lid clearance XL vs L vs M

glousteau

Hi, I'm considering a XL or L or M egg. I've heard the XL has a shorter height (when the lid is closed) vs the L which is taller inside. Same for the M

I can't think of anything that tall that I'd want to cook (turkey maybe) that this would be an issue, but I'm curious as to your thoughts on this topic.

thx

fishlessman

i like the extra depth of the large over the extra grill space of the xl, infact i would like one even deeper. you can stack things easily in the large and increase distance over the fire for easier direct cooking to help avoid flair ups. but you need to pick the one thats suited best for your needs, one thing to know is that most of us end up with a couple so make that part of your eventual plans

http://www.eggheadforum.com/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&func=view&id=491362&catid=1

check out the chicken wing link to get a better understanding of what the height can do for you

jeffinsgf

I have no experience with the XL other than taking a close look at it on the showroom floor. I have both a L and an M. I've had my M for 10 years and my L for 4 months. The L definitely has more head room, which is nice for things where you want to raise the grid away from the fire. On the other hand, the firebox shape of the medium makes it much more efficient for anything other than a very long low and slow (and it can do those, too, just not quite as well as the L). The M is better at steaks, chops and chicken. The L is better with butts, turkey, brisket and pizza. When I first got my L home, I had some buyer's remorse...what was I doing with it that I couldn't do on my M? But now, I have a hard time deciding which I like best. The obvious answer for you is to get one of each. :woohoo:

When you think about it, looking at the cost of the XL, that's not so much of a joke. I'd rather have the option of doing two dissimilar cooks at the same time than that monstrous cooking surface.

gdenby

Perhaps someone with both an XL and L will comment. However, last time I was at the dealer, it seemed to me that the L was as tall as the XL, but the XL was much bigger around. So, proportionately, the L and M have a dome as high as their diameter, but the XL only has a dome that is a portion of its diameter.

One thing that the L has going for it is the large number of accessories, both BGE and 3rd party. And it leaves you some money to buy another Egg down the road.

Fire Walker

I own an XL and love it. I've cooked on the large and loved it. I have never had an issue with XL dome height except the big argument I had with a fellow forum member over dome height, you will notice that there is a fairly large bias favoring the Large, most of the aligations against the XL are from people that do not own the XL. Both the large and the XL are very versatile. The XL's internal parts + a couple fire brick halves, Fire-ring, platesetter and the grate can be moved around to make more or less dome room. I went for the increased grill space and glade I did. I've cooked everything from a 22lb. turkey to a loaf of bread with no complaints.
FireWalker