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Must have accessories?

BigGreenVOL
BigGreenVOL Posts: 81
in EggHead Forum
What are some must haves?  So far I have the plate setter and digiQ(going to do a few cooks without it first).  Mine came with a nest and shelfs on both sides.  Also included the thing to move the coals/ash around and the tool to lift the grate.  What are some others I need to get?
Nashville, TN and huge Tennessee Vols fan
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  • GATraveller
    GATraveller Posts: 8,207
    edited March 2015
    Thermapen - and welcome!!

    "Social media gives legions of idiots the right to speak when they once only spoke at a bar after a glass of wine, without harming the community [...] but now they have the same right to speak as a Nobel Prize winner. It's the invasion of the idiots."
                                                                                  -Umberto Eco

    2 Large
    Peachtree Corners, GA
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  • swordsmn
    swordsmn Posts: 683
    Starting cubes  or my preference, a portable MAPP torch I got from HD
    Good quality Welders gloves or ORCA mitt(s) 
    LBGE, AR.  Lives in N.E. ATL
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  • BigGreenVOL
    BigGreenVOL Posts: 81
    I have an instant read pen(only cost like $15), is a thermapen that much better/accurate?  Also some fire starters came with my egg but I ordered some more on amazon for $15 for 144 squares.


    I had a propane torch to get my charcoal going on my old grill but the firestarters are doing great.  I guess welders gloves to remove the platesetter?  That could be useful.
    Nashville, TN and huge Tennessee Vols fan
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  • THEBuckeye
    THEBuckeye Posts: 4,232
    A wrench for the band bolts!


    New Albany, Ohio 

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  • swordsmn
    swordsmn Posts: 683
    edited March 2015
    That Thermopen  is fast (like 3 secs)  and is very popular here.  If yours is accurate & fast enough  you're good to go.     Fast reading is good tho so you don't leave top up too long  stoking the temp up.
    LBGE, AR.  Lives in N.E. ATL
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  • Fireman_Joe
    Fireman_Joe Posts: 298
    edited March 2015
    Thermapen & Adjustable Rig, figure what you will be cooking and search to see what accessories are available. I have bought some on a whim and ended up throwing a couple in the trash !
    Gambrills,Maryland

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  • swordsmn
    swordsmn Posts: 683
    Don't go too accessory crazy  (as I admit to have done)  until you do several to many cooks,  then you're reading on this forum will have you  accessory crazed lol.  Simpler is better for starts on a platform new to you.
    LBGE, AR.  Lives in N.E. ATL
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  • Legume
    Legume Posts: 15,936
    edited March 2015
    I have a cheaper digi thermometer, but I did spend ~ $30.  I've seen some of the cheap ones that are both very inaccurate and take a long time to register the temp.  if you have to wait too long you have to leave the dome up, you don't get good readings, etc.  So check yours at least with boiling water and then decide if it comes up to temp quickly enough.

    a way to raise the grid to get higher into the dome for cooking some things is very helpful.  some people do this by buying a full system like the AR from CGS, some make their own raised grid with bricks, some with nuts and bolts, but some things cook better higher in the dome.
    THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER
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  • jonnymack
    jonnymack Posts: 627
    I personally find the electric starter to be a great addition. Haven't tried the blowtorch methodology yet utilized by many. With the plate setter you are well on your way. I would also suggest some type of grill extender and/or rib rack.
    Firing up the BGE in Covington, GA

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  • jtcBoynton
    jtcBoynton Posts: 2,814
    The Thermapen reads very quickly and accurately. The probe is sharp and is a small diameter (doesn't leave large holes in your meat). I haven't seen any of the cheap "instant read" thermometers that really read instantly. In the long term, it really is worth getting a Thermapen. I've had mine for almost 8 years now and it still works fine.
    Southeast Florida - LBGE
    In cooking, often we implement steps for which we have no explanations other than ‘that’s what everybody else does’ or ‘that’s what I have been told.’  Dare to think for yourself.
     
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  • mgd_egg
    mgd_egg Posts: 476
    Accessories are a slippery slope.  I think I'm averaging 2 or 3 per month since buying mine.  I use the following the most, in no particular order:

    Maverick 733 remote read thermometer
    Grill Heat Aid gloves
    Lavatools Thermowand
    My homemade raised grid for raised direct grilling
    Lg & MM BGE, Humphrey’s Battle Box | Palatine, Illinois  
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  • Walt2015
    Walt2015 Posts: 583
    I made a homemade raised grid ($18) helps a lot with ribs and wings getting to cook on 2 levels. Most like the AR but I was hesitant to drop another 150 since I got the plate setter to start off with too. 


    Memphis, TN ----> Chattanooga, TN
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  • Dobie
    Dobie Posts: 3,458
    Get a Woo so you can cook at the gasket level. 
    Jacksonville FL
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  • mgd_egg
    mgd_egg Posts: 476
    My raised grid is similar to @Walt2015 's.  It's a good way to start out if you're frugal like me.
    Lg & MM BGE, Humphrey’s Battle Box | Palatine, Illinois  
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  • NCEggSmoker
    NCEggSmoker Posts: 336
    THEBuckeye said:
    A wrench for the band bolts!


    Good call on that one. My must haves:  
    1 quick read thermometer
    2heavy duty aluminum foil
    3 16 inch oxi tongs.

    Many other awesome accessories like the AR, controllers, smoke ware cap, cast iron...etc, but I always use those three. 
    Raleigh NC, Large BGE and KJ Joe Jr.
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  • cookn biker
    cookn biker Posts: 13,407
    http://www.ceramicgrillstore.com/  call Tom and he will listen to your needs and guid you well. He is an Egger too.    Welcome.
    Molly
    Colorado Springs
    "Loney Queen"
    "Respect your fellow human being, treat them fairly, disagree with them honestly, enjoy their friendship, explore your thoughts about one another candidly, work together for a common goal and help one another achieve it."
    Bill Bradley; American hall of fame basketball player, Rhodes scholar, former U.S. Senator from New Jersey
    LBGE, MBGE, SBGE , MiniBGE and a Mini Mini BGE
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  • DaveRichardson
    DaveRichardson Posts: 2,324
    @STLCharcoal is a good source for info as well.  Then there's your neighbor in Mufreesboro, @Henapple......  Everybody's favorite Uncle Henapple!!!!!

    LBGE since 2014

    Griffin, GA 

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  • BigGreenVOL
    BigGreenVOL Posts: 81
    I just ordered this thermapen

    Nashville, TN and huge Tennessee Vols fan
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  • Nanook
    Nanook Posts: 846
    The lime green one is faster...... ;)
    GWN
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  • swordsmn
    swordsmn Posts: 683
    lol My RED one can take your lime green!
    LBGE, AR.  Lives in N.E. ATL
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  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    edited March 2015
    I'm trying to think of the ones I actually use. Thermapen, but I wish they made the Thermapop when I bought it. $30ish instead of $90+. Some carriage bolts to raise a second grid for direct cooks. Maybe some bricks to raise a pizza stone up higher in the dome. Welders gloves (occasional use only, but when you need em you need em). Grid lifter of some sort (I use one of those three pronged hand rakes from my garden-two prongs broke off, still works great). Ash tool. Wiggle rod. Platesetter. Pizza stone. 

    Things I have but never or rarely use... Maverick, spider, DigiQ. I do like the DigiQ, I just don't use it as often as I thought I would. The other two. No thanks. 

    I would suggest taking your time and making do for a while. See how it goes and then decide what you need. 

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

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  • BigGreenVOL
    BigGreenVOL Posts: 81
    oh ya I also bought a mini shop vac yesterday to vacuum out the ash
    Nashville, TN and huge Tennessee Vols fan
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  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    BigGreenVOL said:
    oh ya I also bought a mini shop vac yesterday to vacuum out the ash
    Be sure the lump is stone COLD before using that. Can take a long time!!! I've used my vac 2-3 times. In 5+ years!!  LOL

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

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  • BigGreenVOL
    BigGreenVOL Posts: 81
    Carolina Q said:
    BigGreenVOL said:
    oh ya I also bought a mini shop vac yesterday to vacuum out the ash
    Be sure the lump is stone COLD before using that. Can take a long time!!! I've used my vac 2-3 times. In 5+ years!!  LOL
    just planned on doing it before every few cooks, not after
    Nashville, TN and huge Tennessee Vols fan
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  • SmokeyPitt
    SmokeyPitt Posts: 10,490
    BigGreenVOL said:
    Carolina Q said:
    BigGreenVOL said:
    oh ya I also bought a mini shop vac yesterday to vacuum out the ash
    Be sure the lump is stone COLD before using that. Can take a long time!!! I've used my vac 2-3 times. In 5+ years!!  LOL
    just planned on doing it before every few cooks, not after
    If your vac will switch from suck to blow you can use it to stoke the fire during start up.  I did this for the first time yesterday with a full size shop vac.  I couldn't believe how fast the fire got rolling.  Props to @DMW for that tip. 

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

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  • SGH
    SGH Posts: 28,989
    I will share my humble thoughts on the matter. A good instant read thermometer is a great accessory. The brand is not as important as quality and accuracy. Most like the thermopen I however favor the Tempest but to each his own. A way to go indirect. It really doesn't have to be expensive just practical. The AR is a popular option but I favor the Woo and plate setter for my style of cooking. For the record I have one of each, AR & Woo. The Woo and setter get used 99 percent of the time. Again, just my preference. A good set of gloves for moving and handling hot items. In my opinion, to get the most out of your egg, a indirect set and a way to handle hot items are darn near a must. Everything else is a luxury and just makes cooking more enjoyable and easier. You could argue that you don't even need a indirect set up but you are kind of defeating the purpose of having a cooker if you limit its capabilities to direct only. Again, instant read thermometer, indirect set up and good gloves. These 3 things will get you off to a great and pain free start.

    Location- Just "this side" of Biloxi, Ms.

    Status- Standing by.

    The greatest barrier against all wisdom, the stronghold against knowledge itself, is the single thought, in ones mind, that they already have it all figured out. 

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  • fljoemon
    fljoemon Posts: 757
    I found that a welders glove is not enough to handle a very hot platesetter while cooking pizza. I caved and bought an Ove Glove from amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Ove-Glove-Surface-Handler-Pack/dp/B001EPR98Q) and now I wear this and then stick the welders glove on top of this to handle the platesetter.

    I too have a PSWoo2 from the Ceramic Grill Store which is great to move the platesetter in & out while doing low & slow. The handles makes it extremely easy to pull everything out.

    I did go accessory crazy and bought many things that are still in the box (looftlighter/baking steel/cast iron platesetter).

    BTW .. I think the most important accessory I got was the Thermapen .. my cooks have improved tremendously just by cooking to temperature and not just winging it by cooking to time.
    LBGE & Mini
    Orlando, FL
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  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    Interesting about the glove love. I have a pair of welders gloves right next to my large. Been Sittin there for 5+ years. I also have hot pads and a couple of other types of gloves. Almost never use any of em. Rarely need to handle hot grill parts. 

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

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  • Eggcelsior
    Eggcelsior Posts: 14,414
    @Carolina_Q want to sell your spider?
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  • Eggcelsior
    Eggcelsior Posts: 14,414
    @SGH, did you mean TempTest? If so, I didn't even know they made it. I was about to get the backlit Thermapen but I'll do the former instead, since I'm a lefty(auto-rotating display AND backlight)
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