New XL Egg Owner

gmoor6

What are the 4 most needed accessories for my new XL Big Green Egg?   I am thinking of cooking both direct and indirect heat.  Ash Tool, Deflector Plate, Grid Extender, Stainless Steel Smoke Stack Cap?

tulocay

Thermapen should be high on the list.

bluebird66

Welcome aboard!

gmoor6

Thanks I'm already getting addicted.   

Foghorn

Thermapen. 

Consider an Adjustable Rig (or some variation thereof) intead of the deflector plate and grid extender.  Call Tom at Ceramic Grill Store. http://www.ceramicgrillstore.com/

I'm happy with my original cap so I may just be ignorant about the benefits of the stainless steel smoke stack cap. 

And welcome aboard.

theyolksonyou

Welcome. Thermapen or pop is top of the list. For low and slow a remote thermo is a nicety.

Tinyfish

Thats a good start for accessories.

MadcapMagician

I want to save up for the ash basket, I like the idea of it.

Jeepster47

Welcome ...

Yep, something to measure temp should be first ... thermopen is the Cadillac of the lot ... there are other more inexpensive alternatives ... look through the Thermoworks website ... thermopop is a good alternative.  Cooking to temp and not time is Gospel for cooking on the egg.

Without a plate setter or indirect alternative set up, you've given up a lot of the capability of the egg.  Check out the ceramicgrillstore.com for options to cook indirect.

Raised direct is another common method of cooking on the egg ... again, look at the ceramicgrillstore.com for options.  Bricks, beer cans, etc. can raise the grate, but the Woo and the Adjustable Rig are better choices long term.

You want to minimize lifting the lid and peeking in at the meat, so some type of temp measuring instrument is advisable.  Maverick 732 or 733 are two options that have remote monitoring capabilities.  If remote is not necessary, Thermoworks offers some great equipment.

henapple

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tksmoke

Here are the things I would procure first.  There will be many more, and there's no reason to rush into buying a lot of stuff you won't use.

As previously mentioned: Thermapen

Ceramic Grill Store: Woo2, 17.5" Stone, 18" Drip Pan - This takes care of raised direct, and indirect cook needs.  I'm assuming you do not have a Plate Setter.  If you don't have one, with the CGS Stone, there is no need.  I got one, and it sits at the bottom of my BBQ stuff - unused. http://www.ceramicgrillstore.com/xl-woo2.html. 

Grid Extender?  I have a CGS Adjustable Rig.  It's nice, but if you have the Woo, unless you are doing really big cooks, it won't get used much.  There is lots of space on the XL as is.

Smokeware Cap I would put in the wait a while category.  The BGE cap is functional.  There will be so much stuff you want to buy - try to keep your first purchases to important stuff.

On item that I really like is the Bernzomatic Weed Torch from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Bernzomatic-19425-Self-Igniting-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B00008ZA0F/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1419987275&sr=8-3&keywords=weed+torch  Using Mapp gas, it will get your lump lit right now.

I use the Ash Tool, but many don't.  Also haven't seen the great utility of the ash basket. 

These are all personal preferences - you will develop your own as you gain experience. 

Enjoy, and if you need me to spend more of your money, don't hesitate to ask - I can give you lots of suggestions.

 

 

 

AUCE

I'm with sir hen

AUCE

Seriiysly..:0)
I'm a noob bge xl owner too. Thermoworks dual temp with smokehouse probes kit. Thermo pop
Platesetter
Good gloves

AUCE

Then...the rest of the goodies. ..be patient and research.read posts etc.

Humpy_Dumpty

1) Plate Setter
2) Pizza Stone
3) Ashtool (unless you can easily shop vac the ash out)
4) iGrill 2 thermometer.

Therma pen is great (I have one), but for smoking I don't like having to open the lid to check temperature. Plus the iGrill plots temperature over time on a graph. I love it

Welcome!!

AUCE

Hardest thing..trust the temp.

gmoor6

Thanks Again to all for the Good advice for this EggBeginner.  I did so much research and comparing between the PRIMO and the XL Green Egg.  At the end of each day I kept coming back to the Big Green Egg as my choice.  After many years of wanting one I finally decided now is the time to get that Big Green Egg XL.  I can't wait to use it.  I will go with the Nest for now until I can decide on the perfect table.  

UrbanForestTurnings

Welcome. Did anyone mention beer?

gmoor6

Beer and other Adult Beverages are aways on deck.  lol

UrbanForestTurnings

Two fire bricks in the fire box on edge works well to keep the lump in half the box.if you need to cook direct and indirect on the main grill. I use a third brick cut in thirds to elevate a second grid. Have fun with it and post pictures

logchief

Definately a remote sensor like the Maverick 732 or 33 for low and slows and a plate setter or something similar.  A digital thermometer is a must and as you've seen above Thermopen is the go to item

And most of all welcome, looking forward to some cook pics.

mmiladinov

I'd say everyone had covered most of the immediate essentials. Definitely do your research before purchasing anything. This forum is excellent and contains a wealth of information from very knowledgeable people.

And if you enjoy them, make sure you have some beers at your disposal at all times while egging.

Welcome to the addiction.

gmoor6

Thanks for all the responses.

News2u

Once you get going and get comfortable cooking on your new egg, you'll soon want a fail-safe method of heat control on slow cooks.  Hence, the essential elements of hands-free smokes are the Digi-Q and Pit Viper. Been salivating over the system in my dreams since acquiring my XL last April. Well, it was among 1 of my gifts under the tree this year, thank my lucky stars. Can't say enough about it.

Froman

Congrats on getting an egg!

jhl192

Thermapen; Plate setter; Pizza stone w / 3 @ 1/2" copper T's ; Woo2

grege345

Another egg?

Ladeback69

News2u said:

Once you get going and get comfortable cooking on your new egg, you'll soon want a fail-safe method of heat control on slow cooks.  Hence, the essential elements of hands-free smokes are the Digi-Q and Pit Viper. Been salivating over the system in my dreams since acquiring my XL last April. Well, it was among 1 of my gifts under the tree this year, thank my lucky stars. Can't say enough about it.

I rather have the Pit Master Q120 at about a third of the cost. IMHO.

@gmoor6‌, I got the plate setter, because I wanted to do a low and slow cook quick, but I would have waited and had gotten the AR. I have been told the AR will work with the PS though. Thermopen or ThermoPop and Maverick a must.

DGarner211

I'm a relatively new owner as well, and I'd suggest that the "must haves" are a good dual probe electronic thermometer (Maverick 733 for me), a good instant read thermometer (Thermapen for me), the platesetter, and then some basic items like oven gloves, ash tool, grill gripper, etc.  The major purchases I think everyone needs are the thermometers and the platesetter.

I also have a woo and a pizza stone, and I love both, but I could get by without either of them.

bcsnave

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