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Five Piece Expander

Pleae review the system
Love to read your opinion 
What accessories do you suggest
Thank yu - Mr Toad
See no Evil - Hear no Evil - Speak no Evil
                    Smoke no Evil

BGE - Mini, Small, Medium, Large

Comments

  • Langner91
    Langner91 Posts: 2,120
    I bought it with my last Egg. 

    Pros: 
    • I like the ease of taking the plate setter in and out.  With the new hinge design on the large, it is harder to get the hot plate setter out using a claw or similar device.  So, the bottom portion of the expander is easy to remove it when hot.
    • I like flipping the raised grid over, and cooking "upside down" near the coals for fast, hot cooks.  You may want the 13" MiniMax cast iron grid or "grill grates" to sear steaks this way.
    • I like being able to put a half stone (not included) on the bottom, and having half direct, half indirect for certain cooks.
    • Well made, typical BGE quality and attention to detail.
    • The ConvEGGtor basket, when used without the platesetter, gets your grid right to the felt-line for raised direct cooking.  This is my go-to setup for brats and chicken.  Previously, I used a number of home-made solutions (fire bricks, beer cans, etc.) to get the grid raised.  This set up is very nicely done.
    Cons:
    • The two half grids included are not very useful, in my opinion.  I have yet to find a good use for them.  I would rather it were a 3-piece set, and let me pick my desired stones, pans, grids, and other items.
    • The system is a knock-off of the CGS system.  That makes me feel badly for them.
    • It takes a good bit of room to store.  

    Overall, I am pleased with it.  I would give it four stars.  It makes it easier than buying from CGS.  Your mileage may vary.
    Clinton, Iowa
  • Just got the XL version.   It’s an excellent addition and solidly built,   I also added to the two half stones and the cast iron griddle insert.  I do highly recommend it.    Not sure what size Egg you have, but you may want to consider CGS gear as well.  I use their gear for my small and large.  I just wasn’t interested their AR, 

    First cook:


    XL BGE, Large BGE, Small BGE, Weber Summit NG                                                                                               
    Memphis  
  • mpenacho
    mpenacho Posts: 25

    • The system is a knock-off of the CGS system.  That makes me feel badly for them.
    That statement is pretty key. CGS has a good comparison video on their website with their PS Woo. After a lot of thought though, I went with the CGS adjustable rig for my large. I can’t say enough good things about it. On the XL, I have both a rig, and a woo. The XL dome geometry is different, and I rarely cook without the woo in the XL.

    The CGS video also makes a good point about not raising a cast iron grid.

    It really depends on how you view your grilling. If you want to fine tune your setup for every cook, then the CGS stuff is the way to go. If you are looking for a one and done solution, the BGE has some merit. The food will taste great either way.

    Most people here enjoy the process at least as much as the food, and having the extra flexibility of the CGS stuff is more options to play with.
    LBGE, XLBGE
  • xfire_ATX
    xfire_ATX Posts: 1,139
    I have the PS Woo for my large.  I always use it, usually with a half ceramic on one side for direct/ indirect.

    I also have their "oval" stone when I am doing full indirect.  I found using the two half stones really cuts down airflow.
    XLBGE, LBGECharbroil Gas Grill, Weber Q2000, Old Weber Kettle, Rectec RT-B380, Yeti 65, Yeti Hopper 20, RTIC 20, RTIC 20 Soft Side - Too many drinkware vessels to mention.

    Not quite in Austin, TX City Limits
    Just Vote- What if you could choose "none of the above" on an election ballot? Millions of Americans do just that, in effect, by not voting.  The result in 2016: "Nobody" won more counties, more states, and more electoral votes than either candidate for president. 
  • MasterC
    MasterC Posts: 1,447
    I use the eggspander or part of it almost every cook. When I purchased a lg for the camper, my second eggspander was added. 

    As the name implies it creates more space 


    Will elevate your grate to. Felt level 


    Can lower grate down to fire box


    raise to the dome and still have a couple levels between 

    Just one of the multi configurations, potatoes roasting, chicken legs indirect; half stone underneath and asparagus direct on perforated pan. 

    I just enjoy cooking and eating and have fun while doing it and the eggspander has only added to the experience.



    Fort Wayne Indiana 
  • mr toad
    mr toad Posts: 782
    ""MASTERC"" - tWO qUESTIONS

    1) What is the maxium number of baby back ribs can I smoke on the "expander" at one time?

    2) Is it possible to do two spatchchok chikens at once on the expander?

    Thank you,
    See no Evil - Hear no Evil - Speak no Evil
                        Smoke no Evil

    BGE - Mini, Small, Medium, Large
  • MasterC
    MasterC Posts: 1,447
    mr toad said:
    ""MASTERC"" - tWO qUESTIONS

    1) What is the maxium number of baby back ribs can I smoke on the "expander" at one time?

    2) Is it possible to do two spatchchok chikens at once on the expander?

    Thank you,
    I'm not sure on the ribs, never stuffed it yet.  But I have had three spatched chickens and six baked potatoes on at once.

    I'll have to get back to you on the ribs question.
    Fort Wayne Indiana 
  • mr toad
    mr toad Posts: 782
    MASTERC = if you have photos of the three spatchcock chickens - please share
    thank you
    See no Evil - Hear no Evil - Speak no Evil
                        Smoke no Evil

    BGE - Mini, Small, Medium, Large
  • MasterC
    MasterC Posts: 1,447
    Sorry I don't but I do have a picture of 2 cook without the eggspander 

    Maybe without bakers you could stuff 4 chickens
    Fort Wayne Indiana