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green egg size and offset smoker

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -0001 in EggHead Forum
Hi. I've been hooked on bbq after attending one of dr. bbq's classes in illinois a few years ago and I know he's a BGE guy to boot![p]I purchased a cajun grill http://www.cajungrill.com/ the 34x21" with the offset smoker. I'm very happy w/ the bbq off of this unit but find that it's such an event/ordeal to smoke that I don't do it but like once a month and when I do, I load it up as it's no more work to fill the grill.[p]I thought when I bought it, I'd grill a lot on the cajun, but it takes at a full chimney of charcoal to heat up the grill and charcoal re-use is almost non existent cause it doesn't seal when you shut it down.[p]So, I'm looking at the small/medium sized BGE. That seems to be what the people trying to conserve charcoal when grilling and have a unit that heats up quickly, favor (most also had a large BGE already). I've got the cajun smoker for big cooks, but lean towards the medium so I can try smoking in this unit for small gatherings as well. Staying up all night long tending the firebox on the offset isn't my idea of fun, though I do it when entertaining large parties, which we do every other month or so.[p]What do you think? Small Medium Large? Other words of wisdom from users who have an offset or have converted completely to a BGE. How's the que compare? How's the grilling on the BGE?[p]Most stuff I've read on this forum say just buy the large and then a small later. I'm not sure I can stay married if I do that :). I'd really love to own a klose offset some day as well, but that's another thread and not having much luck convincing the wife about the virtues of learning to que on multiple pits...[p]Thanks in advance.[p]JJ
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Comments

  • tach18k
    tach18k Posts: 1,607
    JJ Urich,
    Go large, you can put something small on a large, but you can something large on a small. You dont have to worry about wasting lump either
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  • Rollocks
    Rollocks Posts: 576
    I have an offset smoker and then purchased an XL Big Green Egg. I never use the old offset anymore. I use the XL exclusively. It is so much easier to control the temperature on. If I were you I would consider nothing smaller than the the Large. My XL does not use that much Lump. I grill 2-3 times a week and slow cook 1-3 times a month and go through 12-20 lbs a month. Also if you live where it gets cold, you can slow cook a lot easier in the winter.
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  • Swing Oil
    Swing Oil Posts: 4
    JJ Urich,
    Get a Large! It gives you a lot more options. You will never regret it.
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  • poqal
    poqal Posts: 53
    JJ Urich,[p]We started with a large. Then came the Eggbert, the mini. We added Egg #3 - a small - a few months after that. I recommend starting with the large. After the spouse has a few meals off your first BGE, she'll be asking you which size Egg is next.[p]Diana

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  • Toy Man
    Toy Man Posts: 416
    Get the large.[p]You do not have to stay up all night to smoke.[p]All egg's grill GREAT.[p]Toy Man
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  • drbbq
    drbbq Posts: 1,152
    JJ Urich,[p]You won't use the cajun anymore so you might as well sell it now. The BBQ Forum has a buy-sell place that's pretty active. Then buy a large egg with all the options. You'll never miss the cajun.
    Ray Lampe Dr. BBQ
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  • Unknown
    Unknown
    JJ Urich,[p]So, it sounds like the large is the way to go. Thanks for the advice.[p]By the way Dr. BBQ. Tried your beer can chicken receipt sans beer can on the cajun this weekend and it was awesome. Great ideat about skipping the can and just using all of the ingredients in the cake pan. Chicken like that makes me want to grill a lot more! Love the book. [p]Oh, and I do live where it gets cold (iowa), so smoking/bbq'ing in the cold is a plus if it is easier on the BGE.[p]Can't wait to get started. Will post again once I've had my first cook out on the BGE.[p]Cheers,[p]JJ
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  • ChefRD
    ChefRD Posts: 438
    JJ Urich,
    Smoking in cold weather is no problem. I live in MI. and I have made PP at zero degrees and the only differences were, I had on a lot more clothing, and the bottom vent on the egg was slightly more open. Instead of around 1/32 inch opening, maybe more like 1/16 to keep the 225~240 degrees dome. Other than that, everything is the same.[p]The weather affects me more than it does my Eggs. ;)
    HTH,
    ron.
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  • BabyBoomBBQ
    BabyBoomBBQ Posts: 703
    JJ Urich,[p]I'm another advocate for a large.
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  • drbbq
    drbbq Posts: 1,152
    JJ Urich,[p]Thanks for the nice words and welcome to egg life.
    Ray Lampe Dr. BBQ
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