Question o Things to add to BGE, Guru, Fire Screen

Kyle

I try to add to my BGE needs occasionally and would appreciate comments on a Guru (How it works, cost, do you like it?, etc)Where to get one.[p]A fire screen seems like a good idea. Does BGE make one and where to get it? Cost?[p]Any thoughts will be appreciated.[p]Kyle

SuperDave

Kyle,
BBQGURU.COM.. don't have one myself yet, but I hear they simplify overnight cooks greatly, screen comes from BGE about $10, cast iron grates are available from BGE for around 50.00 delivered, raised grids are nice to have....[p]That's gonna blow you allowance for a couple of weeks![p]Enjoy!

randomegger

Kyle,[p]I own neither a Guru or a screen. I did pick up a nifty bottle opener for my egg table that has proved to be indispensable.[p]My list of required stuff that did not come with my original egg set up:[p]Plate setter
Raised grid
Digital thermometer[p]That's really about it.[p]RE

Eggtuary

Kyle,
What I always forget is that you need to add the word "the" for the BBQ Guru's website (www.thebbqguru.com). If you get a Guru, get the 10 CFM fan, which is only about $7 more than the little 4 CFM fan. Also get the longer probe wires. For a complete Competitor package including the adaptor specifically for the Big Green Egg, you're talking about $220. I think the new website makes it a little easier to figure out everything you need than the old one did.[p]I got my Guru for Christmas, and it helps me sleep better during the low and slow cooks. Before, I would get up about every 3 hours to check temps. But I'm not very good at getting back to sleep, so this purchase was very helpful to me. I'm not as confident in my fire-building abilities as some folks here who set a temp at night and then get 8 solid hours of sleep before checking![p]There's also a wireless version of the Guru, but that's really expensive (over $600).[p]What accessories do you already have? I like having a plate setter and pizza stone, so I can do baking and other indirect cooking. The Thermapen is not a BGE item, but a lot of us have them and use them frequently. They're pricey (over $60), but well worth it. Perhaps mShark (a wonderful individual who posts here pretty often) will put together another order sometime soon to save some of the newbies a little on the price.[p]I used to have an electric starter, but I destroyed two of them by leaving them in the fire too long. I now just use the Weber starter cubes from Home Depot. One of those wind proof lighters is handy. Some folks start their fires a little quicker with propane or MAPP gas, but that's too many sparks for my tastes.[p]There's lots more stuff to buy, but I think I've mentioned enough stuff to get you a good start. You might want to cook without a Guru for a few months, even if you plan to buy one eventually. That way you get a feel for how to regulate temps in the Egg, and how the fire spreads around over time in your Egg.

Big Red

Kyle,
This may sound a little whacked but, get a blow dryer if you have an electrical outlet near your BGE. I have one that I stick in the bottom air draft if I am in a hurry to light - as fast or more than a MAP torch. Field test one with an extension cord if you don't believe me...[p]Big red