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New Egger, Hello all!

gladis
gladis Posts: 25
edited November -1 in EggHead Forum
Hi all, been lurking around for a few months and finally got tired of reading about the BGE and bought one this Friday.

2009050102.jpg

Im hoping the pics I posted will come out ok (doubt it as I didnt read any directions.)

2009050114.jpg

I built my table for around 85 bucks and its based off of the Naked Whiz's plans (I used pine 1x4's instead of more expensive wood.)

My first two cooks were not good as I didnt realize the egg heats up so fast (this is not a bad thing just a learning curve on my part.)

Ive only cooked twice on the egg and here are a few newbie observations:

1. It heats up real real fast, about 10-15mins and its hitting 500f

2. It take a long long time to cool down if you overshoot your temp, so undershoot your target temp then raise it slowly (I guess.)

3. Waiting for the white smoke to clear is fast (only took one beer) I would guess from the initial light to cooking it was 20 minutes till I had my hot dogs grillin (I overcooked them btw..)

3. Used the two paper towel + cooking oil method to light, wow that is extremely easy.

4. Should have bought the platesetter when I bought the egg, Id say this is a must have buy as Id like to use it tonight.

5. Wife is really happy with the Egg and Im sure it will get better once we stop overcooking our food.


Thanks to all on the forum for your posts, the information and pictures are really helpful in planning future cooks.

-Dave

Comments

  • FlaPoolman
    FlaPoolman Posts: 11,676
    Dave, welcome to the eggworld. One piece of advice, I would put the feet between the egg and the paver stone. The heat will transfer through the stone to the wood without the air gap and you probably won't see it until it's too late.
  • JPF
    JPF Posts: 592
    Hello and welcome aboard Dave. Table looks very nice. Sounds like you are well on your way to cooking up some great food and memories! I agree that a plate setter or some type of heat barrier is needed. Half of my cooks are indirect and also in time some type or raised grid system. Good luck and once again welcome to the cult Dave.
  • lowercasebill
    lowercasebill Posts: 5,218
    welcome gladis
    take poolmans advice use the feet.
    i wished i had bought this http://www.ceramicgrillstore.com/ceramicgrillstore/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=226
    rather than the platesetter,, and eventually i will.
    the most necessary eggcessory is a thermopen... cook to temp and not by time it should be the first thing on your list and it will make you a better cook egg or not.
    happy eggin
    bill
  • Misippi Egger
    Misippi Egger Posts: 5,095
    Welcome to the cult, Dave.

    1) The little green feet that should have come with you egg should go between the egg and the stone.
    2) Do a search on "Grandpas Grub" and save the post - it has all the newbie links in one convenient place.
    3) Get yourself a wireless remote (Maverick ET-73 is inexpensive and reliable) so you can monitor internal temps from inside, while you are doing other things. I use this on almost every cook!
    4) When you recover from the egg purchase, order a "Thermapen" instant-read thermometer. It is incredibly fast and only makes a tiny hole in the meat, not allowing juices to leak out. They cost $70-90).
    5) Post any questions here. Someone is always on-line and can usually give you some help.

    ENJOY! ENJOY! ENJOY! :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:
  • bubba tim
    bubba tim Posts: 3,216
    Welcome Dave to the "Egg Cult". Until you attend the Eggtoberfest at the Mothership, you will not be taught the secret handshake... :whistle::whistle: In regards to Flpoolman's cooking tips, he is old and forgets from time to time. However, he is correct about the feet under you egg. That is a must! Again welcome aboard, have fun and learn lots. :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:
    SEE YOU IN FLORIDA, March 14th and 15th 2014 http://www.sunshinestateeggfest.com You must master temp, smoke, and time to achive moisture, taste, and texture! Visit www.bubbatim.com for BRISKET HELP
  • Firetruck
    Firetruck Posts: 2,679
    Welcome to the group.
  • Mainegg
    Mainegg Posts: 7,787
    Hi Dave and welcome!! here is the link to grampas tips and links. save it it is priceless :) looks like you have a good handle on things and as has been said feet under the base :) and I have an extra set for raising things in the egg too :) Julie
    http://www.eggheadforum.com/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&func=view&id=635425&catid=1#
  • FlaPoolman
    FlaPoolman Posts: 11,676
    Go back to reading your AARP mail :P
  • WingRider
    WingRider Posts: 326
    Dave,
    Welcome to the forum. If you have questions, don't be bashful speak right up,as mentioned above someone will come up with an answer for you. Nice looking table!
  • bubba tim
    bubba tim Posts: 3,216
    If I could see, I would...lol
    SEE YOU IN FLORIDA, March 14th and 15th 2014 http://www.sunshinestateeggfest.com You must master temp, smoke, and time to achive moisture, taste, and texture! Visit www.bubbatim.com for BRISKET HELP
  • loco_engr
    loco_engr Posts: 5,759
    Welcome to the world of "Why didn't I get one of these 10 years ago!" :laugh:

    Gotta ask: :whistle:

    What state? (Optional)
    And your nic . . . gladis=Dave :huh:
    aka marysvilleksegghead
    Lrg 2008
    mini 2009
    XL 2021 (sold 8/24/23)
    Henny Youngman:
    I said to my wife, 'Where do you want to go for our anniversary?' She said, 'I want to go somewhere I've never been before.' I said, 'Try the kitchen.'
    Bob Hope: When I wake up in the morning, I don’t feel anything until noon, and then it’s time for my nap
  • cookn biker
    cookn biker Posts: 13,407
    Welcome!! Stick around and you'll empty you bank account :laugh:
    Molly
    Colorado Springs
    "Loney Queen"
    "Respect your fellow human being, treat them fairly, disagree with them honestly, enjoy their friendship, explore your thoughts about one another candidly, work together for a common goal and help one another achieve it."
    Bill Bradley; American hall of fame basketball player, Rhodes scholar, former U.S. Senator from New Jersey
    LBGE, MBGE, SBGE , MiniBGE and a Mini Mini BGE
  • gladis
    gladis Posts: 25
    Thanks for the warm welcomes and advice. :) I just put the feet back on the egg, and now have a air gap.

    I bookmarked the url's for future reference, and Im going to convince my wife we "need" some of the suggested items for the egg. ;)

    (she is reading this thread)

    One of the reasons we got the BGE is I like to make pizza's and Stromboli, for pizza I like to use the highest heat possible and will keep you guys informed of any progress made. In the meantime here is what my Stromboli look like, think I can replicate this on the egg?


    200901191.jpg

    As for pizza Im a extreme newbie but I do know what kind of pie's I like and one day my goal would be to make pies similar to this website (lots of pizza pics so becareful if you are hungry)
    http://www.varasanos.com/PizzaRecipe.htm

    Again thanks for the welcomes and Im sure Ill be asking silly questions in the near future. :P
  • Eggtucky
    Eggtucky Posts: 2,746
    Looks like an outstanding start to me gladis! Very nice job on the table and the pix. WELCOME to the forum!
  • Ripnem
    Ripnem Posts: 5,511
    I'm still trying to figure out what you CAN'T make on the Egg. When you venture into pizza temps, use caution. Burp, welding gloves, ball cap on backwards, vasaline on your eyebrows, safety glasses...No I'm just kidding, but I'm not.

    It won't be long until you too will be making better in your backyard than you ever thought possible. Problem then comes when you have to eat food you didn't Egg. :laugh:

    Enjoy and Welcome
  • Grand Oeuf Vert
    Grand Oeuf Vert Posts: 1,631
    Welcome to the club Dave! Just think of all the great food you can look forward to! You made the right choice in buying the BGE! Nice job on the table too!
  • jake42
    jake42 Posts: 932
    Welcome aboard!!!!!
    Your cooking experience will never be the same.
    Great job on the table!!!
  • Bordello
    Bordello Posts: 5,926
    Welcome to Egg-land Dave & Wife,
    You already are off to a good start and have gotten good advice from other Egger's here.

    Lots of fine people here to help if needed so feel free ask away.

    Post more pictures of your cooks and good luck with the pizza making.

    Regards,
    Bordello
  • KS Cheryl
    KS Cheryl Posts: 55
    Welcome to the cult. Definitely get the plate setter, and you might as well get the pizza stone. You'll want it also for baking. KS Cheryl
  • Panhandle Smoker
    Panhandle Smoker Posts: 3,018
    Welcome to the crowd! Nice looking rig, Pine is fine and under rated in my opinion. Sounds like you are off to a good start. I have found a good cure to overcooking is a good thermometer. The Egg will kinda fool you. We are used to cooking with other devices and it is hard to trust the Egg at first. Trust the Egg.
  • Grandpas Grub
    Grandpas Grub Posts: 14,226
    Congratulations and a warm welcome.

    Pictures and very nice looking table.

    When you get time I sure would like more information on the Stromboli - that too us beautiful.

    GG
  • Hoss
    Hoss Posts: 14,600
    Welcome.Great lookin rig! ;)
  • BENTE
    BENTE Posts: 8,337
    welcome dave it looks like you have plenty of good suggestions to help you out the most important thing i can offer is keep comming back here for any more questions ;)


    again welcome to the forum

    happy eggin

    TB

    Anderson S.C.

    "Life is too short to be diplomatic. A man's friends shouldn't mind what he does or says- and those who are not his friends, well, the hell with them. They don't count."

    Tyrus Raymond Cobb

  • AnnaG
    AnnaG Posts: 1,104
    Welcome!!! That is a fine looking table you built. You will enjoy it... I am betting the third time cooking will be the charm... Let us now how it goes...
  • pattikake
    pattikake Posts: 1,175
    Welcome Dave,

    Good luck on your new egg, the plate setter is a must have. Many happy days cookin on the egg. Your table looks great.

    Patti
    Wichita, KS
  • gladis
    gladis Posts: 25
    Wow again thanks for all the welcomes, here is my third cook! So much better than the first two, but again we overcooked the chicken a little. It could have been a bit more moist.

    Got the egg to 350:
    2009050306.jpg

    Wife brined a cheapo 5 pound chicken for a few hours from a recipe she got here:
    2009050310.jpg

    To achieve 350 I left the top open this much:
    2009050311.jpg

    Bottom (note the feet are now in play :P ):
    2009050312.jpg

    End result after two hours:
    2009050320.jpg

    I posted all the pics to garner some suggestions for my next chicken, again it was good but not that moist. Im guessing just knock the time down from 2 hours to 1 1/2 hours?
  • Big'un
    Big'un Posts: 5,909
    WELCOME GLADIS!! We are glad to have you cooking with us! ASk any questions you have, and we'll help.
  • cookn biker
    cookn biker Posts: 13,407
    Did you go by time or temp. You should go by temp, always. Looks good. I that your indirect setup until you get the platesetter? Every cook is a learnign lesson.
    Molly
    Colorado Springs
    "Loney Queen"
    "Respect your fellow human being, treat them fairly, disagree with them honestly, enjoy their friendship, explore your thoughts about one another candidly, work together for a common goal and help one another achieve it."
    Bill Bradley; American hall of fame basketball player, Rhodes scholar, former U.S. Senator from New Jersey
    LBGE, MBGE, SBGE , MiniBGE and a Mini Mini BGE
  • AnnaG
    AnnaG Posts: 1,104
    I bet that chicken was still good!!! Keep cooking on the egg and posting pics... Looking forward to them... You will get better each time, as you get to know your egg... :)
  • gladis
    gladis Posts: 25
    cookn biker wrote:
    Did you go by time or temp. You should go by temp, always. Looks good. I that your indirect setup until you get the platesetter? Every cook is a learnign lesson.

    Ya we went by time, not temp.. Next cook will be by temp. :)