Buying the egg

g8golfer

i haven't pulled the trigger on buying the egg but I'm really interested. I grill 2-3 times a week on a normal grill. Im just trying to get some feedback on weather I should spend $1000 on a large egg after I get the accessories. What's a good price on the large egg? Local dealer has it for $1099 with the stand and wings. 

gmac

Can't help you get on price but I haven't fired up my gasser in 7 years. Best thing I have purchased. You won't regret it. 

tarheelmatt

What's your 10-20?  

RRP

tarheelmatt said:

What's your 10-20?  

breaker breaker one niner 

this be the one Irish Rover

he broke he spoke he gone

lousubcap

Depending on your location, look for an eggfest.  There a once cooked (if that) demo BGE will come with a good price break, a starter package (fest depending) and the full-up warranty.  A good way to save some real $$ that you will immediately turn around with after market toys.  FWIW-

Mosca

Although you should try to get the best price today, trust me that 6 years down the road you won't remember what you paid. All you will remember is that the meals are spectacular.

6 years ago I bought a large BGE. I grill 2-3 times a week. I never looked back. I probably paid something like $1000, don't know the exact amount. Of all the crazy you-don't-need-that purchases I've made in 30 years of marriage (cars, cameras, stereo equipment, blah blah blah), this is the only one that Mrs Mosca has loved right along  with me.

dougcrann

Best thing we ever bought was our initial XL. 

bhedges1987

I did it. No regrets 

tarheelmatt

RRP said:

tarheelmatt said:

What's your 10-20?  

breaker breaker one niner 

this be the one Irish Rover

he broke he spoke he gone

That's a big 10-4 Irish Rover.. for sure.. for sure...  

MeTed

It is the best thing I have ever bought,and that includes my Harley which I love!

gmac

I always tell people that if my wife left me I'd be sad but if someone took my BGE away I'd be devastated. 

jak7028

Depending on how many people you cook for on a regular basis, if you mainly do direct grilling, I would recommend the XL over the large.  I bought a large because of the amount of food you can cook indirect on it and thought it was plenty.  I cook for a family of 5 and need more direct grilling space.  The XL probably has 3 times the good, even direct grilling space than the large has.  

The bottom of the Large is more bowl shaped and the XL has a flatter bottom.  XL gives a lot more area to spread out a good even bed of coals to cook over.

Now, that could of changed in more recent models.  I am basing this off the BGE from last year.

Also, start out simple with a few accessories to get you going.  Cook on your own and do research to see what ways you like cooking.  It allows you to spread out the expense and make sure you end up with equipment you like instead of wasting money.  

Best advice - if you are trying to save money, forget you ever came to this forum.  

g8golfer

Im not really looking at saving money just trying to figure out if spending $1000 will be worth it. Mostly grill for just me and my wife and every now and again I grill out for 3-4 more ppl but not to often. 

Smokin_Trout

Spend the extra $300 or so and get the XL. Look at some of the pictures on here and see if the food doesn't look worth it. 

Abter

talk with your dealer.  IMHO you need (must have?) a placesetter (known by the terrible term ConvEGGtor).  The wings are OK, but a nicety at best and pretty expensive.  If you are not getting a placesetter in the package already I would seriously push for "keep the wings, give me a place setter, and lower the price some".


"Best advice - if you are trying to save money, forget you ever came to this forum.   "  WONDERFUL ADVICE....you could even expand it to "...forget you ever got an Egg".   Its not (only) our fault!!!

YukonRon

g8golfer said:

Im not really looking at saving money just trying to figure out if spending $1000 will be worth it. Mostly grill for just me and my wife and every now and again I grill out for 3-4 more ppl but not to often. 

It is so worth it, several of us own more than 1.
I have an XL, I cook for many people very often. Briskets are easy on the XL, FWIW.
I also have the MM, perfect for my wife and I or cooks for 3-4 people, and we like taking it with us when we tailgate or camp.
It is worth the cost, If I need t use a gas grill, I will just use the oven.

jak7028

g8golfer said:

Im not really looking at saving money just trying to figure out if spending $1000 will be worth it. Mostly grill for just me and my wife and every now and again I grill out for 3-4 more ppl but not to often. 

Depends on the person and which way you look at it.

1) Cost analysis - it is more money upfront, but it will last the rest of your life, so no more buying gas grills every 3-5 years when they quit working.  Long run, it will probably be cheaper (unless you frequent this board).

2) Benefit - they are way more versatile than a gas grills and can make better quality food, even for beginner cooks.  It is fun to experiment with different kinds of recipes and cooking styles on the BGE.  

If you enjoy grilling 2-3 times a week, I think getting a BGE is an easy decision. I switched a couple of years ago from a cheap smoker and a propane grill to just the BGE. My only regret was not doing it sooner.

jstewart12a

I got what my dealer referred to as a deluxe large nest package. It included a large egg, nest, place setter, egg mates, ash tool, grill gripper, bag of charcoal and charcoal starters. I got out for a little over 1,000. Right now it's just me and my wife. Just go and look at all the models your local dealt has and see what fits you best. When you buy it'll be the best purchase you've ever made. 

RRP

The size egg(s) to get is a personal thing, but since you sound like us permit me to tell you what has worked for us. I really don't ever cook for so many that an XL even makes sense. Instead I started with a large but in 3 months added a small. Being just the 2 of us then that small gets 66% of all my cooks! I've always contended the perfect combo is a L and a S, though today the S would be replaced with a M/M.

TN22

Just cooked for 5 people on my new MM that is beside my L. The MM seems like it will become my workhorse for my 2-3 time per week grilling. Will use my L for the low and slow butts.

g8golfer

What size should I get? My and my wife 99% of the time. Usually I cook 2-3 burgers or 2 steaks. Rarely do I cook for a large crowd. Maybe 1 time a month and if I do it's usually 6-7 ppl. You ppl have convinced me to get one now I got to decide on the size. 

RRP

g8golfer said:

What size should I get? My and my wife 99% of the time. Usually I cook 2-3 burgers or 2 steaks. Rarely do I cook for a large crowd. Maybe 1 time a month and if I do it's usually 6-7 ppl. You ppl have convinced me to get one now I got to decide on the size. 

Well, you have already said money isn't the issue then why not start with a M/M and see it that suits your needs. You can always add a L for larger cooks.

Hans61

My two favorite possessions are my xl bge and my 60" flatscreen tv (Bose speakers add to it).

bought mine Spring of 2012, still passionately in love :-)

nhk19

I'm a novice to the BGE as I just got mine on 4/4/16.  I bought the XL due to typically cooking for at least 6 on the weekends.  Once school is out for the summer my teenage daughters will constantly have friends over and it's not atypical to be grilling for 11-15.  One pool party had over 25 teenagers here last year for burgers & dogs.
Prior to my egg I was also grilling 4x per week.  The food on my egg that I've had thus far truly beats a gas grill hands down and I still have much to learn. But,  I will be buying a mini max soon for when it's just me I'm cooking for or just my wife & I and who knows if or when the girls will be home.  Teenagers!!!!

Note- my combo gas grill / charcoal grill / smoker is at the top of my driveway ready to be picked up by the garbage truck in the morning.  The gas side is in need of parts.  The charcoal side is still good. But not putting any $$ into it. Doubt I'll use it. I'm sold on the food produced by the BGE.  No regrets at all.  Should have gotten an egg sooner.

bgebrent

If I were you, based on what you've said, I'd get a MM if you want a less expensive, gentle entry or a Large.  You won't regret it.

Dfoshee

I had the same  decision last year on size and my dealer  recommended a a large. I have cooked for 10-15 ppl. I used to grill a lot but now I smoke pork butts, loins, etc. I gave 1000 for mine with placesetter, nest, ash tool, bag of BGE lump and pizza stone. Best money I've spent in 45 years. What ever size you buy you will be greatly pleased.  

dmchicago

g8golfer said:

 just trying to figure out if spending $1000 will be worth it.

Yes.

And the next $1000 you spend on accessories, etc. will be worth it too.

Ozzie_Isaac

Only 2-3 times a week?  Unless you are prepared for 9-10 times a week stay with your gasser.

Biggreenpharmacist

For the love of all things holy, its a "plate setter". I usually ignore it when folks say place setter but damn. 

http://www.nakedwhiz.com/productreviews/ibcps/castironps.htm

Biggreenpharmacist

Sorry for being "that guy". 

BikerBob

Biggreenpharmacist

If you hadn't I was.

Back to the topic. It is stupid to spend money on an egg, or a boat or a car or anything else which is enjoyable. Put your money away for retirement. I heard that from the time I was old enough to know what a dollar was. I did not take that advice and have bought things I enjoyed. The egg is certainly one of the most used things I've ever owned.
For two of us, cooking for no more than three guests, the medium is ideal. I have a seven pound butt going on tomorrow night for a sixth birthday party on Saturday. It will serve four and two halves.
If I normally entertained dozens, I might want a bigger one, but the last time we had twenty guests was a motorcycle rally at the house and we served low country boil.

Bob

Bob