Large or Xtra Large? Advice appreciated!

TXGDS,[p]I have an XL EGG and I have done four full racks of Spare Ribs in the past and had plenty of room to spare in the Egg. You can never go big enough. In fact, I am thinking about getting a second XL EGG soon...[p]Craig

I only have a large and can do 3 racks of BBR's. Only one brisket will fit with very little room for anything else. I guess you could stand 4 chickens. I have cooked a pretty large turkey with no problem.
Most of the time it's only my wife and me eating so I find the large is big enough for me. I worry that I would use too much lump on the extra large for the meals I usually cook. My idea is to get a small to cook veggies and sausage and sides on.
Hope it helps if only a little.

Willy
Luvs to shoot "and less than 24 hours to go" clay :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

I'm sure you will find lots of opinions both ways but I really like the Large.
(In fact I have three Large and a Small now)

My preference was to get a large first and then add a second one for more
versatility instead of one XL. Two different cooking areas with independantly controlled temps vs. one big one.

The third Large I won in the raffle at Eggtoberfest this year (dumb, drunk luck LoL. . .)
I also purchased the small to do sides, apps, and to take to the beach, etc.

Also, the fact that I do much more smoking than grilling, particularly for the few occasions that involve preparing food for larger groups, weighed in on my decision.

I really like the shear grilling area of the XL but the shallower dome and shallower firebox limits the ability to go vertical and stack things. Also notice how little space is between the XL plate setter and the grid. The XL is still rather new so there is not nearly as many third party options available for it as compared to the Large. Check out http://www.eggaccessories.com for example.

The shape and cooking characteristics look different to me as well. Larger diameter but shallower cylinder shape with less of a dome on the XL vs. the more traditianal Egg shape.

Most XL owners dearly love (and will defend) them and I'm sure that I will someday get an XL myself eventually. BobbyQ competes and wins with two XL eggs so they ARE good smokers.

This is just my $ .02 for what it is worth, so take it at face value . . .

- Just noticed that the question was on the main forum -
- Sorry for the duplicate post on the new forum -[p]I'm sure you will find lots of opinions both ways but I really like the Large.
(In fact I have three Large and a Small now) [p]My preference was to get a large first and then add a second one for more versatility instead of one XL. Two different cooking areas with independantly controlled temps vs. one big one. Also, most of my daily cooks are only for 4 to 6 people.[p]The third Large I won in the raffle at Eggtoberfest this year (dumb, drunk luck LoL. . .)
I also purchased the small to do sides, apps, and to take to the beach, etc. [p]Also, the fact that I do much more smoking than grilling, particularly for the few occasions that involve preparing food for larger groups, weighed in on my decision. [p]I really like the shear grilling area of the XL but the shallower dome and shallower firebox limits the ability to go vertical and stack things. Also notice how little space is between the XL plate setter and the grid. The XL is still rather new so there is not nearly as many third party options available for it as compared to the Large. Check out http://www.eggaccessories.com for example. [p]The shape and cooking characteristics look different to me as well. Larger diameter but shallower cylinder shape with less of a dome on the XL vs. the more traditianal Egg shape. [p]Most XL owners dearly love (and will defend) them and I'm sure that I will someday get an XL myself eventually. BobbyQ competes and wins with two XL eggs so they ARE good smokers. [p]This is just my $ .02 for what it is worth, so take it at face value . . .

:blink: I have a large and feed 25 people. I cooked a prime rib roast and a ton of fish. I did it without an extended grill too. If you have a lot of people the XL would be great.

Luvs to shoot clay wrote:

I worry that I would use too much lump on the extra large for the meals I usually cook. My idea is to get a small to cook veggies and sausage and sides on.
Hope it helps if only a little.

Most of the "XL wastes lump" myth is just that, a myth. If you're only cooking a small meal, just build a small fire either in the middle or to one side, you don't need it blazin all the way across. You can use the XL much like a Weber kettle in this way and move whatever you're cooking from direct on top of the fire and as the smaller pieces get done move it away from the heat. This would also let you cook different things all at once, throw some potatos on an hr ahead of time off to the side, throw some meat on top the heat, some corn off to the side, you get the idea. But the XL doesn't just suck down fuel like a '60's muscle car. Unless you have hot coals spread all the way across the firebox, (in which case you're probably cooking a lot of food and need it) I doubt you'll use any more lump than in any other size egg for the same cook.

Avodados,

I purchased by Lg EGG at the Eggtoberfest this past October. I have done a lot of different cooks but am still learning.

However in thinking ahead, I would like to have a more portable EGG for trips to the mountains or the beach, etc. Also, this would give me a second cooking surface for appetizers or sides.

I am torn as to whether or not a SMALL or MINI would be good for this.

I see that you seem to use a small for this purpose. How do you like it? How easy is it to transport??

Greg

milesofsmiles,

I am not too sure of the use of it.

I just know that I like to grill when on vacation. Therefore, the idea of a portable EGG is very appealing.

I have two kids and my wife, so therefore a minimum of 4 required to feed. However, we tend to bring our parents when we go out of town.

Greg

I am just at the point of thinking about it.

I might be ready by the time of next year's EGGtoberfest. I will probably elect for a small with a nest and mates.

Greg

Okay, well looks like I will just have deal with only having the nest.

The main thing is that I need to have it as easily portable as possible.

Now, I just have to warm up the wife on the idea.

Greg