Charcoal and Burn Time Comparison? Large/Medium

Corv

Looks like I need to decide between a large or a medium. Can anyone compare the amount of charcoal they hold and the burn time at a given temperature? The BGE website has plenty of info about the food capacity and I had the medium for around 15 years, so I'm familiar with that.

Thanks!

RRP

There are a lot of variables at play, unless someone did a side by side test. 

Gulfcoastguy

I have had both. The medium is more efficient at using charcoal but it is probably the hardest to find accessories for. It also limits you on large cooks like turkeys. I have cooked a boatload of good food on the medium and sometimes I miss it. 

stlcharcoal

The burn time is going to be similar for either.  While a Large holds more charcoal than a medium, it has more cubic space to heat and surface area to lose heat.

You can easily get 18 hrs out of either at 225F.  But there are a million variables like outside air temp (and wind / precip), size of meat, water pans, BTU/# of charcoal (carbonization), etc.

I would suggest the Large as you have more space, and most of the BGE and aftermarket accessories are made for that size.  The Medium is probably the least popular size after the Small, so there's not always as many accessories.

The medium is ok if you're only cooking for a few, but you start running out of space if you want to do multiple pork butts, ribs, or if you want to grill 4+ burgers, chicken breasts, etc.   Remember the grilling diameter is 2-3" shorter than the grid diameter because of the fire ring.  Also, the dome is a dome--so you can't cram something tall right up to the edge.  It's tight, but I can grill for 5-6 people on the Large, and do 2 (maybe 3) pork butts, a spatchcocked turkey, etc.  I rarely use my XL unless I'm having a party.

If I did it again, I would have three Larges lined up.  They all cook the same and they all share accessories.

Corv

I should have mentioned that I have a Mini for small cooks, if that matters.

GrateEggspectations

I’ve owned the Large (x2), Medium (x2) and MiniMax (x2). The Medium is the best performer of the bunch, but if you’ve already got a Mini and are looking to pick between Med and Large, I’d go Large. Just more versatile when you want to use pans, Dutch ovens, make pizza, etc., and as others have mentioned, much easier to find accessories for it relative to the Med. 

Corv

Thanks, friends. I decided to go with the large.

I plan to get a Joetissorie for it, among other accessories. Can anyone recommend a basket that works well with it?

Thanks!

GrateEggspectations

@Corv

Congrats on the acquisition. Be sure to post some cooks!

Corv

I'll try to be better at that than I've been so far.

Elijah

Napoleon 64000 Rotisserie Basket Grill Accessory should get you in the ballpark. I'm sure I found it through this forum. I'm not sure if that's the exact model I have for my large. 

td66snrf

I have an XL, L, M, Small and a Mini. Go for the large. Almost all of the accessories are aimed at the large. If I could only have one it would definitely be a large. You will not notice a difference in charcoal usage. You will notice the difference if you attempt a turkey or multiple racks of ribs. My 2 cnts. 

Corv

And.... the Large has it. The CUNA cart is in and assembled. Several accessories, including something unavailable for the Medium, are being shipped. The egg itself is tomorrow or later in the week.