suggestion for new egg owners

henapple · May 2014

Some just some ideas to ponder. It seems at Christmas and early spring there is an influx of new eggers. These are a few suggestions Fwiw.

Don't build a table. ...wait a while. As cheap as the nest is and can usually be sold later it will give you a chance to determine if you even want a table. You might want to use the nest with a side table. You might want storage. You might want an open table. You might ....? You probably know what you want but not what you need. It'll take a while to figure that out.

Don't go chucking your other cooking vessels. I know you're on an egg high and it's the greatest thing since condoms were invented but take your time. I sold several items I wish I had back especially my stack smoker. It took me a while to realize ( @cazzy @Foghorn‌ ) the egg isn't always the best cooker for every occasion. Can the egg cook everything? Yes. Is it always better? No. Hang on to that stuff till the high wears off. I don't cook pizzas on the egg anymore. ..gasp. Paella is traditionally cooked over an open fire...not an egg. Franklin doesn't use an egg and is doing ok. Is it versatile? ..hell yeah but it isn't always the best tool for the job.

Don't buy everything you see. You'll end up with a bunch of **** you don't use. You've got money to waste? Fine. If not, slowly find what you need. I use a homemade raised grid while some have to have an adjustable rig. There's nothing wrong with either but why buy it if you don't need it. Some like the ss rain cap/vent...I have a $10 vent cover from lowe's. My wife bought me bear claws. ..I hate them.

Search. Google any subject like "big green egg how to control temp?".... You'll get to that point of redundant questions and down the road you'll agree. I love to see cooks and really enjoy the off topic stuff.

Finally, to the long timers...let eggers bask in their glory. Someone will post how they just nailed burgers and inevitably there's the comment stating how they should do it or do it better.

Just fwiw...

Henapple. ..out.

Mattman3969 · May 2014

Good advise, Tony.

KennyLee · May 2014

Agree on everything except the table, and not because I built one and like it or think anybody else should have one, but because I saved easily $200 or a little more by buying the Egg by itself sans the nest which about covered the cost of materials for the table I built.

SoCalTim · May 2014

Great advice. I'd wish someone has given me the heads up much earlier. I spent $180 on a swing grate which I now discovered I don't even like. Looking back I should have gotten a Woo PS2 and the adapter to add an extra grate on top. I'd of saved alot of money for an even better result

My excuse? I was on an 'egg high' and pissed my money away.

Tim

TheShaytoon · May 2014

Here is what I can add... Buy the bigger one. I bought the Large and now want to sell it and get an XL.

Carolina Q · May 2014

Henapple, I could have written that. Every. Single. Word. For example, I haven't done pizza on the egg in at least a year. But I get accused of sacrilege if I say any of those things.

jllbms · May 2014

Had a table... and a fire. Converting to a nest and a SS side table.

td66snrf · May 2014

henapple This post should be left at the top and be mandatory reading for newbies.

Carolina Q · May 2014

TheShaytoon said:

Here is what I can add... Buy the bigger one. I bought the Large and now want to sell it and get an XL.

LOL. And I say, buy the SMALLER one. I bought a Large. Thought about an XL and thankful I didn't do that. Small would have been plenty.

jllbms · May 2014

I have a large. If I were getting a second, it would probably be a small.

flemster · May 2014

@henapple: Dead on for me too. The only egg-cessory I bought that I don't routinely use is a little half rack elevated of the grid... otherwise I have a nest and stock items. Gradually added my HiQgrate and as well as my PSWoo2 and spider. After 2 years finally got a controller and spent forever picking it. The only thing I wish I had bought day 1 was my thermapen... would have made the learning process easier for me..

tksmoke · May 2014

@Henapple - well said. It is easy to be taken in by the great cooks that are posted here, and say - if only I had that, I could really shine. I'm amazed by the newbies at almost every endeavor who have all the stuff, but no idea of the basic concepts. Now I like toys as much as the next guy, but learning the basics of temperature control, direct vs. indirect, use of smoke, and various cooking techniques will provide the results that keep new eggers in the game.

jllbms · May 2014

Save on the junk. Buy books.

henapple · May 2014

I agree with the thermapen. The great thing about this forum is that can make you a better cook....on anything. Hell, I could cook on an open fire utilizing what I've learned here.

Carolina Q · May 2014

henapple said:

I could cook on an open fire utilizing what I've learned here.

But that would be OT. Eh?

)

CarolinaCrazy · May 2014

henapple said:

Is it versatile? ..hell yeah but it isn't always the best tool for the job.

Word

RRP · May 2014

I agree with what you suggest and may I add another point? This may sound self-serving, but let me finish explaining before you pass judgement on me and my post. If you can attend a local Eggfest do so! Over the years they have sprung up all over the country and while making a pilgrimage to the Mother House in Atlanta may be the holy grail to some people I believe there is more to be learned and enjoyed by the smaller events. Talk with the folks egging there...they love to talk shop! If by chance you have a dealer that sponsors demo cooks then go enjoy those as well and talk with fellow eggers! Most times they know far more than the dealer does! And lastly if you have a dealer that sponsors BGE cooking classes consider attending one. I have been teaching such classes for 8 years now and as I explain to folks I may not be a great egger cook, but after 14 years I know how to use the egg and I believe I prove it to them with all the foods I prepare on the two eggs that night. I also share hints and tricks gained from these years of being active on the original Greeneggers forum and now this forum. Now...pat yourself on the back since YOU already are reading this forum and read my next revelation! It just amazes me the number of people who buy eggs who don't know about these forums and even after 2 or more years don't have a clue about how to use them! The term newbies is not reserved for brand new egg owners! Trust me!

Sardonicus · May 2014

henapple said:

. . . a few suggestions Fwiw. Don't build a table. ...wait a while.
. . .You might ....? . . . It'll take a while to figure that out. . . . but take your time. . . . It took me a while to realize . . . gasp.
. . . You've got money to waste? Fine. If not, slowly find what you need.
. . . why buy it if you don't need it.
. . . Just fwiw... Henapple. ..out.

Wise words, Henapple.

What you counsel is correlative to what I've learned over years/decades of charcoaling and two months of Egging: Patience pays.

Just as the best grilling/smoking/BBQing begins with forethought given to prep of food, fire, and equipment and use thereof, so can an emotive headlong rush into accessory purchases [or grilling] too often lead to a waste of money [or food].

Money wasted on unnecessary items is money that can be invested on a few good ribeye steaks.

SMITTYtheSMOKER · May 2014

Checking the main "Band Bolts" to make sure they always stay tight. Expensive problem if the dome of your Egg falls out due to loosened band bolts. After 5 initial cooks on a new Egg, after your first pizza cook, and once a year to make sure.

Skiddymarker · May 2014

Knew you would come around - very well said.

I still use my egg for pizza, best tool I have for it. I have never used my egg (other than once) to wok on, propane burner has both easy temp control and more heat. (I was taught how to wok by a Taiwanese friend who suggested the burner). The burner also helps with brewing.

I kept my gasser, it does a great job of storage or as a warming oven and SWMBO likes it for veggies, she is a super taster and does not like smoke on veggies. Side burner is a great place to reduce sauces. Last night did two chicken breasts on the Smokey Joe over briquettes, still comes in handy.

GQuiz · May 2014

Awesome advice. Would be cool if every new person had to read this before their first post. Sure wish I'd read it back then. Probably would have saved north of $500 on all the stuff I bought in haste. Thanks for the great post.

nolaegghead · May 2014

My advice would be to try to forget everything you've heard about BBQ (like searing seals in moisture and cooking via time) and start over by reading this forum and the entire amazingribs.com site, trust no-one at first... Avoid all the eggccessory, egg size, lump brand threads for the first few months - they're just **** fights.

Ktim · May 2014

Awesome post, maybe the best I have read.I have had my Egg for 3 months and did 71 cooks so far 69 of them turned out great thanks to all of you people on here. Can hardly wait to get to an Eggfest. A Big Thank You to Everyone on Here!!

nolaegghead · May 2014

Give a man a recipe, feed him for a day. Teach a man to BBQ, and you can't get rid of the neighbors for life.

henapple · May 2014

@nolaegghead‌... lump arguments aren't **** fights as long as everyone admits Royal Oak sucks. ..

Lols jk broski. ..

nolaegghead · May 2014

Maybe that's why they are ALWAYS **** fights. Although that can be entertaining at times.

Eggcelsior · May 2014

**** fights are the best kind of threads.

nolaegghead · May 2014

henapple · May 2014

Next time that **** will buy some Ozark Oak. ..

NPHuskerFL · May 2014

Talking about holding off on a table. I 100% agree. I have seen a number of folks who build a table and/or OD kitchen and then buy the egg. So which came first the chicken or the egg? Or in this case the table before the BGE? Lol

Hi54putty · May 2014

I have always hated my Eggs but have never felt the freedom to admit that on the forum. Wow, I feel better already.

suggestion for new egg owners

Comments

XL BGE; Schertz TX by way of Stow OH. #egghead4life

Categories