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First item to buy?

TurtleTiger
TurtleTiger Posts: 93
in EggHead Forum

Ok, so I'm getting a pretty good deal on a LBGE, nest, mates, and a plate setter.  I am planning on building a table because I'm fairly handy and the price of a table is ridiculous.  I'm just going to use the nest and mates long enough to determine best table design and placement for my usage.

It has been suggested I get the SS chimney cap, Maverick ET732, or a 16" pizza stone.  I'm not going to get all three immediately, so if you had to choose one of the three what would it be?  Also, what is the best lighting source?  I have a small handheld torch and striker.  Is this a good option?

I fully intend to invest in thermapen before I get started and eventually a DigiQ DX2 once I get comfortable with temperature control myself.

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Comments

  • JohnInCarolina
    JohnInCarolina Posts: 34,739
    Meat.  Buy some meat.  
    "I've made a note never to piss you two off." - Stike

    "The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand." - Deep Throat
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  • corey24
    corey24 Posts: 386
    Maverick.....really handy device when smoking.  Helps differentiate dome temp from grate temps. Also nice to be able to watch temps from inside so you don't have to be in front of egg for hours.  Has nice HI/LOW temp alarms for food and grate. 

    XL Egg Owner Since Dec 2013 - Louisiana

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  • ReldtiCDN
    ReldtiCDN Posts: 142
    edited January 2014
    Some good lump will get the meat hot. Buy this first LOL.
     

    If you buy the thermopen get the backlit one and the magnetic cover for it.
    The SS top is nice haven't taken mine off since I got mine.
    Maverick is a must have more than the cap. I have the 732 but like the 733, it makes overcooks harder when your doing other things or it's to cold  (-18C today) to watch the cook.
    Brampton, Ontario



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  • JohnInCarolina
    JohnInCarolina Posts: 34,739
    I'm joking (maybe only a little), but seriously... my advice would be to hold off on the SS chimney cap, as it's more for decoration than anything else.  

    For the other two, do you have a thermometer you can use to monitor meat temperature currently? If not, then you might want to get the Maverick.  If you do, then I'd get the stone.  The stones are great because cooking pizzas on the Egg is a lot of fun.  

    You'll get all sorts of opinions on the best lighting source.  When I started I used one of the electric BGE lighters, which was great.  Now I use a Looftlighter which is quite a bit faster and more precise.  Others here use propane torches.  
    "I've made a note never to piss you two off." - Stike

    "The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand." - Deep Throat
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  • WoodsDog
    WoodsDog Posts: 48
    I've seen SS Cap on youtube, and I'm not really sure I get it.  I guess it's good to keep rain out, but other than that, look?  I don't even think it looks that good.

    If you plan to do a lot of smoking and long cooks, the maverick is a must.  Or get an automatic bbq controller.   If you are just grilling up things, probably not as vital.

    The Pizza Stone is nice, if you want to cook Pizzas and breads.  I have one, but we don't do a lot of pizzas.  Its fun when I do, but, it's not a primary use case.

    Do you have Thermapin?  I LOVE mine.   Vital tool.

    I will also give the standard response and check out Ceramic Grill Store (google it).
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  • shadowcaster
    shadowcaster Posts: 620
    A thermometer for sure and even a stone is not a bad investment. The rest I would wait to see what you really think you will use. I had my medium egg for close to a year before I got my large and then had that for a few months until I bought the AR. I have a 3 tier BGE rack that I got as a gift that I have never used and now that I have the AR I have a good feeling I never will. Just experiment on different types of cooks and look on the forum or on other websites and see all the accessories that are out there and try and figure out which one will work best for you.
    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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  • buzd504
    buzd504 Posts: 3,877
    JohnInCarolina said:
    Meat.  Buy some meat.  

    And some beer.
    NOLA
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  • TurtleTiger
    TurtleTiger Posts: 93
    Yeah maybe I'll just get it all. Haha. Lump, meat, and and lots of beer and hopefully it will cook itself.
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  • shadowcaster
    shadowcaster Posts: 620
    If you drink enough beer everything tastes better!
    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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  • Little Steven
    Little Steven Posts: 28,817
    If I were in your position I would go straight to the adjustable rig and get a credit for the platesetter. You need a fast read thermometer and most everyone here will agree the thermapen is the best. IMHO that is all you need. I have all the toys but generally don't use much else. Oh, and some 1/2" copper plumbing tee fittings.

    Steve 

    Caledon, ON

     

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  • TurtleTiger
    TurtleTiger Posts: 93

    How do you use the 1/2" copper plumbing tee fittings?

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  • shadowcaster
    shadowcaster Posts: 620
    edited January 2014
    The 1/2" copper Tees are for putting under your drip pan to make some airspace so your drippings do not burn

    Listen to Little Steven, anyone that makes a snowman out of his Egg would never steer you wrong! 
    :))
    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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  • JohnInCarolina
    JohnInCarolina Posts: 34,739
    You can also use rolled-up little balls of Al foil.  
    "I've made a note never to piss you two off." - Stike

    "The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand." - Deep Throat
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  • Little Steven
    Little Steven Posts: 28,817
    You use them to provide an air barrier between the indirect piece and pizza stone, to do the same with drip pans to keep drippings and juice from scorching and to do Dutch oven, and tajine cooks on the indirect piece. The indirect piece is the platesetter or adjustable rig stone.

    Steve 

    Caledon, ON

     

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  • Little Steven
    Little Steven Posts: 28,817
    shadowcaster said:
    The 1/2" copper Tees are for putting under your drip pan to make some airspace so your drippings do not burn

    Listen to Little Steven, anyone that makes a snowman out of his Egg would never steer you wrong! 
    :))
    That was my wife and daughter. Darn close to a divorce that day till I realized there was no permanent damage. ;)

    Steve 

    Caledon, ON

     

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  • jhl192
    jhl192 Posts: 1,006
    Learn how to shoot with iron sights before you buy a scope for your gun....  I would just get a Thermopen and do everything oh-naturale at least for a while until you learn the your shortcomings and understand the concepts. The pizza stone would get my vote if I could only chose from the 3 above. 
    XL BGE; Medium BGE; L BGE 
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  • shadowcaster
    shadowcaster Posts: 620
    Little Steven said:


    shadowcaster said:

    The 1/2" copper Tees are for putting under your drip pan to make some airspace so your drippings do not burn


    Listen to Little Steven, anyone that makes a snowman out of his Egg would never steer you wrong! 
    :))
    That was my wife and daughter. Darn close to a divorce that day till I realized there was no permanent damage. ;)

    Haha yea I probably would have been on the phone with a hit man. Thats almost as bad as my MIL putting my 2 yr old son in girls pjs!

    I was just giving you a hard time though, I always get a laugh when I look at that picture
    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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  • BigWader
    BigWader Posts: 673

    Maverick is a good idea.  Nice to be in the house or garage or around the yard and not worry.  Keep your eyes on WOOT for pizza stones.  They do the Emile Henry pretty frequently for $20 and that's a great deal.

    I'm with Little Steven on skipping the platesetter and going adjustable rig.  I found pretty quickly a crunch on space without it and felt like complete meals on the egg were really hard to do at the same time.

    Then I'd go Thermapen since it is so helpful to cook to temperature and the Thermapen changes as you slide it through the meat you are measuring it is so accurate and fast.

    Toronto, Canada

    Large BGE, Small BGE

     

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  • henapple
    henapple Posts: 16,025
    For the occasional low and slow in the rain. $10 at Lowe's. Think about what you'll be cooking. The maverick is great for overnight.
    Green egg, dead animal and alcohol. The "Boro".. TN 
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  • Little Steven
    Little Steven Posts: 28,817
    BigWader said:

    Maverick is a good idea.  Nice to be in the house or garage or around the yard and not worry.  Keep your eyes on WOOT for pizza stones.  They do the Emile Henry pretty frequently for $20 and that's a great deal.

    I'm with Little Steven on skipping the platesetter and going adjustable rig.  I found pretty quickly a crunch on space without it and felt like complete meals on the egg were really hard to do at the same time.

    Then I'd go Thermapen since it is so helpful to cook to temperature and the Thermapen changes as you slide it through the meat you are measuring it is so accurate and fast.

    I wasn't even thinking about the extra grid space...duh! Just the ability to position the grid or pizza stone where you want it.

    Steve 

    Caledon, ON

     

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  • TurtleTiger
    TurtleTiger Posts: 93

    I'll have to keep an eye on that for the pizza stone.  That seems like a really good price.  I checked out the adjustable rig and that looks pretty sweet.  I really enjoy cooking and eating the ribs so the oval ss rack looks enticing.

    BigWader said:

    Maverick is a good idea.  Nice to be in the house or garage or around the yard and not worry.  Keep your eyes on WOOT for pizza stones.  They do the Emile Henry pretty frequently for $20 and that's a great deal.

    I'm with Little Steven on skipping the platesetter and going adjustable rig.  I found pretty quickly a crunch on space without it and felt like complete meals on the egg were really hard to do at the same time.

    Then I'd go Thermapen since it is so helpful to cook to temperature and the Thermapen changes as you slide it through the meat you are measuring it is so accurate and fast.


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  • Cookinbob
    Cookinbob Posts: 1,691
    I love to spend money when I have to, but if I can find a lower cost way to easily satisfy my need, I do it.

    I would go for the Maverick for sure - $50 should cover it.  Thermapen is great for a quick read but is $100.  If you have one of the $25 ones from the kitchen store, it will do the job for now - you just have to wait longer for the final answer.

    For lighting, I used a chimney for 7 months, and did the paper towel/cooking oil thing once.  I have a MAP blowtorch now, and it saves a step and is significantly easier.  I would try the blowtorch you have before buying anything else though.

    As for the copper fittings, with the price of copper, I found the were about $7 each.  I bought a 3' piece of aluminum angle at Home depot for $5, and hack sawed it into 3 pieces to support my drip pan.  Problem solved.

    I needed to have a way to do a raised grate and to raise the Pizza stone - bought a Weber grate and 3 small flower pots.  Some day I will get an adjustable rig or a Woo, but I am doing without, and happily I might add.

    Bottom line, I have probably spent $300 accessorizing my egg, will spend plenty more, but it is really stuff I want rather than need!
    XLBGE, Small BGE, Homebrew and Guitars
    Rochester, NY
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  • SoCal_Griller
    SoCal_Griller Posts: 516
    I don't have a SS cap, but living in California it doesn't seem necessary.  Pizza stone is great IF you cook pizzas.  I have one but have not used it in a year, no particular reason, just haven't made any pizzas.  Temperature controls is important so I would say of the three items you listed, go for the Maverick.  I just recently purchased an AR and wish I would have done that a lot earlier.

    As far as lighting goes, I have tried webber starters, BGE starters, Oil and paper towel, but now am using 91% Isopropyl alchohol and like that a lot.
    Simi Valley, California
    LBGE, PBC, Annova, SMOBot
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  • Duranhler
    Duranhler Posts: 78
    This has all been great info for me, as a relative new XLBGE owner.
    :)
    Peoria, AZ == XL BGE, Weber 22.5 Redhead, Fiesta Blue Ember Gasser
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  • FATC1TY
    FATC1TY Posts: 888
    edited January 2014
    I'd say a good thermometer is pretty much a given. I brew beer regularly, so I've got a Thermapen and it's just flat out the best thing for grilling and smoking in some cases.

    I'd skip the SS top. I'd get the cast iron grate, IMO, or the stone. I use my cast iron more than I do the stone, but pizzas are indeed fun and delicious.

    A controller is a dang nice thing to have for long cooks, or if you do some overnight cooks.

    Honestly, I'd save my money for some good lump ( wicked, IMO ), meat, and then building your tables.

    Like you, I'm using my nest and tables for now, and working on doing some changes and putting in our outdoor kitchen around my egg, so I'm getting my table build together slowly.

    Starting your coals is a good point to think about, I personally haven't had an issue with the BGE type starters and my poor old chimney starter that's on it's last leg.

    Enjoy it.
    -FATC1TY
    Grillin' and Brewing in Atlanta
    LBGE
    MiniMax
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  • DMW
    DMW Posts: 13,836
    edited January 2014
    If I had to pick from the options listed, the Maverick would be it.
    They/Them
    Morgantown, PA

    XL BGE - S BGE - KJ Jr - HB Legacy - BS Pizza Oven - 30" Firepit - King Kooker Fryer -  PR72T - WSJ - BS 17" Griddle - XXL BGE  - BS SS36" Griddle - 2 Burner Gasser - Pellet Smoker
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