New guy here, planning stages for BGE

Sounds like for what you are planning, an XL would be the way to go for your first. Might want to plan some space for your second egg, medium or small.

Sounds like you have the budget to go all the way to the XXL if it will fit. You may want to consider it depending on how many people you entertain. I have an XL and would love to have the XXL if I could convince the wife that it's worth the money. Whenever I do a large party I find that the XL just isn't enough room. Food for thought. 

I have a large and it gets me through most groups of about 10-12. When I am cooking for the masses I often wish I had an XL but most of what i do is just for the family and maybe 1 or 2 other couples so it's plenty big and I would probably be irritated by the amount of charcoal I used up to make food for 3. MM is next on my list. 

When we had a pool when I was younger my dad was always cooking for a ton of food for teenagers and friends and we had a brinkman gas/charcoal combos and both sides were always full of burgers, chicken, ribs, corn, dogs for the kiddos, etc. so you are probably on the right track to assume the masses will show up. 

I don't know if you still have any room left but Inwould kill to have a warming oven built in outside. And an ice machine. Both my alto Shamm and my ice machine are in my garage so we are always trying to distract dogs on the way to drink refills and letting brisket/ pork shoulders rest. 

Welcome aboard and enjoy the journey. As you can see , no loss of opinions and options.  Wherever you land you will enjoy.

I think it depends on what you want to cook, and how many people you're cooking for.  I'm guessing from your plans that you like outdoor entertaining, and you'll be cooking for a bunch of people pretty often.  If that's so, your plan sounds perfect to me!

If you very rarely cook for a bunch of people, though, and mostly cook just for your family, a large might be more efficient and cost-effective.

Have you seen them in person?  IMO the perfect combination is the XL/Medium combo.  But the medium can't fit on the counter top like a MM so if that's what you're looking for then I guess you have your answer. 

First welcome to the Eggdiction. I think your plan is a good one to me. I have an XL and would like a medium or small to go with it.  The MM is nice, but I not into hauling it around from place to place.  Most the time I cook mass amounts of food on the XL and little help from my WSM and just transport to a party.  The MM doesn't take up much room, but a built XL and medium would be nice as well.  The XXL is neat to look at, but you can buy 2 XL's and save money and have the option to cook at different temps.  I have cooked a 18 pound brisket, 2 pork butts at one time, then cooked 7 ribs and 7 pounds of sausage for one party and that feed around 40 people with leftovers.  You just have to plan your cooks if you want to do multiple types of meats.  The XL can do a lot.  Here is what I did a few weeks ago for my In-Laws 50th.

http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1197445/big-cook-for-in-laws-50-wedding-anniversary-pic-heavy#latest

Get the XL and a medium. It's a great combo. The cost of adding the medium is peanuts compared to the overall project cost. Buy a MM later for traveling. 

Welcome aboard. I think whatever egg or egg's you buy will be great. You will really enjoy them.

Kelso said:

Thanks for all the feedback everyone.  I think I'm making the right choices, but many of y'all said to implement a medium or large alongside the XL.  I think if I need that much room I'll just use the gasser as well.

I love this place, and can't wait to be cooking outdoors.  The patio should be finished right around the time football season gets into full swing...did I mention Im also putting 2 TV's on the patio too. 

Now all you need to do is give all of us the address, and we will gladly show for some great grub and CFB of course!!!!

Welcome to the egg world! 

I have the large and small eggs that get used several times a week. I have a Webber smokey mountain that gets used once or twice a year. I have a Webber gasser that I haven't used in over three years. 

Initially I felt like I should have got the XL, and that almost regretful feeling continued for a long time. Don't get me wrong, the large is very capable. The only time I wanted more room was for parties over 10/15 people. Getting the adjustable rig with two cooking levels from the ceramic grill store stopped the XL cravings. 

When I added the small egg, it gave me the option of two heat zones to cook on, one to smoke and one to grill for example. The small also uses less charcoal and is perfect for middle of the week small cooks for me and the wife. 

I've considered the mini max, but I don't travel enough to justify buying it. My family plans to rent beach houses in southern CA annually, so the small might get to travel. In order to take the large, I would have to convince my wife to pack less clothing and shoes... 

My best advice: everyone needs at least two eggs. Get one big enough to handle your largest parties and one small enough to handle dinner for your family during the week. 

Nice

Who was your contractor? Where did you purchase your gasser and fridge, etc.?