First Eggfest.First Everything.Now What???

Hi Kent, congrats on your first egg :)most start shutting eggs down at other fests around 3 so they can cool off. also most of the demo eggs are kind of shared for the day for cooking so plan something simple that you are comfortable doing and can learn how to use the egg. maybe someone will cook on it first and show you the ropes and then help some if you need it. best of luck! you will love your new egg

What they said:

Cook something you are comfortable with and hand out samples
Don't plan on cooking the whole time so you can sample, meet other folks, visit, etc.

Not sure of the headroom in the Mazda - you may need to take the dome off. Depending on your help at home to take the egg out, you may wan to lighten the load by removing the fire ring and fire box. I would bring some large pieces of cardboard to lay down in the back of the Mazda to protect the carpet, and between the egg and the sides so the egg doesn't rub against the inside of the car. Some bungie cords to tie it back to something would be handy so it doesn't shift around. Alternatively, there have been folks that simply put the egg in a seat and strapped with a seat belt. "Big Green Egg ridin shotgun"

You will get to smell burnt lump all the way home - not a bad thing

Enjoy the fest and good luck with the egg.

Here is a list of items that I found helpful when I did my first fest (beside the standard items):
Food grade disposable gloves (Wallyworld/Sams/Costco)
Roll of paper towels
1 gallon jug of water(drinking and cleaning)
Wet Ones
set of cheap knives (that way when one doesn't come home no big loss)
folding chair
Buy a plastic bin and keep all your fest cook items there If you forget something there will be other eggers that will share.
My first cook if forgot to pack a lighter and folding chair (I was offered both)
Most important keep your cooks simple, which will give to time mingle pass your samples out and eat others food. Everyone there is willing to teach you all they know.
My first fest I did sausage casserole(modified from the Bisquick box), a pork loin, and a dessert.

Good luck and have fun

Frank makes a good point...be prepared to remove the fire box, ring, maybe even the dome / bands.

You probably don't need to do this to fit it in your car, but it will make it easier to unload when you get home.

Maybe Gary (Cannughead) can send you (by e-mail) the pics I mentioned above. I'm pretty sure we dismantled everything before we loaded the car.

Cheers!

Michael

Kent - I cooked at the eggfest last year on the large demo I have at home now. I did have a mini that I bought in the summer.

I practiced the recipes I wanted to try on my gasser - last time it was fired up actually - now it holds the parts for my egg.

I'll be back in Burlington at the end of the month - if you want to try anything out on my egg to practice let me know.

Kent

Another fellow Canuck joins the cult ... welcome. It may be tough waiting a month to pick up your new toy. You are surrounded by fellow eggheads so don't hesitate to ask questions. Have a great time at Nieggrafest.

Tom