Placesetter Replacement Options -- Cast Iron vs. Spider & Stone

CheeseheadIllinois

After two ceramic placessetters breaking in two years, it's time to consider alternatives.  I've read about the cast iron placesetter from places like Smokeware https://smokeware.com/  and I've read about buying a spider and a stone from Ceramic Grill Store https://ceramicgrillstore.com/.  I have a large BGE.  I like to smoke meats and I like to grill pizzas on the BGE.  Thoughts on cast iron placesetter vs. spider/stone?

Spaightlabs

CheeseheadIllinois said:

After two ceramic placessetters breaking in two years, it's time to consider alternatives.  I've read about the cast iron placesetter from places like Smokeware https://smokeware.com/  and I've read about buying a spider and a stone from Ceramic Grill Store https://ceramicgrillstore.com/.  I have a large BGE.  I like to smoke meats and I like to grill pizzas on the BGE.  Thoughts on cast iron placesetter vs. spider/stone?

*platesetter

bgebrent

Either one would serve you well.  Just need to decide if you want the cooking/searing functionality of the CI platesetter vs. the spider/stone.

CheeseheadIllinois

I've read a bit about the searing.  Couple questions on that.  How would you do a steak with the placesetter?  Sear it first and then remove the placesetter to finish grilling the steak?  Wouldn't you have to clean the PS after using it as a cooking surface?

westernbbq

Spider gives you flexibility to use a searing grid, elevated stone, and a wok...plus you can drop flavoring woods into the Firebox during a cook which is great for layering flavors

Legume

Spaightlabs said:

CheeseheadIllinois said:

After two ceramic placessetters breaking in two years, it's time to consider alternatives.  I've read about the cast iron placesetter from places like Smokeware https://smokeware.com/  and I've read about buying a spider and a stone from Ceramic Grill Store https://ceramicgrillstore.com/.  I have a large BGE.  I like to smoke meats and I like to grill pizzas on the BGE.  Thoughts on cast iron placesetter vs. spider/stone?

*platesetter

*conveggtor

bwahahaha - worst rebranding ever

seroiusly though, get the setup from CGS.  I bought a woo, stone and bge ci grid sized for the spider and eventually went back and got the AR setup, half moon stone, etc.  I still use the platesetter now and then, but prefer the woo setup 90% of the time.

CheeseheadIllinois

k, let me ask a follow-up question.  is there something i can buy at CGS that will allow me to cook two pizzas at the same time on a Large BGE?  Would I be able to also use this as placesetter for smoking?

DialSquare

Woo and stone is the best option. The platesetter only has one function, while the woo and stone lets you do indirect, grill at 3 different levels, it functions as a wok ring, and also inverts to raise the stone for pizza. 

Legume

I'm not sure anyone regularly cooks 2 pizzas at once or would recommend it.  I've seen the question asked but don't think it's easy to do well.  I sometimes cook two smaller ones side by side in my XL, but I assume what you mean is two larger ones, stacked.

Hotch

Just give Tom a call at The Ceramic Grill Store and tell him what and how you want to cook on the BGE. He will point you in the right direction!
My favorite setup is the PSWoo with the R&B Stone!!

CheeseheadIllinois

It's not easy to cook two pizzas simultaneously on the Large BGE (due to stacking grates and different temps at each level) but when you're entertaining for 8 or more, it sure is frustrating to cook only one at a time.  I'll call Tom @ CGS and see what he has to say.  Thanks all for your thoughts.

Hotch

Take a look here at the double pizza setup with the adjustable rig. (Bottom of the page) And then call Tom tomorrow. The A/R is a great product.

https://ceramicgrillstore.com/pages/large-adjustable-rig-pizza-baking-ceramic-kamado-grills

Legume

CheeseheadIllinois said:

It's not easy to cook two pizzas simultaneously on the Large BGE (due to stacking grates and different temps at each level) but when you're entertaining for 8 or more, it sure is frustrating to cook only one at a time.  I'll call Tom @ CGS and see what he has to say.  Thanks all for your thoughts.

Totally understand.  The only way we do it for a bunch of people is making smaller pizzas, getting everyone into the gig, topping, stretching dough, etc.  It can be a shjt show in the kitchen.  Everyone stands around and eats off of whatever comes off the egg, typically with a drink in one hand.  The most important part of this is that I get to avoid the kitchen except for picking up and dropping off.  

Hotch

We had a pizza party back in September. The Guests made their own pies and then they were cooked on one of the two MiniMaxs or I double up on my large. I asked my good friend William, @Sancho65 to pretty much take care of the Pizza cook and he did an amazing job!






In all I think we cooked around 30 or so pies.
So it can be done!!

chuckytheegghead

I’ve had good success with the same setup as @Hotch , with the exception of the pizza stones. I personally find that the crisper trays work just fine for me with the platesetter down low. 

Woodchunk

Nice setup for the mm & mini's

tjv

If you don't need the full flexibility of the adjustable rig and are open to other alternatives than a platesetter, I highly recommend the large woo ring with half stones.  



https://ceramicgrillstore.com/collections/big-green-egg-large-accessories-by-ceramic-grill-store/products/large-woo-3-leg-bge

Couple months ago, we redesigned the Woo to bring the stone above the fire ring, This let's us increase stone size (up to 16" dia.) for wider indirect coverage. 

I recommend the half stones, so you can set up with just one half stone and create a dual zone, half direct & half indirect. Or, forgo the stones and grill direct at the felt line.  Woo also holds our 16" wok. 

Add the handles for CGS's signature easy in & easy out. With handles, you can add our PSWoo Extender and 16" D grid for a second level.  It's our best Woo yet for those without a platesetter. 

t

westernbbq

CheeseheadIllinois said:

k, let me ask a follow-up question.  is there something i can buy at CGS that will allow me to cook two pizzas at the same time on a Large BGE?  Would I be able to also use this as placesetter for smoking?

Yes.  Ive done it many times in XL
Spider and stone in basement for indirect setup
Then adj rig on top with xl pizza stone on roof and an oval grid under oval stone on next highest level...attic?   Then you have radiant heat from roof stone to cook top of za on second level...jsut be sure bge heats up for at least an hour.  650F minimum and be sure to have your pizza peel skills darn near perfect for this one....