New XL!

So, after almost 8 years on a Bubba Keg Grill, I finally bought myself an XL BGE on New Years Eve.  My local dealer (an ACE Hardware store) had already assembled it, and I was able to load it up, bring it home, and cook that day.  The 'ol Bubba had started collecting water inside the shell, and rusting out at the base, as well as the firebox.  Metal grills.  Psssh.    I initially had my sights set on an XL back in 2009, but I got such a killer deal on a closeout on the Bubba, I could not resist ($299).  Prior to that I spent many years TRYING to smoke on a crappy Brinkmann and cooking on a Weber gas grill.  I actually ended up giving away my Weber Genesis, as it sat for years without use after my "conversion" back to charcoal and the Keg.  I have learned a lot since then about Kamado cooking, and the techniques I have put into practice seem to apply to the BGE as well, for the most part, with the notable exception of figuring out precise vent adjustments on the XL.  I found myself somewhat restricted by the 18" grid on some cooks, so I am positive the XL was the right move for me.

I am 3 cooks in, and temps have stayed rock solid each night - much more so than on my poor failing Keg of late...   I am still "breaking it in" so I am not straying much over 350.  Yet.  I did leg quarters (indirect with my L plate setter and 18" CI grate from the Bubba) the first night, pork tenderloin (indirect, but on the XL grate) the second night, and ABTs and Cornbread last night.  I put the cornbread in a cast iron pan and set it up on my L plate setter on the XL grate, and did the ABTs direct, but away from the "live" coals.  So awesome to be able to fit all of that EASILY on the grill! (Not a great pic - but you get the idea)



I have the following on the way - XL AR, XL Woo, 17.5" Stone, 20" grid, 16x20 oval, slide guides, Smokeware Cap, and a Thermopop.  Also, since I got the XL without Mates, I ordered a good sized prep table to go next to it.  I found the tables on the Bubba Keg too small for serious use, and the BGE Mates are not much bigger.  I got the Keter Unity XL from Amazon.  For a thermometer, I currently use an older Maverick ET-732, but will likely get some type of WiFi controller (Stoker WiFi, CyberQ, Flame Boss 200, whatever) eventually.  I used my Bubba several times a week, and expect to do the same with the XL.  Only bigger!

Happy to be a part of this community now after lurking about for the better part of a decade.  Ready to use the XL for life.

Regards to all-

Matt in SC