Welcome to the EGGhead Forum - a great place to visit and packed with tips and EGGspert advice! You can also join the conversation and get more information and amazing kamado recipes by following Big Green Egg to Experience our World of Flavor™ at:
Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest  |  Youtube  |  Vimeo
Share your photos by tagging us and using the hashtag #BigGreenEgg.

Want to see how the EGG is made? Click to Watch

Opinions on "eggtras" for my first BGE

tazcrash
tazcrash Posts: 1,852
edited March 2012 in EggHead Forum

Hey all,

           Sorry I couldn't help myself. OK, I've dreamed, and scrimped, and saved, and in the next couple weeks, I will be
finally purchasing my large BGE!!!!!!! 

First a little background: in the past I
have used wood chips/chunks with Gas, and done some smoking on a cheap vertical water
smoker with a few homemade modifications to help control the temp (those all
night pork shoulders with a cheap smoker are murder!)  

As far as equipment, I have a couple instant
read thermometers, and remote ones as well (but I do like the 2 temp probe of
the maverick 732, and will probably invest in it) welders
gloves, vertical chicken, and rib racks, etc…..

Now, I was planning on getting the large BGE with
the nest, tables, plate setter, and possibly the 3 level cooking grid to grill some veggies
with the meat.

However since I started lurking, I've come
across a few items that looks really got my attention, and I was hoping to get
some real world experience.

Specifically the CI swing rack from ceramic grillworks
(which I beleive I would still need the plate setter for smoking), and or the
ceramic grill store’s Woo3 with extender, or the Large adjustable rig with oval
stone (which mean I wouldn’t have to get a plate setter or the 3 level cooking
grid).

So if I can put it out there, any of you
experienced BGE people had to do it all over again, what would you buy with
your egg, and why?

Thanks 

Bx - > NJ ->TX!!! 
All to get cheaper brisket! 

Comments

  • Mickey
    Mickey Posts: 19,782
    edited March 2012
    Ceramic grill store, have bought lots and never a problem. All is first rate. Be sure and get a spider. I like the adj rigs over the woos.
    Salado TX & 30A  FL: Egg Family: 3 Large and a very well used Mini, added a Mini Max when they came out (I'm good for now). Just given another Mini to add to the herd. 

  • EZEGG
    EZEGG Posts: 49
    What I use most:  Adjustable rig, half grid, spider, pizza stone and wok.  All from C.G.S.  A rib rack is about the only other thing besides my stoker that I use regularly.  A pit controller of some sort makes long cooks nice and easy and is worth every penny in my opinion.

    Long insulated gloves and thermapen are a must.  ;)

    That is what I would buy over knowing what I know now...  
    Eric O. RMBBQA Member Blog - http://smokeontherockies.com/ Large Big Green Egg
  • Mickey
    Mickey Posts: 19,782
    The thermapen should be your first buy.
    Salado TX & 30A  FL: Egg Family: 3 Large and a very well used Mini, added a Mini Max when they came out (I'm good for now). Just given another Mini to add to the herd. 

  • Janssen14
    Janssen14 Posts: 50
    I wouldnt get a nest and put the money towards building a nice table
  • tazcrash
    tazcrash Posts: 1,852
    OK gents, Thermapen over the cheap instant reads I already have (I can't wait to explain this one to the Mrs.  
    =((  ).
     
    Stokers are out for now (but very high on the wish list), and I have the gloves. 

    @Mickey,  you mention the spider, and I'm assuming with the stone, what makes that better than the platesetter, or the other ceramic plate options with the AR or Woo 3? 





    Bx - > NJ ->TX!!! 
    All to get cheaper brisket! 
  • Thermapen, maverick 732 & a set up for indirect cooking = a plate setter or CGS rig with a pizza stone
  • lousubcap
    lousubcap Posts: 37,785

    Whatever you do, do not buy the BGE 3 tier rack-the center pole makes it quite awkward to use. Not worth it for me.  For a quick raised grid, get 3 fire bricks and another (Weber will work) grid. 

    Get comfortable with low&slow temperature control before even considering a Stoker-and with the Maverick you can easily survive without it.  Just my opinion and we all know what those are worth-welcome and enjoy.

    Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period. CHEETO (aka Agent Orange) makes Nixon look like a saint.  
  • Mickey
    Mickey Posts: 19,782
    I wouldnt get a nest and put the money towards building a nice table
    The other side is don't buy/build a table and use the nest (and get handlers for them) so you can move around.
    Salado TX & 30A  FL: Egg Family: 3 Large and a very well used Mini, added a Mini Max when they came out (I'm good for now). Just given another Mini to add to the herd.