Newbie here

tgragg33

hey guys been lurking for some time now finally bought me a large BGE. I'm in the process of building a teakwood table.  In the mean time I would really like to know what are the necessities I really need to get this thing up and going with good/great results. Thanks in advance and can't wait to get started cooking. 

YukonRon

A fat wallet and a big bank account for descretionary spending. Seriously, to get started, as in cooking, you need a place setter. Get some decent lump, and start cooking and measuring. Take notes. Get some HD aluminum foil, shallow aluminum disposable trays, a fire starting mechanism, a very good IT thermometer, some high heat protective gloves, and start experimenting. Have fun. Enjoy your cooks. As you move along, check back into the forum, when you have an idea of the direction you want to go, we will help you get there.
there will be others that post on your thread, they will give you better advice than I, perhaps. I just know for me to get started with the basics, this is what I started with and it got me through.
i hope this helps, just give a few days, others will follow with great input.
Again, have fun, and welcome to the greatest forum for the OCD!!!!

slovelad

Be more specific . Do you mean what extras?

inwould say all you really need is a plate setter or some other way to cook indirect like an adjustable rig.

you will need a table nest to put the egg on when you get it in the table, must have an air gap between egg and table.

other than that, enjoy man. the startup cost will be the cheap part lol trust me, I didn't believe that at first either.

make sure to do a couple low heat cooks first, to make sure your gasket gets a good seal. Maybe a couple pork butts.

and post plenty of pics!

WeberWho

My biggest suggestion would be to hold off and see what you actually need. It's very easy to spend other people's money here. My only suggestion would be to get a good instant read thermometer. The all around favorite here is the ThermApen. Expensive but worth every penny. It's a game changer in my opinion. 

SloppyJoe

Cheap bourbon

tgragg33

Hey thanks, I do have a plate setter. I was speaking more in the area of what YukonRon nailed on. Can't wait to get this thing going. 

NPHuskerFL

Welcome. 
Fire, beverage and swag. Game on. Enjoy!

lousubcap

In addition to the basics above, you need a way to cook raised direct.  Getting the cooking grid at least to the gasket level.  You can use fire bricks, bolts and another grid, pound three aluminum canned beers to elevate the grid off the fire ring or something else cheap and simple (give the search function a go, or add big green egg to a google query).
And here's a great reference site for all things ceramic: 
http://www.nakedwhiz.com/ceramic.htm  Chances are any questions you have will be answered in there.
Welcome aboard and enjoy the journey.

ksmyrl

Gloves. Really good gloves. Then just start cooking. 

Welcome

GATraveller

Instant read thermometer is a must. Aside from that you don't need to buy anything to cook amazing grub. A couple of fire bricks can get your grate to felt level without the platesetter. Welcome. 

bgebrent

@tragg33, welcome aboard brother.  Some of the above I'd agree with.  Best advice is from WeberWho and @lousubcap.  Then @NPHusker, although sometimes you must think about his posts . Thermapen is a must, fine bourbon is a must, the ability to cook raised is a must.  The rest is having fun learning how to put great food on the table.  

tgragg33

Wow guys thanks so much. Great info!!

logchief

Hey welcome, another great site is amazingribs.com.  An encyclopedia on all things BBQ.

Don't forget to post pics of your cooks and your table build, everybody here loves to see them.

MJG

Learn to control temps. If you don't already know how to...learn to pace yourself cocktail intake wise. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Also remember that BBQ is like a hand grenade...precision not required, just get it close. 

motowfo

When I started on my LBGE 16 years ago, a lot of the fancy gadgets that are available today were unheard of.  Good lump charcoal, learning to regulate temps and a good temp detection device were what I started with.  Over the years, Thermapen, Woo Rings, Cast Iron, better this and that.   BUT... I don't really know if the food today really is any better than when I started!  The Egg will do the work and you get all of the credit!  How bad is that?

Generally, as has been stated and restated... have some fun.  Learn your Egg and amaze people with what it can do! 

Over time be surprised at all of the things you can do and carry forth the BGE banner to the future generations!

Rick

Steve753

I have other ideas. The Thermopen is expensive. Unless you are a pro, a Thermopop works just as well, and is a lot less expensive. The difference? A Thermopen will give you a reading in 2 seconds, and a Thermopop will give a reading in 6 seconds. Another accessory that will be very helpful is a Kick Ash Basket that will make a cleanup in the firebox much easier, and increase air flow. I also love my Maverick remote thermometer.
That's my 2 cents worth.