Weighing the In's and Out's

kindaquick · May 2015

Hey all. I don't post up here much at all, but I read an awful lot on here, and cook on my BGE even more.

The consideration:
I own a Medium BGE and enjoy the hell out of it. I have cooked everything from brisket, to shoulder, to ribs, to the ... - well, you name it. I have other charcoal grills, and am, indeed, quite addicted.

I just got back from Memphis in May WCBCC at the BGE sponsored VIPIT Pass Experience, and I'm stoked ... Yeah, obviously. My wife and I got to meet Lee Ann Whippen, and Ray "Dr. BBQ" Lampe - both of which are phenomenal cooks and great people to talk to. I have one addictive endeavor to kill or relish and here goes:

I need positives and negatives to buy an XLBGE. Money is not really an issue, but as usual, it is a high-contending consideration. Please let me know what you guys think. I am pretty well versed in BBQ at this point, but like all, enjoy the frequent brush with like-minded folk

The positives that I have come up with:
- If I want to have a massive pizza cook-off party, I think that I can get two 12" pies on two stones, not to mention the 18" stone that the BGE sells. Call me wrong on that one, I may be.

- I no longer have to battle dome height with the MBGE on larger cooks.

- If I have a large cookout I have the equipment.

- If I have a cookout that needs two temperatures, I have my "double oven" with 2 Eggs.

- Cooking space drastically improved. I do have other charcoal grills for pedestrian cooks like burgers and brats, etc., so that is not an issue for the record.

Negatives:
- Money is always a consideration.

- Most of the time that I cook, the MBGE has done the trick since it is usually my wife and me.

- 12" pizza is NP on my MBGE

- Theft (?). While remote, it's there... The gates are locked, good luck?

I welcome all comments. A lot of guys on here are way better and more into this than I am. I subscribe to the fact that I would post more if I were more into this. Seems like I am into a lot of things, but this - I'm pretty good at.

GL out there.

SGH · May 2015

In my experience, once a man starts eyeing something he might as well go ahead and buy it. Hence my ownership of several kamados and units 1 through 7. Trust me when I say go ahead and buy it. You can thank me after you get it

RRP · May 2015

Just the wife and I here too and when we were at the decision point 15+ years ago the XL wasn't even a glimmer in Ed Fisher's eye! So - our decision was to go with a Medium or spring for a Large. The helpful folks back then urged me to go Large and I'm glad I did. Just the same 3 months later I added a small. THAT to me has been our perfect combination. On top of that my small gets 60% of all my cooks even though since then we've added a Medium and a Mini!

Only YOU can and should justify an XL - if you want it get it - I'm just glad I never did! - But if you entertain a lot GO FOR IT!!!

kindaquick · May 2015

Thanks for the comments so far. I have to hope that I am making the right decision, everyone understands that

SGH · May 2015

kindaquick said:

I have to hope that I am making the right decision,

If you buy it, that's the right decision. Smokers are like guns, a man can never have to many.

yellowdogbbq · May 2015

Medium and XL would be a great setup, buy it.

DoubleEgger · May 2015

You can put a full packer brisket on a XL and keep it over the platesetter. That's reason enough.

stemc33 · May 2015

@kindaquick, sorry had to laugh, you said that you don't post here much. Yes, I agree, twice isn't much. Once again, sorry that I laughed. If you are at all worried about theft, go with the XL. It'll be harder to steal.

SGH · May 2015

stemc33 said:
If you are at all worried about theft, go with the XL. It'll be harder to steal.

That is certainly true brother stem.

Scottborasjr · May 2015

Giving that you have other grills in your arsenal I guess the only question is will you use it enough to justify the expense. I would love to have an XL but really can only see myself really using it maybe 4-6 times a year. So instead I have a Large, Medium and a Small. The Medium is my everyday cooker just like you. My Small gets more and more attention as I figure out how much I can actually cook on it. The Large at this point is for entertaining and big smokes.

Now if you entertain, smoke large cuts of meat consistently you will use it. I just haven't been able to justify to cost of the XL along with what I would need to outfit it with to use a few times a year.

Ozzie_Isaac · May 2015

My medium and XL combo is perfect for me. Plus, no matter your skill, you can't do this on your medium (6 butts) ...

ads75 · May 2015

You are on the wrong message board if you are looking for people to talk you out of it.

Reading your comments, its already justified, you may just want to wait for an eggfest or something to get a better price.

kindaquick · May 2015

Thanks for all the replies! I think that I will go with the XL. If I figure that it is a life-long investment in something that I love to do, it seems to make sense to buy it. I'm 37, so in theory, I should have many years with it.

@Ozzie_Isaac - That setup is awesome!

One further question, does anyone have experience with the Nest Handler? Is it a worth while addition? I was planning to get the Platesetter, Egg Nest, V-Rack, and Egg Mates. Just on the fence about the Nest Handler.

aukerns08 · May 2015

If you're going to put your nest on your patio/deck and not move it around much if at all then it's not really worth it. However the Nest Handler is a must in my mind if you're going to be moving your egg around a lot. It basically locks your egg into the nest giving you more stability to roll it and a handle to pull from in the back. I have one on my large as I keep the large in my garage and move it out to the driveway to cook with it so I'm moving it around every time I use it.

kindaquick · May 2015

I see. I probably won't be moving it much at all on my patio after I have it placed. If it does get moved, it will only be a few feet at a time. I guess if I want it bad enough, I can always get one after the initial purchase. Thanks for the info!

avibug · May 2015

Regarding the pizza cooks: I have an adjustable rig on the XL and have set it up with two pizzas going. One on the top round rack, one on the oval a few inches below it (so, both raised above the felt line). Worked great.

kindaquick · May 2015

@avibug so if I understand correctly, you can't get two 12" pie stones on the platesetter? Just want to be sure. I thought you could.

In addition, does anyone have experience with the XL baking stone? 18" size?

avibug · May 2015

I couldn't recall offhand what size my pizza stones are, but the Ceramic Grill Store has the measurements for the grates that go on the XL adjustable rig. The round grid that goes on the top level of the AR is 20" and the oval grid that you can slide onto the lower levels of the AR is 16x20. Website says that anything with a width of less than 16.5" can fit on the middle levels. So, a 12" stone should fit on any level of the AR. And you may fit a larger pizza stone on the top level.

Rickl · May 2015

@kindaquick, I have even more posts than you, almost into double digits, which gives me a lot of credibility around these parts. You mentioned that you had just gotten back from Memphis in May and are really stoked. If it were me, I would wait about a month and see if I was still stoked. They aren't going to quit making XLs between now and then.

Since you are so interested in pizza, have you checked out the Blackstone pizza oven? For the price of an XL, you could probably get a Large BGE and a Blackstone. P.S. I don't represent Blackstone or sell t-shirts.

kindaquick · May 2015

I will have to ponder this over a bit. There are pros and cons. In any event, thank you all for the comments and advice. It is well appreciated.

kindaquick14 · June 2015

Alright. I've since bought and am awaiting (lead-time to get all EggCessories) the XL BGE - ETA TBD. Lookin' forward to it. Since the Egg that I've bought comes with that composite Egg Handle (Stupid), I've taken it upon myself to resolve said situation. I've ordered a custom wood handle from AMLWOODART and it shall called:

Jörmungandr

GoldenQ · June 2015

The BGE PSXL is 21 in not 18. I just finished talking with the mothership on this today.

also ceramic grill store has one that is 17.5 in for 58$ vs the BGE XL at about 100. that said I will probably get the BGE on . it is cheaper from the Atlanta store plus shipping than at my local dealers

GoldenQ · June 2015

The SAN Antonio BGE rep for texas told me they have gone back to wood due to the continual fussing about cheaper look.

YukonRon · June 2015

When I made the decision to go BGE and start egging, I seriously considered everything of every size in the market. We are a family of 4, with a soon to be SIL, and a walking bottomless pit, also known as a teenage son. Our children's friends dine with us frequently, (much more now than ever) plus we host family events and twice a year, we host parties that usually have 40+ people.

i am glad I chose the XL.

For the nights where it will be just MBW and I, I bought the MM. I also plan to take it camping and tailgating. It is perfect for us.

The XL is a bit much for just the two of us, (like the next few days while children are at Bonnaroo.) We will be doing the MM thing, and enjoying some peace.

The only thing I do not like about the XL is the fit of the dome. In less than four months, of very frequent use, it no longer fits correctly to the base due to a noticeable "underbite" that others on this forum have indicated they have had extreme difficulty in correcting, and keeping it that way.

I love my BGEs. The only way they will leave is when someone pulls them from my blistered, but nicely done, wood smoked, hands, after I die.

It will probably be the children.

GlennM · June 2015

I have a large and a joe jr. This is perfect for us. What I get from your comments is you like pizza? Buy a blacksone and you will be in pizza heaven!

kindaquick · June 2015

Yes, I do enjoy the pizza

One of my favorite things on the Egg. I did order the 21" baking stone. It was a little under $64. Can't wait for this thing. Drats on the composite handle. Pissed me off a bit that I had to spend an extra $50 right now, but it was one of those things that OCD wouldn't let go.

Weighing the In's and Out's

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