platesetter vs spider and stone

apinion · February 2015

What's the general thought on using the platesetter vs having an AR and spider and using a small diameter stone on the spider?

I only think I have ever used my PS twice or so and mainly go the way of the stone and the spider.

Successes and failures?

stemc33 · February 2015

I only know PS. Really don't know what's best.

Photo Egg · February 2015

I really like the AR, Spider and stone. I bet I use the stone on the lowest rack of the AR more than I do stone on the Spider. This way I can lift out the entire set up by pulling out the AR. The only time I use the platesetter is for dutch oven/bread or as additional spacer for pizza.

jfm0830 · February 2015

I agree totally with Photo_Egg. The ability to quickly remove the AR, food and all, is huge. You can lift it off and land it in a safe place and get your lid closed quickly. I actually had two plate setters that I bought for my first two LBGE's. I now have a third LBGE and have picked up two ARs. I do have a spider which I use for wok cooking and paellas. I don't use the spider for indirect, I use the oval pizza stones for my AR's. Now that I have two AR's, I never use the plate setters unless I have a third indirect cook I need to do at the same time.

Over the last year plus I have owned the AR, I have written several blog entries on my website about my initial impressions and what I've learned over time. Hopefully they will be of help to others so here are the links:

THE ADJUSTABLE RIG - FIRST IMPRESSIONS 2014 Blog Entry about the Adjustable Rig, a combination of my unboxing type impressions and my early experiences.

GETTING TO KNOW THE ADJUSTABLE RIG 2014 Blog Entry about my first four months using Adjustable Rig including some unexpected and pleasant surprises.

AR RAISED INDIRECT BAKING - FIRST IMPRESSIONS 2014 Blog Entry about my first attempt at baking raised indirect on the Rig Extender at Level 7.5 of the AR.

THE ADJUSTABLE RIG - SEEING DOUBLE 2014 Blog Entry about my decision to pick up a second Adjustable Rig for my third (Baking Egg).

Jim

Mickey · February 2015

100% agree with @Photo Egg. I have had both and lost 2 PS's at Fests (never looked back). I have a PS now for the MM and getting a stone for it.

Eggerty · February 2015

I just got the setup of the AR B&R and a spider with stone. I love it. To me, the PS is bulky and hard to handle. The stone is much easier for moving in and out to go from ID to direct. Also I have seen others on the forum talk about the legs and how they create some different airflow issues around what you are cooking and even dome thermometer. I used some variations of my CGS from @tjv 4 times since received last week and could not be more happy.

My PS is now in the garage.

Ragtop99 · February 2015

No plate setter for my XL, just a woo and a stone. An AR & stone would be even better.

My medium came with the PS otherwise I would use Woo & stone combo with it too.

jtcBoynton · February 2015

I am not sure of the impact on cooking, but you can see in the attached pic the impact of a platesetter on heat distribution. I cooked pizza last night and let the fire go after removing the pizza. The firebox, fire ring and portions of the bottom and top domes got nice and clean. The black area on the bottom is where the platesetter leg was. You can also see it had an impact on the top dome as well.

jcaspary · February 2015

When I got my Lg. I got the plate setter not knowing about the AR. When I got my XL one of the first things I did was buy the AR for it. More versitile, easier to use, less air flow issues, allows me to grill more,... Don't get me wrong though when I use my Lg., which is most of the time, I use the plate setter and love it.

abpgwolf · February 2015

I have a woo and a stone for my XL. I also have a CI grid that fits on the lower ring for searing. The woo rarely leaves my egg. It's a very versatile set up.

texaswig · February 2015

I think the Woo, stone, AR setup equals the most versatility. I hardly ever not use one of them. I'm glad I never went with a ps.

Biggreenpharmacist · February 2015

If you already have the platesetter, you might look at a platesetter woo. It also gives you the ablity to lift the whole setup from the egg at once. I have two grids so I leave on on the firering and then the ps woo on top of that so reverse searing is a snap. The ps woo was just way cheaper since I already had a platesetter, just havent pulled the trigger on an AR.

bluebird66 · February 2015

Thanks for the info.

Lit · February 2015

I had both for my large and have both for my XL. Always use the plate setter for indirect and the AR for direct. Never wanted to get my pizza stone dirty and didn't want to have to foil it. You can put more lump with the plate setter also.

platesetter vs spider and stone

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