Medium vs large...retirement gift

DIAD

my Dad retired from work and we want to give him a BGE.  It's just him and my Mom.  Any opinion of med vs large?  He has a giant gasser that he currently uses 4-5 times per week.
i think that he would smoke briskets, butts and ribs with it.  I honestly don't know if he would do steaks, chops or burgers with it because of the gasser.  Who knows though.  
What do you guys think of a med vs large?

thanks,

HopFather28

Does he cook for guests? Or his kids who generously bought the greatest cooker ever? If so I'd recommend a large. But that's just me.

SmokeyPitt

If he is a fan of brisket then that is an argument for a large if he wants to do a whole packer.  It is a tight fit sometimes on the large with a packer.  I can't imagine how I could fit it on anything smaller. 

DoubleEgger

As much as I like the medium, I'd say go with a large since briskets and ribs are part of the equation. 

Botch

Also, does he enjoy extra toys like most of us?  Lots of cool accessories made for the Large that aren't available for the Medium.  

Hotch

Go with a large.

Jeepster47

I'll throw in with the large crowd.  Accessories are in abundance and the cooking space is great cooking for two. @anton does some great rib and brisket cooks on his medium, but has to do a little MacGgyver type stuff to keep the protein on the grid. If your dad's retired, then a few extra minutes to come up to temp should not be a problem. 

egger ave

I have a large, minimax and mini and cook for 2 90% of the time. The minimax has become my frequently used grill. Cooking for 4 on it is not a problem either. Uses less lump and takes up a lot less room. The large gets used for briskets and turkeys these days.

lousubcap

@Diad - first up congrats to your dad for making a major life change.  And full props to you for suggesting such a great gift.  That said, I will also buy into the LBGE for all the above statements.  Go forth, do well and my best to your dad for figuring out that it is time to enjoy all he has worked for.

Gamecockeggman

Large all the way.  And you are a great kid btw.

Sammi

For just the two of us the small egg is my usual goto. More than capable for the majority of cooks. If i have more mouths to feed I'm fortunate to have a large and mini to put into service.

Handcyclist

Large!  My husband is retired, there are just the two of us.  Started out with a medium and immediately wished the first purchase had been a large.  The large gives you more flexibility with meat cooks, additional sides, desserts, etc.  

Eggscuses

I think you should buy him both. This way you won't have to decide

bhedges1987

I bought a medium first.... Couldn't do whole briskets or racks of ribs without cutting them... They're great for burgers and steaks ect.

If he EVER wants to do brisket or ribs without the hassle of cutting them.... LARGE 

Theophan

I have a Medium and a Large, I love both, use the Medium more often than the large, but if I only had one Egg, it'd be a Large.  Add one more vote to for the Large.

DMW

If I had only one cooker, it would be an XL BGE.

anton

Jeepster47 said:

I'll throw in with the large crowd.  Accessories are in abundance and the cooking space is great cooking for two. @anton does some great rib and brisket cooks on his medium, but has to do a little MacGgyver type stuff to keep the protein on the grid. If your dad's retired, then a few extra minutes to come up to temp should not be a problem. 

Agreed, I inherited my medium, I would have bought a large given the chance.  Go large!

maximus1

Large, you can always make it smaller, you cannot make the medium bigger

DMW

maximus1 said:

Large, you can always make it smaller, you cannot make the medium bigger

One of the first lessons I learned way back when I was pulling cables. You can always trim a cable, can't stretch it.

bboulier

I have a medium Egg and a KJ Classic, which is equivalent to a large.  The medium is fuel efficient, and I use it a lot, but the "large" is more flexible. Recommend the large.

northGAcock

As a medium owner...(only a few years younger than your folks not that that matters)....it is a great alignment with my MM. You really can't go wrong with a Lg or Med.

XC242

Almost 4 years ago I retired and gifted myself a large. Never even considered anything smaller. There were 3 of us but now our daughter has gone away to school. Buy him a large. I've got a gasser also. Have used it once in the past 2 years. Did I say to get him a large? Ya, get him a large...

tgs2401

Botch said:

Also, does he enjoy extra toys like most of us?  Lots of cool accessories made for the Large that aren't available for the Medium.  

I had a medium and really liked it but ended up selling it and getting a large so I had access to more accessories and cooking space.

THEBuckeye

Large

Period

RRP

Large - only problem I see in your expenditure is what you said "He has a giant gasser that he currently uses 4-5 times per week". How do you plan to wean him away from his gasser? Having an egg and using it are two different things for someone so accustomed to having that "kitchen stove sitting outside".

Jupiter Jim

DMW said:

maximus1 said:

Large, you can always make it smaller, you cannot make the medium bigger

One of the first lessons I learned way back when I was pulling cables. You can always trim a cable, can't stretch it.

DMW you don't have a cable stretcher? Mine is always broken and in the repair shop with the sky hook!!!!!!