Evaluate the Big Green Egg

Unknown

Does everyone recommend one of these Eggs? I'm in the market, but when I read about the firebox cracking, the lids not fitting right or opening all the way, and replacement thermometers (at my cost). I'm getting scared.[p]I want to BBQ good food. I don't want to spend my time making fixes or workarounds to my grill. [p]I would like an honest assessment. I'm not retired, and my wife and I both work. I want something that works out of the box and is fairly simple to operate. [p]Your opinions please..

KennyG

JohnBBQVisitor,[p]I would recommend more than one of these. I have the entire set and I'm only one of many many multiple Egg owners.[p]Those of us who have been around for a while are occasionally amused when the cracked firebox topic comes up from time to time. The bottom line never changes. If you'd like a replacement, you can get one. We suggest that you just keep on cooking since a cracked box has no effect whatsoever on performance. My large Egg with firebox cracks is now over 6 years old. I have a virgin replacement firebox in the basement just in case the original ever becomes unserviceable. I wonder if I will ever need to use it.[p]The original band and hinge design used on all sizes of Eggs left a lot to be desired. The current spring loaded design is a wonderful improvement. BGE admitted some problems with the first production run of the replacement bands causing lid and seal missalignment. This has been fixed.[p]I don't understand your issue with thermometers. The BGE unit is good quality and very accurate. Just check the calibration from time to time. Most of us have also invested in internal temp and instant read units just as a cooking convenience.[p]Just trying to set your mind at ease. Check the link below for responses from many happy Eggers the last time someone came here looking for an opinion.[p]K~G

Unknown

JohnBBQVisitor,
Get an egg. It is that simple. My egg is 4 years old, i cook on it all the time, and my box has not cracked, and if it does, i will get it replaced by the great costomer service dept. at BGE. World class cooker.
Seth

KennyG

KennyG,[p]Lets try again. This thread "in search of a great smoker" is just from a couple of days ago.[p]
[ul][li]the Eggheads speak[/ul]

Sundown

JohnBBQVisitor,[p]There are thousands of Egg out there. Not that many of them have problems from my view. I've had my Egg for 4 years now and , yes, I had a cracked firebox. Went to my local dealer next town over and he took a firebox out of a floor model and handed it to me - no charge - Mr. Egg worked just fine with a cracked fire box for almost 5 months when I finally replaced it. What you don't hear about is the lack of problems. When there is one it's usually taken care of right away.
If I were to do it all over again, my investment wouldn't have been any different just sooner.
My only advice is to find a local dealer and buy from him.

JSlot

JohnBBQVisitor,[p]My standard response:[p]Buying a BGE was hands down the best money I ever spent. I've had my BGE for 6+ years. In fact, getting a BGE affected my life in some ways that I never even considered. I mean, hey, it's just a cooker, right? WRONG! Cooking on the BGE has not only made me look like a pro, but it has made friends, family, and complete strangers extremely happy on too many occasions to list here. Oh, and speaking of friends, I have met some of the finest folks I know by conversing here on the forum and attending numerous Egg functions. I guess what I'm trying to say is that not only will the Egg do everything you have read it can do, but it also brings people together! Can't have a much better testimony than that for any product, IMHO. E-mail me if you have particular questions.[p]Best Regards,
Jim[p]PS Cracked fireboxes are pretty much a non-issue since 99% of the time they are still usable and covered under warranty anyway. Mine has been cracked for over 2 years and it's still going strong. I have a new one (provided under warranty) on standby just in case. BGE customer service is first class all the way.[p]

Wise One

JSlot, I think you about summed up my feelings as well. All the meat sacrifices I made on my old gas grill have finally paid off. With the BGE, the BBQ gods have been kind to me. However, they don't get any sacrifices any more.

YB

KennyG,
Well said Kenny....BGE,MAPP gas and a Thermapen and you will be a happy camper.
Larry

Hammer

JohnBBQVisitor,
There isn't anything I could add to what has already been written, except that I wish that I had not waited as long as I did to purchase a BGE. I think of all the years I procrastinated before I made the plunge.
Come on in, the waters fine!
Hammer[p]

WooDoggies

JohnBBQVisitor,[p]I brought my large egg home in 1999, put it together in about an hour and cooked steaks on it that evening.
It sits outside year round with no cover and laughs at the elements. [p]Everything down to the gasket is original and has never needed replacing. Last month I finally installed the new spring hinge ....... mainly out of guilt as it had been sitting in the garage for a year and there was nothing wrong with the older style auto-lock hinge.
The dome seats perfectly with the spring hinge.[p]The firebox cracked 2 years ago. I didn't jump for joy when I found the crack but it hasn't spread and it hasn't effected the performance of the egg. It's under warranty if ever I want to replace it.[p]I do little maintenance on my egg..... I will calibrate the dome therm about twice a year, WD40 the hinge once a year and check the bolts for tightness. For the first time in those 4 years, I removed the firebox and ring to clean and found surprisingly little ash in the bottom of the shell.[p]If you decide to get one, make sure your dealer provides the new dome thermometer...... it will be as accurate as you need for all of your cooks.[p]If you have any more questions ask away, this place is a great resource......... and good luck![p]John[p]

Chef Wil

JohnBBQVisitor,
I'll make this response simple, in the past 12 years I have tried numerous gassers and charcoal pits, my only regret is I should of applied all the money I spent on them and bought 2 eggs, my last gasser, all stainless is absolutely the worst thing I ever bought, cooks ok but really hard to keep clean, so I keep the bottom part of the SS cabinet to store my lump and BGE tools.
Sincerely yours, Chef Wil

Shelby

JohnBBQVisitor,
Like everyone else, I agree the problems are minimal and certainly not enough to keep from buying one. I've had mine 2+ years and just recently added a small one. Yes, the firebox cracks but it works as well cracked as not. The thermometers now are well sealed and shouldn't be a problem.
I think the best advice you've gotten and I'll repeat it is to buy from a good, local dealer. Give him the business; he'll appreciate it and will take care of any problems you might encounter. When I bought mine, the closest dealer was 70 miles away. Now, there's one 2 miles away. But if I have a problem, I go the extra distance. He knows me and takes care of me.

Unknown

JohnBBQVisitor,We've gassed for over 30 years.We've charcoaled for longer. I have a variety of grills from a cast iron lodge to an offset on a trailer. The EGG is different and amazing.Ive just started using one,so I'm still a rookie egger,but after the third cooking my wife told me to sell the gas grill.

Bordello

KennyG,
He may have read about the ones that had the plastic lens, I went through 2 in the first year, they got so loose you could just spin the dial by hand to any temp. No way it could hold calibration. That being said, I have not had any problems with the new ones. [p]New Bob

Bordello

JohnBBQVisitor,
I have 3 eggs, one has a cracked firebox (3 pieces) I have a replacement in the garage and am still cooking with the broken one. I am very happy with my family of eggs, a little maintence now and then but you will have that with anything you buy. Get one and come to the forum for any help you need.[p]Regards,
New Bob

Unknown

JohnBBQVisitor,[p]Why not consider a Weber Smokey Mountain (WSM) smoker? Dead easy to operate, no cracks, hinges, etc., and is lots cheaper than an Egg?

Zip

JohnBBQVisitor,[p]You have a gracious plenty of good info below and don't let the cracked fireboxes scare you off. I can echo the comments that a cracked firebox in most cases will not render the Egg unusable. It is true you have a warranty, but the out of pocket cost can be 25 bucks or more if you have to get one shipped direct from Atlanta. This fee is said to cover only the shipping and packing cost incured to send you the new part. You can actually call the HQ in Atlanta to see what the actual cost would be if you like. Considering this, a good dealer that will be there for you is something I have yet to find. Before making the purchase ask your dealer what is their policy on replacing warranty parts for the cooker. Bottom line is to ask if you need a part like a firebox, do they get the part at no charge for you or refer HQ in Atlanta. This is not meant to be critical of the company, but it is nice to know how the warranty works before you actually need it if you ever do.[p]There are good dealers out there as reported by many on this forum. It is just a shame the good ones that I have dealt with are just too far for me to drive. You may want to post what city or area you are in and others may be able to direct you to a good one. If you are in SE Georgia, Eldridge Hardware in Waycross is one of the very best.[p]As far as the thermometers go, there has been some problems with them over the years. It appears they have it figured out and provide a pretty good one now. There are other outlets to purchase a thermometer, so you don't have to buy the BGE one. [p]As far as what you can do with a ceramic cooker, it is pretty neat. They are very versitle cookers and the biggest limitation is it's size. With that said, there are many folks that post here that can offer resolutions to those problems as they arise.[p]I hope this helps and good luck in you quest.[p]Ashley [p][p]

MickeyT

<p />JohnBBQVisitor,[p]
I will echo everyone's thoughts and just add the clincher with this little picture.[p]Make the leap.[p]Oh, by the way. I have three eggs. all have cracked boxes. :>)[p]Mick

maddaug

JohnBBQVisitor,
We made the plunge 2 months ago and wish we would have bought one years ago. It is a large amount of hard earned
money to plunk down. My husband has always cooked on the grill but now I like to grill as much as he does. The food is wonderful. Ours came assembled to use that as tool for bargaining when buying. If you are by Springfield Missouri they will be having as Eggfest this summer will be offering great prices on the eggs that will be used for grilling. I hope to pass this egg to our kids someday. At the moment they think we've lost it. Too much egg talk. But they sure like the food.......

Chef Amy

JohnBBQVisitor,
I've tried other smokers and none can keep a temperature as steady as the egg. That appeals to my lazy cook side - get it to temp, throw the food on and walk away. I wish I had found this years ago. If you aren't convinced by these testimonials, would you like to buy my Weber gasser? I no longer use it.......

Dawgtired

JohnBBQVisitor,
Don't let this stuff scare you. I'd been a Weber user for 20+ years and I honestly thought I had tapped into the bbq set. NOT!!!!!! It's like night and day. Go for it!