Which accessories should I get first?

enderw30

I'm about to purchase my first egg-the minimax since I'm in the Army and want something easy to move around (hopefully I can upgrade to a large later)-and was wondering what accessories I should get along with it to start. I've seen different things mentioned like a woo or a plate setter. Are both necessary? If not which one is recommended? Any other minimax accessories you would recommend? I will most likely also get the small v-rack for ribs and hopefully this years Thanksgiving turkey.

bgebrent

Thermapen.  Then learn how to use your cooker.  Thank you sincerely for your service.

theyolksonyou

Woo and stone from ceramic grill store. Skip the plate setter

bgebrent

theyolksonyou said:

Woo and stone from ceramic grill store. Skip the plate setter

Good advice from a novice!  Never trust his beer selections, they'll put you in the poor house.

enderw30

Good advice from a novice!  Never trust his beer selections, they'll put you in the poor house.

Duly noted. I just looked up the thermapen and will definitely add that on my list to get.

theyolksonyou

bgebrent said:

theyolksonyou said:

Woo and stone from ceramic grill store. Skip the plate setter

Good advice from a novice!  Never trust his beer selections, they'll put you in the poor house.

But you'll enjoy the ride. 

bgebrent

theyolksonyou said:

bgebrent said:

theyolksonyou said:

Woo and stone from ceramic grill store. Skip the plate setter

Good advice from a novice!  Never trust his beer selections, they'll put you in the poor house.

But you'll enjoy the ride. 

Still waiting for you to buy me a beer

Hans61

I agree with @theyolksonyou on skip plate setter, if bge were smart they'd buyout the ceramic grill store and make the adjustable rig or woo standard in all eggs to compete with Kamado joes divide and conquer and primos cooking system - bge has the $ to do it and with all the chatter from this forum buying those products you'd think they'd do something even if just to have them rebrand a new cooking system like they had  RO rebrand lump or dizzy pig rebrand their rubs

SoCalTim

If your just getting started, the only real accessories you'll need are a good set of welding gloves and a temp thermometer as they don't come with the initial egg purchase. 

bgebrent

SoCalTim said:

If your just getting started, the only real accessories you'll need are a good set of welding gloves and a temp thermometer as they don't come with the initial egg purchase. 

Thermapen brother, worth every penny.

Stormbringer

Great timing, I was about to ask this as well.

What does the woo ring and ceramic stone do better than the platesetter (we already have the PS, it came with the MM)? I ask because we don't get CGS gear sold retail in the UK (although I have been corresponding with Terri about international shipping). However with a trip to the other side of the pond planned, I have the option to bring some CGS kit home for the MM (and also the LBGE). Suitcase space is limited though, and weight needs to be considered.

smokeyw

bgebrent said:

Thermapen.  Then learn how to use your cooker.  Thank you sincerely for your service.

I agree with this. However, I have to say I never thought of a Thermapen as a BGE accessory. It is really just a cooking tool for me. I had one long before I had my BGE. In fact I have 3 of them now.

Acn

smokeyw said:

bgebrent said:

Thermapen.  Then learn how to use your cooker.  Thank you sincerely for your service.

I agree with this. However, I have to say I never thought of a Thermapen as a BGE accessory. It is really just a cooking tool for me. I had one long before I had my BGE. In fact I have 3 of them now.

Yep.  Until I started seeing people post this I never would have considered recommending this - I've had an IR thermometer in every apartment and now house I've ever lived in.  

I sometimes wonder how much of the "BGE will produce better food than you've ever had in your life" actually comes from it being a charcoal Komodo and how much comes from getting a thermometer and learning how to cook food to the proper temp.

HondaHawk

Currently on vacation and have been nominated to manage the grill. Its a beat up charcoal grill that looks like a big ole gasser. Its labeled as "Backyard Classic Professional". I was a bit skeptical because I didn't have my "gizmos" as my MIL would put it. But doing so much cooking on the egg and understanding the vents/coals is the biggest factor. Not the accessories, however, accessories do make life a lot easier. 
Did chops for 11 of us and everyone was pleased with their chop. "Cooked to perfection" was said. 

lousubcap

Welcome aboard and enjoy the journey. Another vote for the thermapen for instant read and the above mentioned CGS woo and stone.  
BTW-Go Navy!

tarheelmatt

1 - Means to cook raised at the felt line.  I do this with fire bricks.  

2 - Means to cook on two tiers.  I do this with a Grill Dome extender.  

3 - A decent thermometer.  I have a Thermapen, but don't really need this.  I got by just as well with my previous $25 thermometer.  

4 - Nice pair of high heat gloves.  Click HERE for the ones I use.  I like the high cuff, especially if you plan to get a wok down the road.  

5 - A cheap pair of work gloves from Lowes.  This is to aid with picking up cold grates, messing with interori items in the Egg.  

6 - A weed torch to light.  Click HERE for the one I use.  Note, buy a manual striker.  The push button igniter will fail, quickly.  

All the above can be bought very inexpensively or taken to the extreme.  I don't go extreme.  

Just advise from a novice.  

Killit_and_Grillit

enderw30 said:

I'm about to purchase my first egg-the minimax since I'm in the Army and want something easy to move around (hopefully I can upgrade to a large later

Man my buddy and I were stationed at FT Carson together. He PCSd to VA and just bought a Large after we went through the same debate. I waited and got my large after I ETSd and got to a more permanent spot but we found a a guy that had one and PCSd and the movers broke the ceramic. They claimed it and got to replace it and sealed the crack so now he has 2 Eggs. 

If you are single and pack out in one vehicle and a  Uhaul I would say minimax all the way. If you are packing up 10k lbs of bicycles and powder room furniture then I say roll the dice. It's insured. 

GrillSgt

smokeyw said:

bgebrent said:

Thermapen.  Then learn how to use your cooker.  Thank you sincerely for your service.

I agree with this. However, I have to say I never thought of a Thermapen as a BGE accessory. It is really just a cooking tool for me. I had one long before I had my BGE. In fact I have 3 of them now.

Haha same here. I also bought one for each child's house so I would have it when I cook there.