Platesetter vs round stone

EzraBrooks

When I bought my first egg (L) I didn't know that there were any other options so I got the platesetter.  Later on I added a PS Woo from CGS and I couldn't live without it.  Now I'm planning on a 2nd egg (XL) and I know I will need a woo.  My question is should I just go with a round stone from CGS as well or get the platesetter again?  It would save some money if I do the stone but it doesn't look as thick or as big around as the platesetter so I'm wondering if there would be a change in performance.  I'm getting the XL to have more room for briskets, butts, and ribs so I expect it to be a low and slow workhorse.  Anyone just use a stone?  

hoosier_egger

I have platesetters for most of my eggs but I also have CGS stuff and the woo/AR combo for the XL is the tits. 

I use it 95% of the time. I prefer the 1/2 stones for more adaptability 

WeberWho

Spider, stone, and drip pan works wonders. 

Srpete01

The woo stone is almost as thick as the plate setter. For my XL, I went with the dual stone in case I ever wanted hotter and cooler areas (such as roasting chicken).

the half stones can be pushed together and cooked on top of. I usually just foil them together when I do ribs or pork. But that said, if you are just doing low and slow, the utility of the half plates might not help you and the full stone could be more helpful.

dstearn

I have a full stone and 2 half stones with the Woo2 on my XL. Most of the time for low and slow I use the full stone.Works as good as my original plate setter did before one of the legs cracked off.

Slkegger

Be aware the new xl fire ring has no notch and is flat so the new almost 4 inch expander will sit at felt line. This sets the 2.5 inch high woo way down and puts the round stone/woo in the fire ring half way so you can't add lump much past the firebox. I posted before asking if CGS was going to make a new woo for this but only got directions for measuring if the woo/ar would fit. I have the CGS stuff for my medium but I bought the expander for the xl when I wanted CGS stuff but didn't think it would work.

PS. The expander with 2x20.5 inch bge xl half stones work great up to 350F. They are also thinner than the conveggtor making the setup a little lighter and heats up faster.

If I was to start over I would just get the AR combo with slides and skip the woo.

EzraBrooks

Slkegger said:

Be aware the new xl fire ring has no notch and is flat so the new almost 4 inch expander will sit at felt line. This sets the 2.5 inch high woo way down and puts the round stone/woo in the fire ring half way so you can't add lump much past the firebox. I posted before asking if CGS was going to make a new woo for this but only got directions for measuring if the woo/ar would fit. I have the CGS stuff for my medium but I bought the expander for the xl when I wanted CGS stuff but didn't think it would work.

PS. The expander with 2x20.5 inch bge xl half stones work great up to 350F. They are also thinner than the conveggtor making the setup a little lighter and heats up faster.

If I was to start over I would just get the AR combo with slides and skip the woo.

Thanks for that info.  Just curious does the platesetter raise the grid almost to the felt line with this new design?

DavidCrumpton

Looks like 
Looks like it’s lower

EzraBrooks

I guess I am confused as @Slkegger said there are no notches in the fire ring but in @DavidCrumpton's image the platesetter is clearly in notches.  Maybe I just need to go back to a dealer and figure it out.

DavidCrumpton

I pulled that right off BGE. Might be a generic marketing photo. 

This one off Google images. No notches  

DavidCrumpton

This one is off the XL demo video. 

The notches look shallow and not as deep as the other models. 

Slkegger

Maybe I got an old fire ring? Dealer had no xl egg stock and had to wait for it so I assumed it was new and almost all floor models I see mow don't have notches

This is off the bge site 
https://biggreenegg.com/product/big-green-egg-fire-ring/

Mine looks like this but with only two cutouts on the bottom

Slkegger

EzraBrooks said:

Slkegger said:

Be aware the new xl fire ring has no notch and is flat so the new almost 4 inch expander will sit at felt line. This sets the 2.5 inch high woo way down and puts the round stone/woo in the fire ring half way so you can't add lump much past the firebox. I posted before asking if CGS was going to make a new woo for this but only got directions for measuring if the woo/ar would fit. I have the CGS stuff for my medium but I bought the expander for the xl when I wanted CGS stuff but didn't think it would work.

PS. The expander with 2x20.5 inch bge xl half stones work great up to 350F. They are also thinner than the conveggtor making the setup a little lighter and heats up faster.

If I was to start over I would just get the AR combo with slides and skip the woo.

Thanks for that info.  Just curious does the platesetter raise the grid almost to the felt line with this new design?

No. Opposite. The platesetter legs are the same as woo. That puts the grid an inch or more below felt line with legs up. Just did a brisket  and finishing some potatoes so I will take a pick with the eggspander in.

If you look at xl eggspander pics online they show the grid almost one inch above the felt. My platesetter legs don't make it to the felt line even in the eggspander. Not complaining. Lots of room. I can put porkbuts on top rack and still not hit the thermometer.

4TheGrillOfIt

There are no notches on the new XL.  I have a large with the CGS PsWoo and Platesetter and love that set up.  The closest thing to that in the XL is the BGE Eggspander so I went with that.  However, I added the two half stones instead of the XL platesetter for versatility as stated above.  It is a great setup and I preferred it over the CGS adjustable rig.