What do you like LEAST about your egg?

TN_Egger · November 2012

In an effort to make something good, better and to address possible operator error, I ask the question. What bugs you about your egg? Surely there are aspects of the egg that frustrate or annoy you. For me it's start-up time. From the time I strike the match, to food on the grate, I'm looking at about 45 minutes. I'm using one fire starter in the middle of the lump, lid open and then waiting for a good, even glow before putting food on. Very likely operator error - input appreciated.

Also not crazy about the color. Or the shape. Or the fact that I have a medium and it's called "big". : )

But lovin' the food!

nolaegghead · November 2012

I'd like a built-in leaf blower to stoke the temp up from ambient to bronze-age in like, 5 minutes.

Also, maybe a laser somethinoranother that does somecoolstufforanother. ('cause lasers are just too cool)

Oh, and a decent gasket FIXED
A High-que fire grate NOT FIXED

And a beer tap/dispenser.

And like, a tether, like what's on your gas cap so you don't lose it, but on the ceramic cap so you don't knock it off and break it when you're drunk. (yeah, cool...yeah yeah)

nolaegghead · November 2012

Just messin with ya...it's almost perfect the way it is.

Hashmaker · November 2012

There isn't anything i dislike about my egg except for the fact i'm 5000 miles away from it and can't use it for another three weeks.
For high temp cooks, light your lump at 12, 4 and 8 o'clock and then spread it evenly around the clock. You'll get up to higher temps quicker. For low/slow cooks only light the center.
The color is not an issue for me and sorry but it's a "Big Green Egg" and you just happen to have a medium one.
:D

BYS1981 · November 2012

The original price tag is what I like least about the egg.

nolaegghead · November 2012

Hashmaker - you must be in low earth orbit - coooool! (or you're overseas) hang in there, buddy!

TN_Egger · November 2012

nolaegghead said:

Just messin with ya...it's almost perfect the way it is.

Agreed. Almost perfect...as in...even the hottest babe has a round-ish shaped head.

JayHawkEye · November 2012

I use a heat gun in three different places (roughly a minute a spot) to get the flames going, stir it all up and shut the lid. Start to desired temp in less than 10 minutes. (My heat gun is from an old shrink-wrap machine. It used to double as a sandwich toaster when I did the shrink-wrapping in my store's back room.)

vettman · November 2012

I think for the most part I don't have many hang-ups other than I do think the cost could come down some. I think they would sell more if lowered. I talk to folks that would love to have one but they just can't afford it. Mine was a gift from family. Love it!!

nolaegghead · November 2012

@hapster - dude. Join my world. I can't sleep at night 'cause of my heart-felt empathy of my single-egg-family---single-egg's feelings, being alone without a frie-eeend. I know, I feel the shame. REMEDY THE SITUATION - buy another. Oh the humanity! I sure will (get a baby brother for the only child).

gte1 · November 2012

Limited grill space

Village Idiot · November 2012

Ash removal. I tend to get ashes all over the place when removing them. I've thought about trying to make a chute so they can fall into a ash can without getting all over the floor.

SteveWPBFL · November 2012

You should do the good and the ugly with the bad:

The bad: Cost, weight and that they CAN crack!

The ugly: Can't (don't want to) eat out at as many places anymore!

The good: The food, the 'hobby', the social impact!

ahhhhy - ahhhhy - aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh !

I've found fire starters to be the slowest method to get the Egg going and only use them when I have all day and want to do a low and slow. For 'after work' fires I use the chimney or the alcohol method and have no trouble getting the Egg to 400F dome in 15-20 minutes as long as the lump can breathe.

noarmysargent · November 2012

BGE needs a better factory gasket.

Buckdodger · November 2012

Like VI said...ash removal, a little breeze and the stuff goes all over the deck.

Smokin_Trout · November 2012

I would like to see better lid control. I'm waiting for the day that someone tries to help me and slams the lid closed.

Millsy · November 2012

I wish it was portable ,just to scared to break it if I took it anywere :(

Griffin · November 2012

Gasket is the only gripe I have about it, and i could really care less. Not much left on my large, sure the mini's will go soon as well.

Toss the starter cube. Gotta be the slowest way to light it. Hell, paper towels rolled up and soaked in veggie oil are quicker. Get yourself a weed burner or map torch.

I have a mini and its called Big. They all are called Big Green Egg.

SmokinDAWG82 · November 2012

That I now spend several hours a day reading this forum

jfm0830 · November 2012

I'd say use more firestarters to suit your desired cooking temperature. I use 1 to 2 for low and slow, 2 to 3 for medium temperatures up about 400 and for anything above that I use 4 starters. I also close the lid sooner or later depending on the temperature I'm going to be shooting for. If It is a high-temperature cook I leave the lid open the entire time the firestarters are burning. For low and slow I'll close it up sooner. Also I don't put the daisywheel cap on until I've just about reached the temperature I'm shooting for. Many times for high-temperature cooks of 600 or 700 degrees I don't use the cap at all. I simply control the temperature with just the lower draft door. I find no matter what the temperature, I can get my Egg to the cooking temperature I want in 30 minutes or less. I don't consider that a long time. My gas grill took 15 to 20 minutes and my smoker 30 or 45 minutes depending on the weather. I look at it as part of the process and simply work it into my schedule. I usually have plenty of last-minute things to finish up while the Egg is getting to temperature.

The color doesn't bother me and it certainly isn't boring. And the shape is what gives the Egg some of it's great cooking properties so the shape comes as part of the package.

As for dislikes: I agree with the comments that the Egg should come with a High Que fire grate. I also think it's ridiculous to ship a grill that can go up to 700 degrees with a gasket that seems to be good for only half of that. Granted they've now supposedly fixed that, but only time will tell how their new high-temperature gaskets will hold up. I do somewhat miss rotisserie grilling, but I am able to do things in other ways on the Egg with equal or better results. I also don't like the fact that your first Egg is like a gateway drug leaving you wanting more and more.

Jim

SamFerrise · November 2012

Install a worthy gasket. My Egg was $800 + and it came with a $0.25 gasket. WTF?

michigan_jason · November 2012

SamFerrise said:

Install a worthy gasket. My Egg was $800 + and it came with a $0.25 gasket. WTF?

The new ones come with a nomex.

michigan_jason · November 2012

Ash removal as mentioned above.

Portability as mentioned above.

michigan_jason · November 2012

When I took the XL to tailgate for a lions game, the next day I had a bruise on my bicep that was from my elbow to my armpit. Nasty bruise, but it was worth it lol.

henapple · November 2012

@Smokin_Trout...there's a standing rule in the mancave, you touch the egg....you get pimp slapped.

The Cen-Tex Smoker · November 2012

Would like a little more room for large cooks and would like it to be a little more portable. Wouldnt trade it for anything though.

SmokeyPitt · November 2012

I love the egg, but there are definitely some areas for improvement.

1) The stock handles aren't great. They weather quickly and use cheap nuts/bolts that don't stay on.

2) I think it should come standard with an "adjustable rig" type setup for multiple levels of cooking, raised direct, indirect,etc. Perhaps this is asking too much...but after dropping a grand or so on an egg you shouldn't have to spend another 300 on accessories.

3) Method of attaching the dome sucks. They need to design something better than the bendy bolts. Like smokin trout said- the lid also slams shut.

4) High-q charcoal grate standard.

5) Better gasket (fixed?)

6) Better draft door.

TN_Egger · November 2012

henapple said:

@Smokin_Trout...there's a standing rule in the mancave, you touch the egg....you get pimp slapped.

To paraphrase a line from a great movie..."Touch my egg...I'll kill ya."

name that movie...

fishlessman · November 2012

lack of a beer opener

fishlessman · November 2012

you would think that a company that manufactures in mexico would be able to find a casting house to have made a green egged shaped bottle opener by now, i mean, who wouldnt want 1 or 3, or more
;)

travisstrick · November 2012

I hate that they are not two for one.

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What do you like LEAST about your egg?

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