Question on some good old burgers

jad · March 7

Am still learning to cook on the egg and this forum has been a big help and inspiration. I have only done two cooks on the egg, first were ribs... did not turn out very good was trying for falling off the bone and it did not happen:( they were tender but came out a little dry and the rub was overpowering. I will work on getting them right!
Then did a spatchcock turkey which turned out very good :)
My Daughter coming home from college for spring break and is asking for some burgers?
Any tips? do I do them with the egg open? would like to get some flavor from the lump but will it happen without closing the lid? just looking for a nice juicy burger

thanks

Hi54putty · March 7

Lid definitely closed. I cook them at about 400 raised direct. Only flip once. They will be very juicy.

Skiddymarker · March 7

Just my two cents worth, always cook with the lid closed and if you are looking for falling off the bone moist ribs (SWMBO will only eat them prepared that way) try the 3-2-1 method. Of course depends how big and how much meat is on the rib. Basically 250 indirect with rub and smoke for 3 hours, then foil, some old wine or juice to braise for 2 hours then one hour finished with sauce. sometimes this turns into a 2-1-1. I prefer turbo at 350 indirect, but they do not fall off the bone.

For burgers, many go raised direct with the lid closed, target temp 400-450.

I prefer to go indirect at <300 with a drip pan until internal is close to 130-140, then a direct reverse sear. Easier to control the cook and because I use 80/20 ground beef, some of the fat has dripped off before the sear and there is no acrid burned fat taste. The burgers also tend to keep their shape and retain a lot of juice.

SWVABeanCounter · March 7

Hi54putty said:

Lid definitely closed. I cook them at about 400 raised direct. Only flip once. They will be very juicy.

+1 And remember to cook to temp for rare med rare etc...

nolaegghead · March 7

Season the meat (mix it in) and form the patties delicately so there's air space inside to hold the juice. Makes a big difference..

jlsm · March 7

+1 on the delicate handling. I do them at 400 direct on a cast iron grate (makes a huge difference, in my book). I get my burger from a butcher who grounds his own, so I'm not overly concerned about contamination. On a mini, I cook one-inch burgers for three minutes on each side for medium rare/medium. I use black pepper only as a seasoning.

Believe it or not, the burger has been the hardest for me to master, but I think I have it down now, at least on the mini.

nolaegghead · March 7

Makin' a good burger ain't easy. Getting good meat is key. When I have the time, I try to grind my own. I like to eat them on the rare side of medium rare and I don't trust factory burger grinding operations.

fishlessman · March 7

you could play it safe and do unground burgers. 3/4 inch thick cut beef tenderloin seared and slipped into hamburger buns, they thin out as they cook and beat a burger anyday

Mickey · March 7

I only cook them one way now. I have the store grind (burger grind) X lbs of brisket. Take it home and mix in S&P and red onion. 400 direct (lid closed).

Andymizunogolfer · March 7

Dont be an idiot like me. I left the bottom draft open too long and got way to much flare up. Second time I hit them at 450 for about 2-3 mins a side turned out perfect. Thats with 80/20 beef.

johnkitchens · March 7

My burgers have never been better than they are now that I am cooking on my large BGE!

I cook mine direct, and I don't raise the rack. I like to cook mine at around 300 to 325. I use BGE lump and Jack Daniels Whiskey Barrel chips.

I put them on and flip them every two minutes are so and pull them BEFORE they get any char on them. I would describe them as medium to medium rare at the best.

Last week my SWMBO wanted me to cook them a little longer so I of course obeyed and they were not as good as normal.

You will just have to play with it and experiment until you get it like you like. That is the beauty of the Egg. You get to try and try until you perfect it!

Always cook with the lid closed are you are going to dry your meat out.

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