Brand new to the Egg any help is appreciated

DanielTylerFL

Hey everyone, I won a Large Green Egg from my church in a raffle back in 2017.  I’m just recently got it unboxed, and partially set up.  I’m not sure if what I got was a test green egg or whatever but I got everything including the egg, the egg roll stand, some charcoal, and a few accessories which I’m stoked about.   Now I’ve always grilled with a Weber and I know that this is a major upgrade to what I’ve been used to. I’m excited to use it but I’m mainly going to be cooking burgers for me, pizza for the kids and veggies for my wife.  I don’t have a cooking surface and I’ve been doing research on what type of temperature control (for the top) and there is a ton for these thing out there.  I want to get something that is going to get me started obviously and also accessories that will LAST—I’m not interested in products that will fall apart in a few months to save a few bucks.  With all that said, any input from y’all will be extremely helpful seeing that I don’t know anything about Egging yet.  We live south of Daytona Beach, Florida and will be doing a lot of grilling in the upcoming months.  Thanks in advance!  Bear with me as I’m new to participating in forums and I don’t use any social media stuff.

Gulfcoastguy

Congratulations! These bums will definitely help you spend your money. Maybe you could post pictures of the accessories that you already have. Also we need to know what sort of cooking you want to do. Fast and hot for pizza? Low and slow for pulled pork? 

GrateEggspectations

Welcome. Hard to know what info you need on the basis of your post. What do you need help with? Starting the Egg? Low and slow? High heat pizza? Start by using the search function. 

Let us know what you need help with and we’ll be happy to assist. 

Photo Egg

Welcome...
Put the temp control idea out your head until you understand and can control your cook manually.
And don’t expect miracles. There is a learning curve. Jumping in head first will just get frustrating. Any ceramic grill is awesome but not necessarily the best grill for the job. But it’s versatility is to do lots of things well is unparalleled.
An Adjustable Rig or Woo from Ceramic Grill Store is a great, high quality start.
https://ceramicgrillstore.com/collections/big-green-egg-large-accessories-by-ceramic-grill-store

buzd504

How have you had this egg in a box for 4 years?

DanielTylerFL

I guess getting more specific, I have no cooking surface.  I prefer cast iron if it’s available.  What are my best options?  From my little research, opening the top with a fire going will constantly keep the fire at its hottest and only adjustment will be at the bottom.  I’m sorry if any of these questions are basic, I’m just trying to get a grapple on what is a necessity early on and will help me vs. what I can wait on.  I’m just looking to do basic stuff at the moment till I get a grip on all of this.  Thanks!

GrateEggspectations

DanielTylerFL said:

I guess getting more specific, I have no cooking surface.  I prefer cast iron if it’s available.  What are my best options?  From my little research, opening the top with a fire going will constantly keep the fire at its hottest and only adjustment will be at the bottom.  I’m sorry if any of these questions are basic, I’m just trying to get a grapple on what is a necessity early on and will help me vs. what I can wait on.  I’m just looking to do basic stuff at the moment till I get a grip on all of this.  Thanks!

I am a huge fan of cast iron, but I wouldn’t get it as a first or only grate. The original stainless steel grate would be a better choice for most people, IMO. Cast iron requires a lot of maintenance on the Egg. You have to season it with oil constantly. Also, high heat burns off seasoning, leaving cast iron to rust if not promptly attended to. 

DanielTylerFL

buzd504 said:

How have you had this egg in a box for 4 years?

Yep...it’s circa October 2017 so really....🤣😂. My wife and I finally got to where we will spend the rest of our lives and are done moving.  Figured I’d open it up. 

DanielTylerFL

I’m used to cast iron as that’s all we cook with in the house if I can help it, But I’ll try stainless and see how it fares.  But besides all that...what are those layers inside for?? Different levels for different heats?  

Gulfcoastguy

Follow that link to the ceramic grill store. You can even call the number on the website and they will help you out. Strange that the stainless steel grid wasn’t in one of your boxes.

Buckwoody Egger

You may already know this but your pictures don’t show the cast iron fire grate. It covers the bottom hole and charcoal sits on it. Some people prefer a charcoal grate that looks like the Weber charcoal setup (a smaller grid than the cooking surface). In my opinion they can get high temps too fast for beginners and let too many small embers through if you are forgetful about closing the screen. 

Most important advice— understand what burping the egg is — preventing backdraft. 

StillH2OEgger

I'd recommend a few starter videos that I'm sure exist online somewhere and I'm sure will be more helpful and descriptive than anything I can usefully offer here. I strongly suggest getting a stainless grid to cook on and then try a few things before you start investing in a bunch of accessories that you may not need.

And welcome aboard! I grilled with propane most of my life and had very little charcoal experience before getting a BGE. Just understand there's a learning curve and you'll get there in no time.

SamIAm2

I don't see the top vent cap. The original large BGE came with a cast iron vent cap, sometimes called a daisy wheel which is used, along with the bottom slide vent to set the temperature you wish to cook your food.

Search for BGE top vent cap on the internet to see other options, rEGGulator or Smokeware Cap are two choices. Find your cap if it came with your package and start charcoal in your egg. Suggest you use the opportunity to learn how to control temperature before you try to actually cook food.

Bookmark this link https://eggheadforum.com/discussion/746823/vent-settings-a-visual-guide#latest as a guide if you have the original cast-iron daisy wheel.  The egg takes a while to reach temp from first lighting and changes to top or vent settings seem slow to be reflected my your temp gauge.
It is a learning curve and different tops work differently.

Welcome to the forum and have fun cooking.

Edit - You can use this link to explore the BGE web page for help.

https://biggreenegg.com/faqs/
https://biggreenegg.com/egg-works/
https://biggreenegg.com/safety-tips/

DanielTylerFL

Yeah, there was no grilling grate or anything.  What you see is what I got.  I’m that’s why I’m thinking it was a sample grill or something for a vendor.  Who knows.  So I’ll need a grate obviously...and the cast iron bottom plate?

Calbbqer

Get a kick ash basket and you won’t need the cast iron bottom plate 

Buckwoody Egger

Ok I would get about 5 things and get cooking. Yes you need (1) fire grate, (2) cooking grid and (3) top air flow control. For cleaning the grate, if you go SS, I would get a “billy bar” (4) which lasts forever and never loses metal bristles in your food.  You also would appreciate a grid gripper (5) or similar depending on what cooking grid you get.  Looks like you have a fire starter and you mentioned some lump charcoal. 

Drop by an Ace Hardware in your area for BGE branded (dealer locator on biggreenegg.com) or reach out to Ceramic Grill Store. 

Google “big green egg getting started video” and you are on your way. 

Your birthday / Father’s Day / etc wish list will include items to do indirect cooking (plate setter / cast iron maybe), various racks for ribs and wings, pizza stones, etc.  you will be easy to buy for for a few years. 

dmchicago

Are there any eggers in the Daytona Beach area that can pay this gentleman a visit and help him?

caliking

1. Welcome aboard!! Don't mind the tomfoolery that the inmates indulge in. Most of them mean well

2. In BGE jargon, the bottom iron plate is the grate, which covers the smaller opening at the bottom of the firebox (the bowl that holds most of the lump charcoal). The grid sits on top of the fire ring, and that's what you cook on. Both are called grates in Weber parlance, IIRC. 

3. I know its been some years since you won your egg, but you have nothing to lose by getting in touch with the mothership, and letting them know about the parts you're missing - warranty@biggreenegg.com. I emailed them recently, and got a very helpful response in less than 2 hrs. 

4. Besides the parts you're missing, your most important accessory right now is a six-pack, or some other measure of your favorite beverage. Light up some lump, set the bottom and top vents open a smidge, and see where the temp ends up. Then, replenish beverage, open the vents up a tad more, and see what happens. Rinse and repeat, until you can't stand up to refill your beverage. 

5. Other beginner accessories might include a good food thermometer (Thermapen and Javelin both have good options. Lavatools might still have their EGGHEAD discount code active, which is good for 15% off. 

DanielTylerFL

Thanks again all for your suggestions and comments, I really do appreciate it.  I’m getting into emailing and communicating with BGE and the ceramic grill store.  

dbCooper

Do you have the dome thermometer?  If not, I suggest adding that to your list.

RyanStl

I don't think anyone mentioned. You also need an ash pan. You already have the scoop.

caliking

@DanielTylerFL - I just found an LBGE grate in the garage. Its yours if you want it. Just PM your address. 

nolaegghead

RyanStl said:

I don't think anyone mentioned. You also need an ash pan. You already have the scoop.

I don't have an ash pan...I just use garbage bags.  My rule is never scoop out fire.

cookingdude555

how big is your weber kettle?  if its the 18", the cooking grid will work fine in the egg.  The charcoal grate in an 18" kettle is 14" (hence why every weber uses a charcoal grate that is the same size as the cooking grid on the kettle just smaller), so in a pinch that could be used too.  Its bigger than what comes stock but could work until new hardware is obtained.

loco_engr

don't ever use charcoal starter fluid!

Buckwoody Egger

thermometer!  Great eye, db. If you zoom in on the pic, the dome appears to be in the hinge exactly backwards (180 degrees) and you can see the thermometer hole. 

https://shop.sweetwaterbrew.com/products/big-green-egg-tie-dye-thermometer

DanielTylerFL

caliking said:

@DanielTylerFL - I just found an LBGE grate in the garage. Its yours if you want it. Just PM your address.

I don’t mind at all paying for it.  Let me know what I owe you.  I’ll send a pm here shortly!

PeteSliver

Lots of great advice!!!  I’m pretty new to the egg game too, but I’ve learned you really have to sauce your wings or the pics just don’t turn out.

lkapigian

DanielTylerFL said:

I guess getting more specific, I have no cooking surface.  I prefer cast iron if it’s available.  What are my best options?  From my little research, opening the top with a fire going will constantly keep the fire at its hottest and only adjustment will be at the bottom.  I’m sorry if any of these questions are basic, I’m just trying to get a grapple on what is a necessity early on and will help me vs. what I can wait on.  I’m just looking to do basic stuff at the moment till I get a grip on all of this.  Thanks!

You are going to love that Charcoal Bag Opener 

caliking

DanielTylerFL said:

caliking said:

@DanielTylerFL - I just found an LBGE grate in the garage. Its yours if you want it. Just PM your address.

I don’t mind at all paying for it.  Let me know what I owe you.  I’ll send a pm here shortly!

No worries. Just pay it forward sometime. Many folks here have done the same for me, and others.

Langner91

I didn't realize they had the new style bands in 2017.  My 2016 came with old style bands.  My 2020 had new.