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Okay new eggheads!

Posts: 9,136
edited March 2014 in EggHead Forum
You just got your egg, you're starting to get some cooks in...here is some advice that I think will help you.  

Don't forget everything you know about barbecue, just start forgetting all the extra stuff you did to make your barbecue have moisture or taste better.  Start simple, get some cooks under your belt, then tweak from there.  This is unlike any cooker you've probably cooked on, it's efficient, it's easy, and it will turn out great product if you give it a chance.  This is not a Weber Kettle, a stick burner, or a gasser.

Please understand that a perfectly cooked cut of meat will be juicy and flavorful off the egg, so start with having a great thermometer like the Thermapen.  Reference one of the many meat temperature guides to know when your meat is ready.  Cook to temperature, not time!  

For now, leave your injections, brines, marinades, foil, water pans, and spray bottles in the cupboard.  There is a place for several of those, especially brines and marinades if your recipe calls for it, but for now, lets skip doctoring up every piece of meat and just keep it simple.  Get an understanding how a seasoned chicken breast cooks on the egg, and tweak from there if you need to.  You just might find that you get similar or better results with a lot less dang work.   Another example is the famous 3/2/1 rib method...I can promise you that the person who came up with this method was not using an egg.  Once you acknowledge that the majority of the techniques you're using are designed for other cooking vessels or competition barbecue, I think you'll grow as a cook.  

I love to try different techniques, but for now, I just want you start with the basics before you get all Weird Science on a beautiful cut of meat.  Good luck and welcome aboard!

Just a hack that makes some $hitty BBQ....

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Comments

  • Posts: 1,191
    A+ Cazzy
    Toronto
  • Posts: 19,717
    So this is what happens to you when you don't eat to much and way over drink? How is the ankle?
    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 a Mini to add to the herd. 

  • Posts: 3,551
    Great advice.
    __________________________________________
    It's not a science, it's an art. And it's flawed.
    - Camp Hill, PA
  • Posts: 9,136
    Mickey said:
    So this is what happens to you when you don't eat to much and way over drink? How is the ankle?
    I see what you did there Mickey.  The knee is about 10% better...going to try to get an orthopedic appointment tomorrow.  We shall see.
    Just a hack that makes some $hitty BBQ....
  • Posts: 19,717
    You were missed my friend. And talked about.......
    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 a Mini to add to the herd. 

  • Posts: 3,966
    Cazzy great advice.  Missed seeing/meeting you. I hope the knee is ok.  
    Large, small and mini now Egging in Rowlett Tx
  • Posts: 9,136

    Cazzy great advice.  Missed seeing/meeting you. I hope the knee is ok.  

    Same here Joan! I may just show up to Austin Eggfest...we'll see.
    Just a hack that makes some $hitty BBQ....
  • Posts: 16,025
    I'll add have a way to cook indirect but don't buy a bunch of stuff you don't need. Wait on your table for a while....your needs/wants will certainly change. Make your own decisions on others advice. I don't have an AR but some will say you need one. Slowly work your way into your accessories so you don't waste money...unless you have money to waste.
    Green egg, dead animal and alcohol. The "Boro".. TN 
  • Posts: 3,551
    And make sure you register your Egg and keep your receipt just in case. Going through a warranty claim on a 2 1/2 yo Egg and hoping to not have an issue.
    __________________________________________
    It's not a science, it's an art. And it's flawed.
    - Camp Hill, PA
  • Posts: 23,161
    edited March 2014
    All well said. I cooked straight up standard for 8 years before I bought one accessory. I didn't have a raised grid, multiple level cooking, spider with lowered grid or a temp controller until the last 6-9 months. I bought a thermapen last year. All things that make my life easier but you can do 90% of what we can do right out of the box. Even though I love all my toys, the only thing that helped me make better food was the thermapen. I would buy a one or the cheaper one today if I were you. everything else can wait if you need to.
    Keepin' It Weird in The ATX FBTX
  • Posts: 19,717
    Plus 1 to what Cen-Tex said: The Therapen will make you a better cook both inside and cooking outside.
    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 a Mini to add to the herd. 

  • Posts: 6,412
    edited March 2014
    Crap cazzy. If you'd have written this post back in august, you would've saved me a lot of trouble. :-B
    Slumming it in Aiken, SC. 
  • Ha! Got an egg in December and it was as if I completely forgot how to grill for some reason. I guess it was intimidation. Finally getting in the groove and feeling comfortable. Great advice all around.
  • Posts: 6,918
    As a newbie this is great advice I also bookmarked the BGE Newbie Quick Start Guide. I go back to that quite often. I am enjoying the learning curve and all the prep work before the cook. Also this great forum and humor !!!
    <:-P
    Greensboro North Carolina
    When in doubt Accelerate....
  • Posts: 364
    thanks cazzy, the 3/2/1 method for baby back ribs does not work.
  • Posts: 16,025
    Why not?
    Green egg, dead animal and alcohol. The "Boro".. TN 
  • Posts: 364
    It is too long on at 250 on the egg and the ribs get mushy.Might be OK for spares but not for baby backs.
  • Posts: 16,025
    At that time don't foil...
    Green egg, dead animal and alcohol. The "Boro".. TN 
  • Posts: 34,736
    @Ktim-The foil step is where the ribs take on the mush texture.  Just eggsperiment with various techniques to find what you like.  Many will cook X-0-0.  FWIW-
    Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood. # 38 for the win.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period.
  • Posts: 1,932

    The first accessory to buy is a Richards Simmons tape.... you can outcook your metabolism in a hurry. 

    And drinking threads are not "OT".
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    Austin, Texas.  I'm the guy holding a beer.
  • Posts: 10,490
    The new eggheads might be a little confused when they see the Cazzy's Wings recipe with the complex marinating and basting process ;P.  

    Cazzy is an enigma, wrapped in a riddle...wrapped in bacon. 


    Which came first the chicken or the egg?  I egged the chicken and then I ate his leg. 

  • Posts: 9,136
    edited March 2014

    The new eggheads might be a little confused when they see the Cazzy's Wings recipe with the complex marinating and basting process ;P.  


    Cazzy is an enigma, wrapped in a riddle...wrapped in bacon. 
    LOL...that didn't take long. ;) That's why I put this in there:

    'There is a place for several of those, especially brines and marinades if your recipe calls for it, but for now, lets skip doctoring up every piece of meat and just keep it simple.'

    My wings are the most difficult thing I cook. Probably why I only make them twice a year. :P
    Just a hack that makes some $hitty BBQ....
  • Posts: 364
    Thanks,Lousubcap and Henapple.
  • I can't disagree more with my friend Cazzy. Lookit, here's what you do:
    1. Jump right in and make something complex! Go big or go home, right? We learn more by failing than succeeding so I say maximize your educational experience.
    2. Thermometers are for amatures. Learn to cook by squishing the meat to guage firmness.
    3. Use as much aparatus as you're man enough to handle. This adds to the complexity and enhances your educational experience. Oh, I can't stress this enough: Inject! Inject! inject!
    4. Always use the 3-2-1 method for ribs. There is no other method.

    You'll thank me for this.
    Flint, Michigan
  • Posts: 386
    100% AGREE! Thermapen is your best friend.  I used to spend hours on rub, glazes, etc.  Now I used pre-made rubs which are just as good and just throw on egg and let it do the work.  Thermapen gets you perfectly cooked meat every time.  Sometimes simple is better!

    XL Egg Owner Since Dec 2013 - Louisiana

  • Posts: 16,025
    @Fred19Flintstone‌ is a crackhead. ..never mind him.
    Green egg, dead animal and alcohol. The "Boro".. TN 
  • henapple said:

    @Fred19Flintstone‌ is a crackhead. ..never mind him.

    I never touch such chemicals. However, crackpot might be more accurate.
    Flint, Michigan
  • Posts: 669
    Also - Do a search before you post.  Everyone here is glad to help but a search may answer your question or give you additional information before you post - Ask me how I know.  Happy St Paddy's Day Everyone!  Doing corned beef tonight of course.
    Milton, GA.
  • Posts: 1,295
    I couldn't have said it better great advice !!!!
    2 Large Eggs and a Mini 2 Pit Bulls and a Pork shoulder or butt nearby and 100% SICILIAN
    Long Island N.Y.

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