2XL - Efficiency for Small Cooks

bkhooegger

I've had a LBGE for about almost four years now and love it. 80% of the time it is the perfect size to do what I need. But, the other 20% of the time, I really wish I had more space, which has made me consider getting the 2XL at some point. The 2XL, of course, would be far more than I need most of the time. For those of you who use a 2XL as your primary egg, are there any good tips/tricks to make it more efficient for small cooks?

lkapigian

Same questions for me, but my thought is a little lump in that thing goes a long way for regular cooks 

DoubleEgger

You likely aren’t going to find anyone who uses it as their primary. There is simply too much thermal mass to be efficient on smaller, shorter cooks. 

Gulfcoastguy

What about getting another L? They could share accessories, and you are already used to using one. 

GrateEggspectations

Sounds like it’s time for a Mini or Mini Max. 🙂

DoubleEgger

You might want to check out a pellet dropper. Most folks seem to like them. 

stlcharcoal

It's terribly inefficient if you just want to do a small cook......doesn't matter if you get one of those lump reducing rings or make a small fire, you still need to heat the whole thing.  There's a lot of dead airspace in there, and a bunch of ceramic to heat up.  No different then a big house with only two people in it, or a big cooler with only a 6-pack in it. 

One other thing to think about unique to the kamado......humidity/moisture.  That is one thing kamado's excel at retaining, because the meat loses moisture faster than air cycles through.  So it's like a little smokey steam bath in there.  But if you have a huge 2XL, with just two pork butts, that a lot more air going through and it's going to be a drier environment.

Other idea, just get another large.  Between the two of them, you'll have almost as much cooking space as a 2XL and then you can share the accessories, rigs, etc between the two.  Or, keep the large and get a XL--then you'll have more cooking space that one 2XL.  Either way, both ways a cheaper investment than a 2XL.

I have a family of 6 and use my Large 90% of the time.  Then I have the XL there for the other 10%.  I used to have a medium as well......hardly ever used it once the kids started getting bigger.  Between those two, I have more than enough room to do whatever I need to, even when we have 20-30 people over.

wardo

I have a large and think that if I can talk the Mrs into another egg, it'd be a minimax.  The 2xl seems just too big imo.

Eoin

An MMX will use a lot less lump for small cooks. It would be a waste of money not to buy one.

cookingdude555

Haven’t used my 2XL yet as I’ve owned it 1 week, but plan to for a family get together for the holiday this week. My main goal is more grid space. I have a ranch kettle I keep at my moms, and regularly cook on Weber 26.75’s. Everyone freaks out on how much lump they think the 2XL uses. The reality is it is only a little bigger than a 26.75, and that doesn’t use a ton of lump to cook on. In fact the 2XL will likely use less than the big kettle. The kettle loses the heat through its walls, but the 2XL retains much of it. I consider my XL & 2XL to be kettles that are really good at absorbing heat that would otherwise be lost in another cooker. 

Its your money and all all of us are happy to tell you how to spend it, but I wouldn’t try smaller cooks on the 2XL. Mine will be used 5-6 times a year for big gatherings. Most of the time it will sit under a cover while the smaller eggs are use as my BBQ workhorses. 

Even passed on using today as the XL handles three racks with ease.