Hi everyone this is only my second post and just became an Egghead on Sunday for fathers day. Love it already but I have to admit that spending a thousand dollars on a BBG grill was a little daunting. Now on to more important things! Looking at all of the BGE and other aftermarket accessories can be a little overwhelming (and cost another $1000) so how would you rate your most useful/can't miss items for your BGE? Top 5 you would get in order? Thanks I already love this forum and have spent the last couple of days reading everything I can.
Rick
Comments
Welcome and you are right that you can toss lots of post initial purchase $$ at the after-market toys. To get the maximum functionality from your BGE the first thing I would get is a way to do indirect cooks-you can get a second grate and a few fire bricks to create a diffuser. Raised grid direct-same deal except use the bricks to support the upper grate. (Note empty beer cans are good for raising the grid as well.)
A good instant read thermo is the way to go for the hot&fast cooks. For low&slows-you need something to check the temps as you approach the finish temp. A cheap (but calibrated) bimetalic will work. for starters.
Cook on the BGE for a while and then sort out what you think you may need-big difference between "want" and need". But the journey is what makes it great-and you need a cooler with lots of beer for the low&slows:)
I like my Adjustable Rig with the 13x17 grate and stone. If you are going with the Ajustable rig, not not get the platesetter, as they are not compatible.
I think you can get the rig, and stone for like $150. Those are the only accessories i have needed. (already had a meat thermometer)
Thermapen or Maverick (both)
Cast iron grate (steaks)
Extended grid
Pizza stone
1. Number one thing you need is a way to cook indirect. Whether you go with a place setter or an adjustable rig and a stone is up to you. (I have a placestter)
2. Some type of thermometer. Maverick ET -732 for a remote, Thermapen to check directly (I have both but hardly use my Maverick now that I have a pit controller)
3. A way to raise your grate. I have the BGE Grate Extender (do not recommend). Other options are Adjustable Rig or Woo or make your own with an extra grate and some nuts and bolts.
4. Pizza stone
5. Wok (and spider to hold it)
Rowlett, Texas
Griffin's Grub or you can find me on Facebook
The Supreme Potentate, Sovereign Commander and Sultan of Wings
2) Cast iron grate
3) Quality digital thermometers (instant and remote)
4) MAPpro torch for lighting lump
5) A cheap deep dish pizza pan. Cover in foil and use as a drip pan on top of your plate setter - easy clean up.
Nibble Me This
I would do the following....
Plate Setter
BBQ Guru Party Q temp controller... will see in six months if it ranks this high
Digital temp probe
Maverick 732 remote temp probe
Might consider the Ceramic Grill store adjustable grate setup in the near future.
Good luck on the future cooks on the BGE...
BGE Large... Go get 'em! "Cant means you haven't tried."
Tulsa, OK
XL, Mini Max, and a 22" Blackstone in Cincinnati, Ohio
1) Plate Setter-Allows heat to radiate within the dome while preventing the flame and direct heat from the fire from reaching you food refered ti as inderict cooking- Appx; $65
2) Cast Iron Cooking Grid- If you like sear marks on your food and superior heat conductivity- Appox; $65
3) DigiQ Dx2 System- Get ready its expensive but to me worth every penney. Unless you enjoy baby sitting your BGE hourly through a long slow cook this is a must. It performa as advertised without question for mor and to be amazed visit; http://www.thebbqguru.com/ The BBQ Gure makes it for the BGE folks. Ok ready? Appox; $290. I know, I know, but it works and really is not that much over time because of the money saved from screwing up expensive cuts and of course being able to sleep thru a 12 hour cook is great.
4) Electric Charcoal Starter; Has your fire going in about five to seven minutes and over the long run less expensive than Natural Charcoal Starters- Appox $30.00
5) Grill gripper; Grabs your hot or cooled Stainless or cast iron cooking grids will little effort another make life easy item- Appox; $12
Cost for Plate Setter and Cast Iron Cooking are for a large BGE.
I hope this helps and good luck!
L/MiniMax Eggs
L/MiniMax Eggs
I was thinking of getting a Thermapen and DigiQ
The DigiQ is complete with a thermometer but the one from BGE is not remote, it is wired to the control. However, the BBQ Guru manufactures a new unit which is remote wifi. Comes with three food probs and one pitt prob. You can leave the house and lets say; take in a movie. While there check the temp of your fire and food from your cell phone. Opps, need to adjust the fire, well just do it from your phone while sitting in the movie.
I have the DigiQ and love it.. Did not trust it at first but it has proved me wrong thankfully so. I am thinking about purchasing the CyberQ Wifi, from the Guru. The cost for the control is 299.00. Since we have the blower etc (the one from our DigiQ) there is no need to purchase the entire kit which would run close to 600.00.. The unit is great if you cook a lot of items at once wherein you need the additional food probs. Most folks will be well served with the DigiQ purchase from BGE, or The BBQ Guru.. If from BGE it will be green and have the BGE name/logo, that is the only difference in the DigiQ Dx2 from BGE vs purchasing form the manufacture; The BBQ Guru
Hope this helps
1. Way to do indirect. Platesetter but wish I had heard of the adjustable rig first.
2. Instant read thermometer. THERMAPEN! (green is still the fastest)
3. Digital thermometer Maverick ET-732 (very useful even if you only monitor your grid temp)
4. Vacuum packer Food Saver (you will buy meats you don't need and end up with leftovers)
5. Pizza stone and Wok So much fun!
6. Camera We like pics.
Lots of great info here (entire thread) for you to get started, good luck!