a few accessories, and you could still be south of 1K.
If you're handy, you can look up Big Green Egg tables on the web and build your own.
You really don't need to buy all the extravagant gadgets offered by BGE, and can easily make do with things around your kitchen. The only thing you really need, for smoking, is a plate setter. Go thru the forum I gave you and you will get the idea.
you will love it!

 

[Rockport]

I've recently bought one, the large, and am doing my first brisket this weekend. So far, everything I've cooked has turned out great. I've had cheap smokers up until now and wanted to buy something this time that would last me a while. I did a lot of research on different smokers and always came back to the BGE because of it's versatility and outstanding reviews. I can light it and be ready to cook in 10 mins. A bag of lump charcoal lasts 3 times longer than with regular offset smokers or grills. You'll be happy with the purchase.

 

[Idgit]

Weird. I'm shopping for one right now, too. I've yet to find anybody who doesn't love theirs, fwiw.

 

[ethiostar]

Go to http://eggheadforum.com/categories/all

Got mine about a month and a half ago, and now I wonder why I waited so long.
If you're getting the 2nd biggest (large), shop around. I got mine for around $650.
Add a nest or table, and a few accessories, and you could still be south of 1K.
If you're handy, you can look up Big Green Egg tables on the web and build your own.
You really don't need to buy all the extravagant gadgets offered by BGE, and can easily make do with things around your kitchen. The only thing you really need, for smoking, is a plate setter. Go thru the forum I gave you and you will get the idea.
you will love it!

Thanks ologan! I've looked around quite a bit but haven't found a large for less than $850. I'll keep looking. As for accessories, I plan to build my own table and buy the plate setter.

 

[ethiostar]

I've recently bought one, the large, and am doing my first brisket this weekend. So far, everything I've cooked has turned out great. I've had cheap smokers up until now and wanted to buy something this time that would last me a while. I did a lot of research on different smokers and always came back to the BGE because of it's versatility and outstanding reviews. I can light it and be ready to cook in 10 mins. A bag of lump charcoal lasts 3 times longer than with regular offset smokers or grills. You'll be happy with the purchase.

Thanks man! If you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay for yours?

 

[ologan]

Ethio, if you dig into the forum I posted, you will most likely find thread(s) about where folks got theirs and some of the prices they paid. Our local hardware store, who isn't cheap, sells them for around $700 plus tax. Somewhere on that site is a list of dealers in your area. let your fingers do the walking.
There was a BGE sale going on just before I bought mine, where the large was going for just over $600!
They're made in Atlanta, and every year they have an "Eggfest", where they have about 50-60 cookers set up cooking all day. If you ever could go to it, don't eat at least two days before! They sell the eggs used in them at a discount after the one day's use, with full warranty. Caution though......If you don't buy from a recognized dealer, the warranty is not valid!!! If you buy it on the internet from a non recognized seller or dealer, no warranty!!

 

[ethiostar]

Weird. I'm shopping for one right now, too. I've yet to find anybody who doesn't love theirs, fwiw.

Same here. I haven't heard anybody anything negative other than the fact the plate setter is a little too fragile.

 

[ethiostar]

Ethio, if you dig into the forum I posted, you will most likely find thread(s) about where folks got theirs and some of the prices they paid. Our local hardware store, who isn't cheap, sells them for around $700 plus tax. Somewhere on that site is a list of dealers in your area. let your fingers do the walking.
There was a BGE sale going on just before I bought mine, where the large was going for just over $600!
They're made in Atlanta, and every year they have an "Eggfest", where they have about 50-60 cookers set up cooking all day. If you ever could go to it, don't eat at least two days before! They sell the eggs used in them at a discount after the one day's use, with full warranty. Caution though......If you don't buy from a recognized dealer, the warranty is not valid!!! If you buy it on the internet from a non recognized seller or dealer, no warranty!!

I will look more closely to the forum.

I've been to 2 local stores and they were going for about the same price, $850 for the large (authorized dealers). Just the basic stuff. The Egg, nest (metal), plate setter, and the tool for the ash.

 

[Rockport]

Thanks man! If you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay for yours?

I paid $850 for the large. Yea, it's not cheap. Only downside.

 

[ologan]

I paid $850 for the large. Yea, it's not cheap. Only downside.

Yeah, Amber...agree with you on that. But when I spend just south of $400 for a Brinkman (never again) that only lasts 4-5 years max, while the egg is reported to last at least twice that long, and won't rust out on you, I'm with you and am happy I did it........and I don't work for BGE! BTW, the steaks are delicious!!!

 

[DallasCowpoke]

Does anyone here have one of these. The wife and I are seriously considering getting one, most likely the 2nd largest size. I have read a lot of great reviews about them and have talked with a handful of people who own one or two and they absolutely love them. You can grill, bake, or smoke using one of these bad boys. In fact, my wife has agreed that we won't have to get a double oven for the kitchen if we get one of these.
So, if you have or had used this product, please give me your honest opinion. I am very tempted but they are pricey. About a grand for the size we're looking at.

1 suggestion, check your local Craigslist. I see them on there occasionally, not often but they do show-up. You'll find a bunch of accessories for those on there anytime.

Also, have you looked into the Kamado Grill/Smokers? Those are everything the BGE is and I believe, been around a good while longer? I think they're about 10-15% cheaper as well?

 

[ethiostar]

1 suggestion, check your local Craigslist. I see them on there occasionally, not often but they do show-up. You'll find a bunch of accessories for those on there anytime.

Also, have you looked into the Kamado Grill/Smokers? Those are everything the BGE is and I believe, been around a good while longer? I think they're about 10-15% cheaper as well?

Thanks Cowpoke, I will check Cragslist.

As for Kamado grills, I did ask around and the consensus seems to be that BGE is by far the better of the two. For a price difference of approximately only $100 on $850 investment, I would rather go with a better product.

 

[Idgit]

Thanks Cowpoke, I will check Cragslist.

As for Kamado grills, I did ask around and the consensus seems to be that BGE is by far the better of the two. For a price difference of approximately only $100 on $850 investment, I would rather go with a better product.

I've been watching CL for a while. I see a Medium come by every now and then, but I'm determined to get the large. I also worry that used egg might have cracks, and I don't know for sure if the manufacturer warranty covers that for a used purchase. For the minimal price differences I've seen, it CL wasn't worth it to me.

 

[ologan]

1 suggestion, check your local Craigslist. I see them on there occasionally, not often but they do show-up. You'll find a bunch of accessories for those on there anytime.

Also, have you looked into the Kamado Grill/Smokers? Those are everything the BGE is and I believe, been around a good while longer? I think they're about 10-15% cheaper as well?

The BGE is a Kamodo style cooker. There are those more expensive, and those cheaper than BGE, but check them all out before you buy. Check the thickness of the ceramic, for one thing.
Also, please keep in mind that if it's bought from an individual or a site like Craigslist or Ebay, the warranty is no good. Google Big Green Eggs limited lifetime warranty for more info.

Keep in mind also that BGE only uses lump charcoal, and do not recommend any of the various briquets due to their inclusion of possible petroleum products. Likewise, they tell you to never use lighter fluid to start the fire on your lump charcoal, as the petroleum burned in it can infuse in the ceramic, and you could taste it for awhile.
BTW, one load of lump (about 1/5 bag) has lasted for going on three cookings.

Let me know what you cook first!

(Ethio, where are you located?)

 

[ologan]

Ethiostar, take a look at one more site.
http://www.nakedwhiz.com/ceramic.htm

 

[ethiostar]

Ethiostar, take a look at one more site.
http://www.nakedwhiz.com/ceramic.htm

That is a very cook website. Thank you!

 

[theogt]

I paid $850 for the large. Yea, it's not cheap. Only downside.

I can't possibly imagine how one of these would be worth that much. But I don't smoke meat, I only grill. And a $40 grill with a bag of charcoal does just fine for that type of job. Smoking is a whole other animal, of course.

 

[Idgit]

I can't possibly imagine how one of these would be worth that much. But I don't smoke meat, I only grill. And a $40 grill with a bag of charcoal does just fine for that type of job. Smoking is a whole other animal, of course.

The food is amazing, but a big part of it for me is you have to really enjoy the whole process of a six hour smoke. It's more hobby than food preparation.

 

[jobberone]

Interesting. Does it do Chinese??