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New to BGE

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Comments

  • ktm101
    ktm101 Posts: 61
    Thanks, I will have to give cleveland charcoal a try.  I normally use BGE, even though it is expensive I never have a problem with it.  Cheapest I found it was at hartville hardware.  I dont normally stock up on charcoal, that way I can go to the store more and buy more suff for the egg!!!
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  • THEBuckeye
    THEBuckeye Posts: 4,232

    My bro-in-law is a lifelong Browns fan. I first texted him "Johnny Rehab" and he texted back a few days later and said he thought I was kidding. He said he shuts Brown news down after the season. Said "it's better for my health!". 
    New Albany, Ohio 

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  • RAC
    RAC Posts: 1,688
    Welcome!

    Ricky

    Boerne, TX

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  • ryantt
    ryantt Posts: 2,558
    Nice to see so many Ohio people on here.
    XL BGE, KJ classic, Joe Jr, UDS x2 


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  • Foghorn
    Foghorn Posts: 10,228

    Welcome aboard.  You are asking the right questions.  I have a 22" Weber that I still use on occasion and a 20" ProQ vertical bullet smoker that has served me well over the years both at home and on the road - probably much like your UDS. 

    Your price was excellent.  I paid more in 2012.

    You may occasionally find a reason to have a hot direct side and a cooler indirect side of the grill and the XL is large enough to accomodate that - although because of the better insulation of the ceramic, the temperature difference between the two wiill be smaller than it is on the Weber.  I've done this a couple of times by just scraping the old lump from the previous cook to one side and lighting it.  I suspect the Weber charcoal holders are too small to get great heat to the grid and since the Egg is so easy to control (in terms of airflow and therefore temperatureI don't seem them being very useful.  

    The XL with the XL stone is a pizza cooking machine that you and your wife will love once you get the hang of it (for me that was the 3rd time I made pizza).  Just make sure that you put in a lot of lump and that you clear a small spot in front on the charcoal grate to make sure the lump is not clogging 1 or 2 of the holes to ensure great airflow. 

    Welcome and enjoy.

    XXL BGE, Karebecue, Klose BYC, Chargiller Akorn Kamado, Weber Smokey Mountain, Grand Turbo gasser, Weber Smoky Joe, and the wheelbarrow that my grandfather used to cook steaks from his cattle

    San Antonio, TX

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  • bcsnave
    bcsnave Posts: 1,009

    welcome...you didn't pay too much...


    The Dude..a Mini and a Large Egg..a DigiQ DX (BGE Green)..some Cast Iron...a Thermapen.............and an Ol' Fashion

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    Glenbeulah, WI

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  • Ladeback69
    Ladeback69 Posts: 4,484
    Welcome to the Eggdiction. I have an XL and there are only 3 members in my family. I too also will cook for up to 20 or 30 people so I went with the biggest egg they had at the time. You can use the Weber charcoal baskets to do direct/indirect at the same time. I will comment more when off work. Oh I paid $1665 for egg, Nest, tables, lump, PS and some tools.
    XL, WSM, Coleman Road Trip Gas Grill

    Kansas City, Mo.
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  • ryantt
    ryantt Posts: 2,558
    Thanks for the replies everyone. I think I'm going to love the Egg, once I figure it out. Has anyone used a digital temp control or is there no need with how steady they are.
    XL BGE, KJ classic, Joe Jr, UDS x2 


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  • theyolksonyou
    theyolksonyou Posts: 18,459
    ryantt said:

    Thanks for the replies everyone. I think I'm going to love the Egg, once I figure it out. Has anyone used a digital temp control or is there no need with how steady they are.

    Lots of people use them, but you don't NEED one. Most here would advise to learn to control without first then decide if you WANT to use one.
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  • henapple
    henapple Posts: 16,025
    image
    Green egg, dead animal and alcohol. The "Boro".. TN 
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  • theyolksonyou
    theyolksonyou Posts: 18,459
    ^^^^that is the biggest thing. Relax and have fun!
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  • Foghorn
    Foghorn Posts: 10,228

    "Most here would advise to learn to control without first then decide if you WANT to use one."

     

    This.

    I've decided that I trust my egg and don't need one.  Now if you have trust issues in other aspects of your life, they may carry over to the egg as well....

    XXL BGE, Karebecue, Klose BYC, Chargiller Akorn Kamado, Weber Smokey Mountain, Grand Turbo gasser, Weber Smoky Joe, and the wheelbarrow that my grandfather used to cook steaks from his cattle

    San Antonio, TX

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  • SMITTYtheSMOKER
    SMITTYtheSMOKER Posts: 2,668

    Welcome. Relax, don't worry so much

     

    -SMITTY     

    from SANTA CLARA, CA

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  • THEBuckeye
    THEBuckeye Posts: 4,232

    Who said "dead animals, fire and alcohol"??
    New Albany, Ohio 

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  • mtbguy
    mtbguy Posts: 299
    Welcome and enjoy the egg
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  • nealmgb
    nealmgb Posts: 79
    I have five cooks under my belt on a LBGE.  Steak, burgers, salmon, pork loin, and two pork butts.  Amazed at how the egg will hold temperatures steady for the low n slow pork butts.  Held at 270 for 10+ hours on two different pork butt cooks.  Cleaning out the ash and filling the fire bowl with new lump each time was the key.  After seeing how the egg holds temp for so long I don't see the need for a controller if you clean out and fill with new lump.  I did buy a Maverick during the $50 sale so I can cook overnight and not have to check temps periodically.      
    LBGE St. Louis MO
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  • Ladeback69
    Ladeback69 Posts: 4,484
    nealmgb said:

    I have five cooks under my belt on a LBGE.  Steak, burgers, salmon, pork loin, and two pork butts.  Amazed at how the egg will hold temperatures steady for the low n slow pork butts.  Held at 270 for 10+ hours on two different pork butt cooks.  Cleaning out the ash and filling the fire bowl with new lump each time was the key.  After seeing how the egg holds temp for so long I don't see the need for a controller if you clean out and fill with new lump.  I did buy a Maverick during the $50 sale so I can cook overnight and not have to check temps periodically.      




    Like and agree. Wish they would bring the buttons back.
    XL, WSM, Coleman Road Trip Gas Grill

    Kansas City, Mo.
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  • ryantt
    ryantt Posts: 2,558
    glad to hear the learning curve isn't to bag on BGE. I know it took a few cooks on my Ugly Drum Smoker to be able to hold temps for 16-18 hrs. I'm happy I've made the purchase and can't wait for them to deliver.
    XL BGE, KJ classic, Joe Jr, UDS x2 


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  • VC_Outlaw
    VC_Outlaw Posts: 47
    Welcome, for those of you in the Medina, OH area looking for a new lump source, there is a local farmer that sells lump located at route 42 and route 162.  He owns a catering company and buys it by the semi truck load and resells what he does not use.  Good lump, less smoky than RO and burns about the same.  From what I remember about the same price as RO.  Nice guy, still sells by the honor system.
    Valley City, Ohio
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  • mick7607
    mick7607 Posts: 85
    I've only had my bge for 1 week and I'm already regretting not doing this sooner. You'll see. I promise. Good deal on the XL IMO.
    Laurens,SC
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  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    mick7607 said:
    I've only had my bge for 1 week and I'm already regretting not doing this sooner. You'll see. I promise. Good deal on the XL IMO.
    We are retailers of the Egg, and this is the only regret we ever hear from our customers. We hear it at least several times a year.
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  • THEBuckeye
    THEBuckeye Posts: 4,232
    Isn't "least several" on Oxymoron?
    New Albany, Ohio 

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  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    THEBuckeye said:
    Isn't "least several" on Oxymoron?
    We hear it a minimum of several times a year.
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  • texaswig
    texaswig Posts: 2,682
    I'm a fan of the XL. You can cook for 2 or 3 or 30.Welcome to the forum. Post some cook pics or else!  :)

    2-XLs ,MM,blackstone,Ooni koda 16,R&V works 8.5 gallon fryer,express smoker and 40" smoking cajun 

    scott 
    Greenville Tx
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  • ryantt
    ryantt Posts: 2,558
    edited February 2015
    texaswig said:
    I'm a fan of the XL. You can cook for 2 or 3 or 30.Welcome to the forum. Post some cook pics or else!  :)
    As soon as I do my first cook I'll post, that way you guys can tell me what went wrong....lol.  Read online that you need to do a few cooks at 350 or less is this true. Also is the seasoning process the same as any other grill 
    XL BGE, KJ classic, Joe Jr, UDS x2 


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  • mahenryak
    mahenryak Posts: 1,324
    Welcome aboard!  My comment would be that managing your smoke is as important as managing you time and temps.  There is a lot of commentary to be found on this site regarding this topic.  Recapping, be sure to allow some time for the VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) to burn off before the actual cook.  Basically, you want the bad stuff that is unhealthy and that can add an undesirable flavor to your food to have a chance to leave the Egg before adding any items to be cooked.  Simple but important principle, IMHO. 


    LG BGE, KJ Jr, Smokin Bros. Premier 36 and Pizza Party Bollore



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  • jhl192
    jhl192 Posts: 1,006
    If I could only have one egg it would be an XL. It does it all and well.  Good luck.  I had Webers before and I have good memories are of them.  Can think of a reason I would use anything but my BGE's now. I usually cook for 4 and often 8-10. 
    XL BGE; Medium BGE; L BGE 
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  • ryantt
    ryantt Posts: 2,558
    mahenryak said:
    Welcome aboard!  My comment would be that managing your smoke is as important as managing you time and temps.  There is a lot of commentary to be found on this site regarding this topic.  Recapping, be sure to allow some time for the VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) to burn off before the actual cook.  Basically, you want the bad stuff that is unhealthy and that can add an undesirable flavor to your food to have a chance to leave the Egg before adding any items to be cooked.  Simple but important principle, IMHO. 


    Thanks for the suggestion, was thinking my first dry run of going at 300-350 for a full load of lump.  You think that's good enough....
    XL BGE, KJ classic, Joe Jr, UDS x2 


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  • grege345
    grege345 Posts: 3,515
    @ryantt I hope your going to put some food on sometime during that burn of loaded lump.  
    LBGE& SBGE———————————————•———————– Pennsylvania / poconos

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  • theyolksonyou
    theyolksonyou Posts: 18,459
    @grege345 speaks truth, don't waste the lump! 
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