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If you could do it all over again...

Cdm624
Cdm624 Posts: 52
in EggHead Forum
I know the discussion of the AR vs platesetter vs others has been beaten like a dead horse, but if you could start your egg accessory collection all over which one would you go with and why?

I'm picking up my egg on my birthday (24th) and I can get a platesetter (along with ash tool, grate lifter, bag of BGE charcoal and box of firestarters) for an additional $100. It seems like a no brainer but if the AR or another alternative is a better option I don't want to pay the extra $100 if I'd be happier with another option.

This won't be my first egg (previously owned an XL), and I plan on doing a lot of low and slow cooks but my wife also wants to use the egg to bake on and an outdoor oven. Plus we'll do the typical steaks and other higher heat cooks as well. We only cook for the 2 of us but we're both on high protein diets and like to cook for the whole week on the weekend since our schedules don't align during the week. 

Thanks for your help in advance and sorry about the long post.
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Comments

  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,109
    Get the AR.  You're obviously way too young to being on your second egg, so I think you must be Mark Zuckerberg or someone trolling us with a pseudonym.
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
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  • Cdm624
    Cdm624 Posts: 52
    nolaegghead said:
    Get the AR.  You're obviously way too young to being on your second egg, so I think you must be Mark Zuckerberg or someone trolling us with a pseudonym.
    Sold the first egg because it got to be too big of a hassle living in an apartment. 
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  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,109
    Personally, I'd get the XXL, build an apartment in it, then use the extra space for low and slows.  Although that seems like something scottie would say. With a seal of approval.
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
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  • Foghorn
    Foghorn Posts: 10,227
    I've done a lot of good cooks with the platesetter, but I know that pretty much everybody that has an AR has no use for a platesetter and they won't go back. The only reason I haven't gotten one is that I have 6 other grills and I like having excuses to use them so when I need more grill space than my XL provides I just light up another grill...

    So, if I were you I'd call Tom at the Ceramic Grill Store and talk to him about your needs - and get whatever he suggests. 

    XXL BGE, Karebecue, Klose BYC, Chargiller Akorn Kamado, Weber Smokey Mountain, Grand Turbo gasser, Weber Smoky Joe, and the wheelbarrow that my grandfather used to cook steaks from his cattle

    San Antonio, TX

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  • Cdm624
    Cdm624 Posts: 52
    nolaegghead said:
    Personally, I'd get the XXL, build an apartment in it, then use the extra space for low and slows.  Although that seems like something scottie would say. With a seal of approval.
    So who's trolling who here?

    Came here looking for insight and asked a legitimate question. Also I'm sorry you think I'm too young to own a green egg or two. Not exactly sure where you get off assuming my age in the first place. 
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  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,109
    I'm just messing with ya.  Get the AR.  I did not and I'm slightly regretful, although I do like to roll with the Macgyver lifestyle.  My playful age reference was related to your age, which I think you listed as 24.  Might be wrong there, so...anyway, that's my opinion and I am a practical person, I believe.  Opinions are only as good as where they come from and I am, if nothing else, practical.
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
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  • Foghorn
    Foghorn Posts: 10,227
    Don't mind Nola. He's one of the great enigmas of the group of misfits here. Nicest guy you'll ever meet. But he does occasionally do some late night drunken trolling like he did here. 

    XXL BGE, Karebecue, Klose BYC, Chargiller Akorn Kamado, Weber Smokey Mountain, Grand Turbo gasser, Weber Smoky Joe, and the wheelbarrow that my grandfather used to cook steaks from his cattle

    San Antonio, TX

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  • Cdm624
    Cdm624 Posts: 52
    nolaegghead said:
    I'm just messing with ya.  Get the AR.  I did not and I'm slightly regretful, although I do like to roll with the Macgyver lifestyle.  My playful age reference was related to your age, which I think you listed as 24.  Might be wrong there, so...anyway, that's my opinion and I am a practical person, I believe.  Opinions are only as good as where they come from and I am, if nothing else, practical.
    No worries. The 24 was in reference to the 24th of this month...Guess I should have made that a little more clear. 

    Back to the original ? I like the looks of the Woo with the plate setter the most. It seems like it would be super easy to add wood during long cooks. I discovered that I'm only 20 miles from ceramicgrillstore.com's retail location so I'm hearing there on Saturday to get some insight and possibly pick up one or the other in advance of my egg purchase.

    I'm also trying to decide if I want to wait on the AR or Woo and get a thermoworks Smoke instead. Way too many decisions to make and way too many accessories to choose from, I forgot how overwhelming it can get.
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  • Killit_and_Grillit
    Killit_and_Grillit Posts: 4,326
    I've got the Woo and love it. I have the Egg stone and the longer oval stone. I like the oval one better.

    i went back and forth picking one for weeks. But being able to yank everything out of your grill (stone and two racks of food) at once was worth it.  


    "Brought to you by bourbon, bacon, and a series of questionable life decisions."

    South of Nashville, TN

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  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,109
    I'd talk to Tom at the store.  He will point you in the right direction, having knowledge about all his products whilst most here cling on to what limited experience they have with what they have, which is much less.  Explain what you want to do, your budget, and what he recommends. 

    One thing that you should have, in grilling, and every endeavor, in my opinion, is a healthy dose of skepticism. 

    Welcome to the forum!  (PS - I am totally a troll after midnight, except for now, first time ever). 
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
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  • Photo Egg
    Photo Egg Posts: 12,137
    Cdm624 said:
    I can get a platesetter (along with ash tool, grate lifter, bag of BGE charcoal and box of firestarters) for an additional $100. 
    The Ash Tool, bag of lump and Grate Lifter "should" come free with every Egg. Don't play their games.
    You are paying $100 just for the Platesetter. Don't do it, buy the Adj Rig.
    Thank you,
    Darian

    Galveston Texas
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  • RedSkip
    RedSkip Posts: 1,400
    Get the Rib and brisket combo AR if you decide to go that route.
    Large BGE - McDonald, PA
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  • chuckytheegghead
    chuckytheegghead Posts: 1,201
    Another vote for the A/R. Provides the most versatility. The Woo is nice if you have the platesetter already.  
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  • Kent8621
    Kent8621 Posts: 843
    i have the adjustable rig for one of my eggs and after I get my table done, plan on getting one for the second one. I did go with the oval stone as someone suggested above and really like the way it preforms over the platesetter. 

    2 Large Eggs - Raleigh, NC

    Boiler Up!!

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  • GoooDawgs
    GoooDawgs Posts: 1,060
    I prefer the AR but with the BGE platesetter (legs cut to fit).   I like the extra surface area - but it may be comparable to the oval stone.  I just dont think the stones that come with the AR provide enough coverage for cooks with multiple proteins on the main grid.  
    Milton, GA 
    XL BGE & FB300
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  • BGnogin
    BGnogin Posts: 76
    I have my egg since December 2015.  About 5 months in I ordered the AR rib and brisket oval combo, with the extender.  I think I used the platesetter once since receiving the AR.
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  • SaintJohnsEgger
    SaintJohnsEgger Posts: 1,826
    I got the plate setter when I got my large. Then I got the PSWoo then the AR. I like,e options when cooking but mainly I go with the Woo for most cooks.  

    When I got the MiniMax I got the Woo and stone.

    only real advantage I see to the Platesetter is the legs help protect the probe wires.
    Marshall in Beautiful Fruit Cove, FL.
    MiniMax 04/17
    Unofficial BGE MiniMax Evangelist
    Facebook Big Green Egg MiniMax Owners Group


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  • Biggreenpharmacist
    Biggreenpharmacist Posts: 4,343
    I had a platesetter so I got the PSwoo and a spider. Platesetter broke so bought triangle piece and oval stone. Then grid extender. I love my setup and would buy the oval stone over platesetter every time. 

    Little Rock, AR

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  • sheetmetalpete
    sheetmetalpete Posts: 280
    Perhaps it's that I have no comparison to an AR or a Woo so I don't know what I'm missing but I'm quite content with my plate setter(s).  For me, a plate setter and a raised grid handles every situation I have encountered so far.
    Glencoe, Minnesota
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  • MattBTI
    MattBTI Posts: 417
    I've heard through my distributor that BGE is about to release a multi-grid system that compliments the convEggtor. He was hesitant to tell me anymore, only that It would be released in a couple  months.
    Pratt, KS
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  • MattBTI
    MattBTI Posts: 417
    something to keep in mind anyway.
    Pratt, KS
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  • SmokeyPitt
    SmokeyPitt Posts: 10,490
    MattBTI said:
    I've heard through my distributor that BGE is about to release a multi-grid system that compliments the convEggtor. He was hesitant to tell me anymore, only that It would be released in a couple  months.
    Interesting- too bad they couldn't release it in time for fathers day. 

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

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  • MattBTI
    MattBTI Posts: 417
    Agreed, or memorial day. Missing some big cook opportunities. Im holding out for it. At least gonna wait to see it.
    Pratt, KS
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  • abpgwolf
    abpgwolf Posts: 564
    I agree with getting the AR. Since your wife will be baking on the egg, consider getting two stones, one to use as a heat deflector and the other to use for baking only. That way drippings that get on the deflector won't affect the flavor of baked goods. The CGS has factory 2nd stones that perform just as well and are a lot less expensive (you have to ask for them).

    Lititz, PA – XL BGE

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  • Focker
    Focker Posts: 8,364
    edited June 2017
    I am glad I have, and use, both.  Platesetter for baking and some indirect, AR for low and slows, raised direct.
    Brandon
    Quad Cities
    "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."

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  • THEBuckeye
    THEBuckeye Posts: 4,232
    nolaegghead said:
    Personally, I'd get the XXL, build an apartment in it, then use the extra space for low and slows.  Although that seems like something scottie would say. With a seal of approval.
    No you wouldn't. 
    New Albany, Ohio 

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  • Mickey
    Mickey Posts: 19,768
    Get the Woo. Have 4 Eggs and all have AR's and Woos....
    Salado TX & 30A  FL: Egg Family: 3 Large and a very well used Mini, added a Mini Max when they came out (I'm good for now). Just given a Mini to add to the herd. 

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  • GrateEggspectations
    GrateEggspectations Posts: 11,580
    chuckytheegghead said:
    Another vote for the A/R. Provides the most versatility. The Woo is nice if you have the platesetter already.  
    @chuckytheegghead:Do you own an AR? Given you're in Canada, how did you end up procuring it? In my experience, shipping costs from CGS seemed quite high (especially when combined with ththe exchange). A while back, someone posted that BJ Country market distributes their products in Canada, but I have not looked into it further. 

    Given I run numeours Eggs, I've never liked the thought of making a modification to one that cannot be replicated on another, as I use the smaller and larger sizes interchangeably, to the extent possible. 
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  • Hans61
    Hans61 Posts: 3,901
    I think the AR and non big green egg components might ruin your warranty that's what babyback maniac said in a video 
    “There are three rules that I live by: never get less than twelve hours sleep; never play cards with a guy who has the same first name as a city; and never get involved with a woman with a tattoo of a dagger on her body.”
    Coach Finstock Teen Wolf
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  • SSQUAL612
    SSQUAL612 Posts: 1,186
    I bought the platesetter when I got my XL last October and now have the Adj Rig & Woo.    I haven't used the PS since getting the Adj Rig/Woo, but I plan on holding on to it for when I start experimenting with pizza.   
    Tyler, TX   XL BGE 2016, KJ Classic 2019,  MES, 18.5 WSM,  Akorn Jr,  36"&17" Black Stone, Adj Rig, Woo, Grill Grates, SS Smokeware Cap, KAB,  FB 300, Thermapen 
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