Intro and Questions

RickLRMS

Hello, all. I've been lurking for a few weeks here, more an in the shadows kind of guy, but did have a couple of questions as I prepare to purchase an XL BGE. I have had and used a Weber smokey mountain smoker and Weber grill, passed those along to my (adult) son recently, with plans to purchase the egg in a week or so. When I go low & slow, I tend to fill up the smoker, then vacuum seal and freeze. If I'm cooking butts, it's four butts, ribs, as many racks of ribs that will fit, even eight chickens at once on the Weber bullet. So while there are only the two of us now, I figure I'll continue in the same vein and do a lot at once.

So on to my questions.

1) I understand there are recent changes to the XL (hinge and shape of top); how can I know I'm getting the one with the changes (improvements, hopefully) when I shop the couple of places around here that sell them?

2) If I purchase the items below from The Ceramic Grill Store, do I still need the plate setter from BGE?

XL Woo Adjustable Rig Combo: 

16" X 29" Oval Stainless Grid: 

XL Slide Guide w/crossbar: 

18" Stainless drip pan: 

Anything else needed for routine grilling, routine low & slow, plus pizzas and even wok cooking? As an aside, I have a thermapen, as well as a BBQ guru which I did not pass along to my son as I will be buying an adapter for the BGE.

Thanks for any and all answers, and thanks for the wealth of info you (non gender specific) guys post routinely.

Rick

lousubcap

First up-welcome aboard and continue to enjoy the q journey.
I do not have the XL but am not familiar with any recent design changes.  I do know BGE went to a more rounded (higher) dome but that was a few years ago.  The hinge assembly I have seen addressed is for the LBGE.  I would give BGE HQ a call and see what they have to say.
Regarding your adds, You definitely are going the right road with products from CGS.  It appears from your list that you do not have a heat deflector (stone) planned from them.  The platesetter is a heat deflector and would not work with the combo.  You need a stone (CGS has them).  I would call CGS, explain your plans for the XL and you will get steered in the right direction.  
Hopefully the XL owners will be along.

johnnyp

As cap said above, that design change is a few years old now.  I can't imagine dealers are selling super-old inventory. 

As for the CGS stuff, you're on the right track, but will need the stone to cook indirect.  As cap said above, call them and they'll help a ton. I would advise cgs woo + stone over plate setter.

welcome and enjoy.  Hope to see some posts soon.

RickLRMS

Thanks for the replies, lousubcap and johnnyp. I must have been reading an older thread on the design change. I'll give CGS a call, see what they advise.

Rick

onedbguru

I have been extremely happy with my platesetter in my XL. I have done 4 butts at a time or 5-6 racks of ribs, but that has been the extent of my "big" cooks. I also have the pizza stone. Turns out great food. Welcome and hold onto your wallet    

GrillSgt

Platesetter typically is part of the package. Along with cover and ash tool. Maybe a glove and definitely a bag of BGE lump. Welcome and I'm looking forward to your inputs on smoking. 

lousubcap

@GrillSgt - you definitely found a great dealer and deal.  Every interaction I have had has resulted in an upcharge for the setter.  

Webass

RickLRMS said:

2) If I purchase the items below from The Ceramic Grill Store, do I still need the plate setter from BGE?

XL Woo Adjustable Rig Combo: 

16" X 29" Oval Stainless Grid: 

XL Slide Guide w/crossbar: 

18" Stainless drip pan: 

Rick

FWIW I bought the 18" stainless drip pan and have never used it as it's intended.  It's more of a tray with only about an inch of depth, so we use it as a serving platter.  If I do anything that's going to drip much I use a cheapo foil pan.  For nothing I use a sheet of AF to protect the placesetter.

When I bought my Large I shopped several competitors and ended up with a good price on the egg, custom table, placesetter, ash tool, stainless and CI grids, a bag of BGE lump, and a bag of apple chips.  It was all setup and we carried it home in the back of the truck.  Dealers have quite a bit of leeway in accessories included so don't hesitate to ask for more. 

GrillSgt

lousubcap said:

@GrillSgt - you definitely found a great dealer and deal.  Every interaction I have had has resulted in an upcharge for the setter.  

BG KY

RickLRMS

johnnyp said:

As for the CGS stuff, you're on the right track, but will need the stone to cook indirect.

Meant to reply earlier, the adjustable rig combo includes the stone. I bought the XL BGE without the plate setter, but with the stone (17.5) from CGS there's a fair amount of space around the outside. Might should have gone ahead and picked up the plate setter.

Rick

RickLRMS

GrillSgt said:

Platesetter typically is part of the package. Along with cover and ash tool. Maybe a glove and definitely a bag of BGE lump. Welcome and I'm looking forward to your inputs on smoking. 

The places around here had no package deals. Price on the XL BGE ranged from $1,199 to $1,059. Lowest price was closest place, they also had lowest price on wheeled nest. I bought there, assembled myself (with wife's help). I'm sending a dictionary to BGE in Atlanta so the folks who wrote the instructions will have some words available when they do the next version of the instructions, not just use pictures. Words would have been useful in a couple of places.

Rick