Accessories for first-time Egghead

To my experiance there is no need for a charcoal starter, i do use the convEGGtor, Cast iron and just ordered the grid lifter tool. Also have the ash tool, but not sure if i will use it much, last time i just took all out and cleaned it with a brush, but maybe for a large egg it could be handy.

Welcome and enjoy your new LBGE.

As for the table, going by previous threads, you may want to hold off and see what your needs develop to for layout and storage.  I waited about 5 months before my husband built me one for my LBGE.  And if you check out the "table forum" you will see all kinds of tables and ideas.

#4 - the electric start works great for me.

#5 - IMO - yes - you will absolutely love how pizzas come out on the egg.

#6 - Platter setter is a must for indirect cooking, now I've seen references to "non" BGE place setters that work with the BGE but when I bought my eggs the PS was part of the package.

#7, #8 - have both and I prefer to use the CI grill and the half moon is great for reverse searing.

#9, #11 - don't have these

#10 - I think so, its easier to use when the egg is hot instead of trying to use my hands with the welder gloves and get a grip on the grill. 

dutchMiniMax, its awkward for me to remove the fire box/ring due to the weight of the pieces and I would need to stand on a step stool or on the table to be able to reach down into the egg (which my husband would tell you that that's not a good idea for me)

#13 - I have one and use it, but if I had to do it over again, I wouldn't - its just as messy with it.  A piece of cardboard  would work just the same or as @texanofthenorth says - a small shop vac would work better.

Hold off in the table as stated above. Plus if you have a little skill, you can build a much better table at less cost. 

If you use a shop vac, make sure you wait until all embers are extinguished. There was a thread not long ago with a melted vac. 

Half moon you can do the same with a CI skillet or pan. 

There are tons of ways to start a fire, torches, alcohol, oil soaked paper towels. All depends on what you want and how patient you are. 

Essentials to me are: instant thermo, indirect piece (BGE or other), some way to raise the grid. (Can be as cheap as aluminum cans, or as expensive as an AR from ceramic grill store)

good luck, welcome and enjoy!

pizza stone and platesetter for pizzas, ash tool would be convenient (i dont have one), skip the cast iron grid and griddle and buy a more useful cast iron fry pan, dont buy the bge 3 rack system(go to the ceramic grill store on line and buy the adjustable rig combo package for direct, indirect, and raised grid settups and add the spider for wok cooking).  paper towell with a few drops of veggie oil is better than electric and most other lighting methods.

HofstraJet said:

I'm getting ready to order my first egg. Dealer is offering a good discount on accessories purchased with the egg, so I want to get what I anticipate using within the first year. Here's the list and some questions about a few items. I numbered them to make it easier to answer. Please let me know your thoughts on whether I need anything else or if you don't think an item is necessary. Will mostly do steaks, ribs, burgers, pizza and chicken to start. Also want to learn how to smoke. I have plenty of thermometers. Thanks!

1. Large Egg
2. Mahogany or cypress table (does either need to be finished or are they ready to go?)
3. Table Nest (do I need a paver under the nest?)
4. Charcoal starter - should I get the Speedlight or Electric or are they unnecessary?
5. Flat pizza stone
6. convEGGtor (plate setter)
7. Half moon cast iron griddle
8. Cast iron grid
9. 3 Level cooking grid for large egg
10. Heavy duty grid lifter (worth it?)
11. Large V-rack
12. Ash tool (worth it?)
13. Ash removal pan (worth it?)

Here are my own thoughts and opinions based on my experience and for what I like to cook.

1. Large is nice, I love my XL though.

2. Make your own, your money will go 10 times further.

3. Use a table nest, you want airspace in there.

4. Meh, I use Weber Cubes or if I need a hot raging fire I use a chimney.

5. Sure.

6. Sure.

7. Just get some CI skillets.

8. Meh. Not worth it to me.

9. Get the Adjustable Rig from Ceramic Grill Store instead.

10.  Don't have one, but I think about getting one every once in a while.

11. Yes comes in handy mostly for turkeys for me.

12. Nah.

13. Nah.

Welcome to the addiction, you are going to spend more money than you planned to and your grocery bill will go up.  

1.) I have a large and is plenty big enough for me (depends on if you cook for large crowds a lot

2.)  Table - BGE tables are nice, well built, but expensive.  You can build on cheaper.  I however, do not have the tools for woodworking and my spare time is valuable to me.  I would rather be doing other things, so I bought a table with my egg.  You need to figure out what your crafting abilities are and if it is worth your time.

3.) No Paver necessary

4.) Starter - I have electric and it is ok, when it breaks I will get a torch

5.)Pizza Stone - Yes

6.) Plate Setter - You need something for indirect cooking.  Look at ceramicgrillstore.com setups like adjustable rig.  Figure out what kind of set up you want and that will dictate whether you need plate setter or something else to deflect the heat.  Plate Setter came with my egg, so I looked at Adjustable Rig, went with the PSwoo instead since I didnt want my platesetter not used.  (I am very happy with the Pswoo)

7/8)  Dont have them, don't feel like it is something I need, might experiment with them later.

9.) Multi-level - Again, look at ceramicgrillstore.com adjustable rig.  I went with the PSwoo and made a second tier with nuts/bolts and have been very happy with it.

10.) Grid Lifter - use mine a lot, especially when reverse searing to take grate in and out without having to take the food off.

11.) Large V-rack - I dont use mine often, but it is good if you roast turkeys or do more than two racks of ribs.  I also use mine to set the hot grate, electric starter or stone on while it cools.  Comes in pretty handy, but not necessary.

12.) Yes (unless you have shop-vac), also use it to move charcol around to make smaller pieces fall through holes before adding more lump.

13.) Ash Tool - I use a regular dust pan

Other Items:

Thermapen
Remote Thermometer
Meat Gloves
Welder Gloves

Do your research and get a plan before you buy anything.  This will minimize buying accessories you don't end up using.  Problem is, you won't know exactly what you like until you start using it.  

The main thing I would suggest is to get on the phone and order the Woo and Adjustable rig instead of a plate setter and all the other grid raising attachments. I have been an Egg owner for 5 years (relative newbe) and just bought that setup for my XL. The price was a bit more than the plate setter (mine recently cracked) but I just threw away about 20 lbs. of junk that I had been using to do what this unit does so elegantly. If you have woodworking skills look into building your own table. You might want to look at JS Designs table if you want wood but if I were doing it over I would go with a stainless table for personal reasons.

1. Large Egg - Great starting point egg. Any smaller and you'll want to upgrade in 4-5 cooks. A large was my first Egg and then I got a 2nd large
   
2. Mahogany or cypress table (does either need to be finished or are they ready to go?) - As others said, build your own.
   
3. Table Nest (do I need a paver under the nest?) - Yes, get the nest for the table (if you build a table) - otherwise you can get the rolling egg nest with wings. The rolling egg nest suited my needs for many years starting out.
   
4. Charcoal starter - should I get the Speedlight or Electric or are they unnecessary? Get the Looftlighter - faster lighting and cooling. Less breakage - I went through 2 of the BGE electric lighters before finding the looft.
   
5. Flat pizza stone - Good, but not necessary to start. You can use the plate setter if you keep it clean for the same purpose. Just put your dough on parchment paper to start
   
6. convEGGtor (plate setter)  - I think this should be a mandatory accesory. Probably the first any egger should get
   
7. Half moon cast iron griddle - I have one that I've used maybe 3-4 times. They look awesome but functionality is really subpar. Get yourself a swing rack and you'll get the same effect
   
8. Cast iron grid - If you get a cast iron plate setter you'll kill two birds with one stone - but I agree this is a great upgrade, but not one I would say go for right out of the gate.
   
9. 3 Level cooking grid for large egg - Get the two tier swing rack from Ceramic Grill Works and you'll be set. The 3 level grid is way clunky.
   
10. Heavy duty grid lifter (worth it?) - Eh, you can get away without this but it is a nice to have
    
11. Large V-rack - Yes! A must for ribs in my opinion
    
12. Ash tool (worth it?) - I use mine before every cook - very handy
    
13. Ash removal pan (worth it?) - I can accomplish the same thing with a grocery bag, so not needed - but it is something that's usable.
    

the adjustable rig combo package comes with a pizza stone. with the spider-you can use the stone instead of the platesetter- put a cooking grid on the spider and your searing right up close to the fire where its hotter, no need for the heavey prone to break castiron grid-the spider holds a wok well. comes with a drip pan, can be used with mutiple levels for ribs so no need for a rib rack for most cooks and those are inexpensive at hd anyways and no need for that 3 tier grill, most dont like those anyways. people here seem to get crazzy about fire starting methods, follow this link before buying a gadget. a roll of paper towels and your good to go for a year or two
http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1143722/napkin-and-oil-trick-was-messy

Langner91 said:

I have two accessories that I wouldn't be without. 

I absolutely would recommend  the Kick-Ash-Basket and the Claw for removing / installing the plate setter when hot. 

I like the KAB because I can remove my left-over lump for cleaning once the grill cools off.  And the Claw saves the hair on my lower arms.  It makes plate setter changes a breeze.

The claw website is below.  I have no skin in the game with either product, just a satisfied customer.

http://www.innovationsbychance.com/the-claw.html

@Langner91, will that also fit the XL Plate Setter?  

@Ladeback69 the claw is not designed for the XL to the best of my knowledge. There are other products for removing the PS that will work. Ott grid lifter makes a SS tool for the PS that should work. I know there are others. I have a large at home and love the claw, because you can just pick it up and set it aside, no messing around. I have also wondered if it could be modified, but have not tried yet. Sorry.