Pit fans

Not being a smart guy, but why buy a $$$$ Big Green Egg when a $299 Weber will do the same exact thing? Riddle me that ... lol

fishlessman said:

SoCalTim said:

Not being a smart guy, but why buy a $$$$ Big Green Egg when a $299 Weber will do the same exact thing? Riddle me that ... lol

the reason i bought the egg was because it looked like a better kettle grill. i had no idea, there was no hype back then

Hey Fish, I know ... me too. Love my egg! Hope all is well with you! Tim 

Powak said:

I've been reading about pit fans like the Flame Boss and BBQ Guru and was just wondering what's the real advantage of using these devices over the eggs stock vents? I did a brisket a while back, set my daisy wheel to 50%, bottom vent to 1/8" and 21 hours later had the best beef brisket I've ever eaten. Didn't have to touch the vents once.

You can make this assessment about many things Egg and life related.  All in what the person wants.  

I have a cheap controller, Party Q for my over nighters.  I like having that peace of mind.  

I don't do overnighters anymore since switching to the turbo method, even at that if I'm busy I'll use my BBQ Guru to baby sit! Same way at Thanksgiving I use it since I'm busy and/or entertaining. Sure, a guy doesn't need one, but they are great for peace of mind!

A little confused right now, but no biggie.  

@stlcharcoal can hook you up.  You can order from Fire Craft too.  

I don't do overnighters, and I've never seen any need for a controller.  I find the temps on my Eggs very stable, though I don't think I'd want to start a fire and then go to bed.  For multiple reasons, really.  I always feel sort of sad when some newbie puts a Flame Boss or something like it on his list of "must have" accessories.

Powak said:

I've been reading about pit fans like the Flame Boss and BBQ Guru and was just wondering what's the real advantage of using these devices over the eggs stock vents? I did a brisket a while back, set my daisy wheel to 50%, bottom vent to 1/8" and 21 hours later had the best beef brisket I've ever eaten. Didn't have to touch the vents once.

Your a better man than I am.
I never can get the charcoal laid in such a way to automatically compensate for the changing draft characteristics caused by the charcoal being burned. 

Don't "need" it but, I own and occasionally utilize my Stoker. 

I used Eggs for 6 years before I ever bought one.  It's a personal preference thing.  I don't need it but it is nice insurance for overnights, when I'm busy, or when I have to be away from the house during a cook (wifi unit, can view and control it remotely).  We also use them at competitions - we have 4 kamados running plus doing other things so it helps out.

I always recommend using just manual vents for 6 months to a year before buying a controller.  You need to have a good understanding of the pit first.

There are a lot of folks on this forum that never use one and never had a problem with their cooks but it seems like about once a week someone is posting and looking for answers why their fire went out on an overnight cook. 

I have three gurus and the peace of mind when i set up the bge for a long term cook and knowing the temperature will be rock steady is priceless.  I check on it occaisonally but not constantly.  I will admit my egging skills arent to the point yet where i can set it and forget it without the crutch that a guru offers but hey maybe someday.   I have yet to get that consistent temperature maintained with just using the lower slider door and daisy wheel. I guess ill just have to keep practicing.....