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Equipment Question from a Newbie

jamco
jamco Posts: 13
in EggHead Forum

I'm new to the BGE community and very excited to finally be here!  My days of verticle electric smoking have finally ended.   I placed my order for a large BGE this week and wanted everyone's advice on eggccessories.

I've purchased a plate setter, V-rack, ash tool and grid cleaner (bottle opener is awaiting installation).  Are there any other pieces that I need to start my Egg career?  Thanks in advance...

Jamie

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Comments

  • grussem
    grussem Posts: 120
    I have only had mine since July. I have a plate setter (a necessity in my opinion) and that is about it. I bought a V-Rack at Walmart and for the ash tool I use a giant metal serving spoon that fits right in the bottom vent perfect.

    The only other thing I would recommend if you plan on doing long smokes is some sort of a "thermostat" like the DigiQ.  I own the DigiQ and it's worked great for me, but there are other brands out there as well so read up on them and decide what fits your budget and needs best.  Welcome to the BGE family.

    BTW I too started out on a vertical electric smoker, it was a masterbuilt.  It was a good smoker and worked as advertised but IMHO you get a different flavor on the BGE.  I am not sure what your experience is but there may be a bit of a learning curve as far as learning how to control temperatures (both low and high, with plate setter and without).  Anyhow, best of luck to you.  OH! One more thing, I just started a YouTube channel on which I feature the BGE.  I'm new to it and only have 2 videos so far but I a making another one today.  Check it out and subscribe.  Keep Q'ing!


    My YouTube Channel
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  • sumoconnell
    sumoconnell Posts: 1,932
    You can do quite a lot with the list you provided - I'd suggest you cook for a while, have fun, and see what you may need.  The one thing I'd suggest you buy soon is a temp probe, my first was a $10 digital probe from the BBQ isle at the grocery store. It works great when you don't need an instant read. You'll be pressured for a thermapen by the next 10 posters.  :)

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    Austin, Texas.  I'm the guy holding a beer.
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  • lousubcap
    lousubcap Posts: 36,812

    You will likely want to cook "raised direct" at some point.  Moving the cooking grid to gasket level or above w/o a platesetter in place.  Easy way to do that is to buy a second grid (weber makes many sizes) pound three aluminum canned beers, then place the empty cans at around 120* spacing on the lower grid and put second grid on top.  You can go with one grid if you carefully place the cans on the top of the fire ring. 

    And here's a great intro thread-

    BGE Newbie Quickstart guide Also check out the following site for lots of info- http://www.nakedwhiz.com/ceramic.htm  Welcome aboard and enjoy the journey.
    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.  
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  • SWVABeanCounter
    SWVABeanCounter Posts: 859

    Welcome to the party!  If you've read much on this forum, you've heard to cook to temp and not time.  So yes, you will need a good themometer and the thermapen is one of the best.  I'd also suggest a temp probe like the Maverick ET732 or 733.  It's very helpful to know grid and meat temps and really nice to be able to set the alarms and sleep if doing an overnight cook.

    Damascus, VA.  Friendliest town on the Appalachian Trail.

    LBGE Aug 2012, SBGE Feb 2014

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  • BYS1981
    BYS1981 Posts: 2,533
    edited January 2014
    I think a digital read thermometer is what I'd get, then wait and see what you need after a while of use.

    For the record, I use a $20 generic thermometer and don't feel like sending $80 on thermapen is necessary.
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  • TexanOfTheNorth
    TexanOfTheNorth Posts: 3,951
    Remember to always keep a camera handy so that you can take pictures of your cooks; which, of course, need to be posted here!

    Welcome to the lifestyle.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Well, "spa-Peggy" is kind of like spaghetti. I'm not sure what Peggy does different, if anything. But it's the one dish she's kind of made her own.
    ____________________
    Aurora, Ontario, Canada
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  • QDude
    QDude Posts: 1,066
    SWVABeanCounter said:

    Welcome to the party!  If you've read much on this forum, you've heard to cook to temp and not time.  So yes, you will need a good themometer and the thermapen is one of the best.  I'd also suggest a temp probe like the Maverick ET732 or 733.  It's very helpful to know grid and meat temps and really nice to be able to set the alarms and sleep if doing an overnight cook.

    +1!!!

    Northern Colorado Egghead since 2012.

    XL BGE and a KBQ.

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  • Loosemoose
    Loosemoose Posts: 295
    edited January 2014
    RT600C if you don't want to spend the big bucks on a thermapen.
    I'd guess any thermometers from thermoworks are quality pieces.
    Nowhere Indiana
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  • calracefan
    calracefan Posts: 670

    1.Thermopen

    2.A/R but you can't use it with the Platesetter, so spider w/stone .

    Welcome, you will enjoy !

    Ova B.
    Fulton MO
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  • SmokinOutBack
    SmokinOutBack Posts: 311
    Welcome! I would also do a few cooks and get used to everything. But you will want/need a good thermometer and a thermapen is the real deal and one you'll never be sorry you bought. Honest.
    Cherry Hill, NJ
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  • shadowcaster
    shadowcaster Posts: 620
    I have to agree with what has been said above. Stick with what you have ordered until you figure out what you really need vs what you think you need. Last thing you want to do is spend good money on something just to have it sit around and collect dust. 
    Pure Michigan
    Large BGE, Medium BGE, Mini BGE, Weber Smokey Mountain, Weber Performer.
    If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.
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  • henapple
    henapple Posts: 16,025
    You ain't got a thermapen. ..
    Green egg, dead animal and alcohol. The "Boro".. TN 
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  • henapple
    henapple Posts: 16,025
    Seriously. Clean the grid with aluminum foil. Don't use a wire brush. Welcome. Take your time and see what you need and/or want.
    Green egg, dead animal and alcohol. The "Boro".. TN 
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  • jhl192
    jhl192 Posts: 1,006
    Thermapen from Thermoworks.  Like the BGE...not cheap...but worth it.  
    XL BGE; Medium BGE; L BGE 
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  • shadowcaster
    shadowcaster Posts: 620
    henapple said:

    Seriously. Clean the grid with aluminum foil. Don't use a wire brush. Welcome. Take your time and see what you need and/or want.

    You're suppose to clean the grid?!
    Pure Michigan
    Large BGE, Medium BGE, Mini BGE, Weber Smokey Mountain, Weber Performer.
    If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.
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  • bicktrav
    bicktrav Posts: 640
    The only thing you really should get is a Thermometer.  Thermapen is the best, but the Thermoworks rt600 will get you 90% of the way there if you don't have an extra $100 to drop on a thermometer right now.  If money is no object and you really want to set yourself up get an Adjustable Rig.
    Southern California
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  • grege345
    grege345 Posts: 3,515
    Maverick 732 or 733. I use it all the time
    LBGE& SBGE———————————————•———————– Pennsylvania / poconos

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  • laserdoc85
    laserdoc85 Posts: 577
    A chicken should be added to the list then some ribs
    Jefferson .GA.  
    Been egging since 1985 on a medium egg
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  • henapple
    henapple Posts: 16,025
    Hey, get a thermapen. ..
    Green egg, dead animal and alcohol. The "Boro".. TN 
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  • flatbedr
    flatbedr Posts: 12
    I'd recommend a pair of heat resistant cooking gloves and a grid lifter.  My ash tool is a shop vac.  I use a long screw driver to stir up my lump.  And I use Royal Oak Natural Lump for my fuel.
    Large BGE
    Medium BGE
    Thermoworks Billows/Signals, Thermapen One, Thermapen MK4
    Large Adjustable Rig Combo
    Bismarck, ND 

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  • RickyBobby
    RickyBobby Posts: 744
    Get a good mapp torch & mapp tank ... you'll thank me later!
    My PitMaster IQ120 FREAKIN ROCKS!!!!!!! Current BGE arsenal: XL & MiniMax
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  • sumoconnell
    sumoconnell Posts: 1,932
    edited January 2014
    I forgot the most important accessories...

    You need a full beer fridge, or some good scotch and stogies.. that's most important on the low and slows. 

    (edit: Thermapen)
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    Austin, Texas.  I'm the guy holding a beer.
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  • henapple
    henapple Posts: 16,025
    What about a thermapen?
    Green egg, dead animal and alcohol. The "Boro".. TN 
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  • grege345
    grege345 Posts: 3,515
    I thought you were outta here? Lol
    LBGE& SBGE———————————————•———————– Pennsylvania / poconos

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  • RickyBobby
    RickyBobby Posts: 744
    henapple said:
    What about a thermapen?

    Have another drink
    My PitMaster IQ120 FREAKIN ROCKS!!!!!!! Current BGE arsenal: XL & MiniMax
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  • henapple
    henapple Posts: 16,025
    Through a thermapen?
    Green egg, dead animal and alcohol. The "Boro".. TN 
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  • RickyBobby
    RickyBobby Posts: 744
    Yes
    My PitMaster IQ120 FREAKIN ROCKS!!!!!!! Current BGE arsenal: XL & MiniMax
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  • Eggcelsior
    Eggcelsior Posts: 14,414
    I'm surprised henapple hasn't mentioned this, but a Thermapen is a must.
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  • RickyBobby
    RickyBobby Posts: 744
    You won't find one as fast as mine!
    My PitMaster IQ120 FREAKIN ROCKS!!!!!!! Current BGE arsenal: XL & MiniMax
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  • sumoconnell
    sumoconnell Posts: 1,932
    Must have a thermapen, its a must.
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    Austin, Texas.  I'm the guy holding a beer.
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