How portable is the small BGE?

diceman · March 2007

I am torn between getting a mini or a small. I have the large and no complaints, but I'd like to be able to take the BGE taste on trips and to office cookouts and wanted some feedback on how easily it is to move the small around. also, has anyone modified their small BGE to make it more portable?

CampCook · March 2007

Diceman,
How portable? Depends on what you are doing. I am average build and strength and can carry the the small around my house to set in the back of the pickup - but it is a strain. If there are ladies around it makes you look macho.[p]My rule on eggs is , " always go with the biggest you can use or handle." We have both the small and mini (as well as a large) but i definitely prefer the versatility of the small and anything larger over the mini.
Dave

Spring Chicken · March 2007

Diceman,
I got a small so I could take it places. Then I made a transporter that also serves as a table when I get there.[p][p]A quick flip and insert the legs and it becomes a full BBQ Center.[p][p]Note the feet on the legs. And the "wings", and the Egg hole. LOL[p]Worked like a champ at Lawn Ranger's Fredericksburg Bash a couple of years ago.[p][p]I cooked non stop on it for about seven hours.[p]Spring "Small Egg Will Travel" Chicken
Spring Texas USA

egret · March 2007

Diceman,
Go with the small. Mine is sitting in the back of my Explorer as we speak preparing to head for the Florida fest in Ocala. I use this device for carrying and stabilizing in the vehicle :

Flashback Bob · March 2007

Diceman,
I was debating the same thing. Wanted a mini for the ease of transport, but finally realized that if I was cooking for any more than two people, the mini would be too small.[p]So the small will be my next Egg. [p]the question now is "when?"

mikeb6109 · March 2007

Diceman,
must be pretty portable!!!! got mine last week and it ended up on my parents deck!!! [p]mike

Love Handles · March 2007

Diceman,
I take my small in the motorhome all the time, in fact, it lives in there all the time. I have another small for my outdoor kitchen. If it to heavy for you to move, take the parts out of it, put them in a trash bag and then its easier to move. I also have a mini, but its really only good for small stuff. See-Yaa

stike · March 2007

Diceman,
i got mine and took it to the lake for a week. i can't imagine cooking ribs on the mini like we did, but then again, i don't have a mini, so i'm biased.[p]i loaded it easily in the car (small sedan, family of four. lotta kid stuff) and it was worth whatever room it may have cost us in additional luggage.[p]i take it to tailgate sometimes, and it will handle all the steaks for a 'crowd' of 6 adults, plus apps beforehand.[p]if i'm alone, i might take the guts out and move it in two trips. if the chicks are around, i hoist it up and stand it on my shoulder. hahaha if you bend at the knees and lift it correctly, it's probably just at the limit where you need to really be careful. i did strain my back on it, on vacation. but that's what gin and lakes are for.[p]here's the inaugural cook at the lake. [p][p]and here's a WEEK'S worth of ash. as fishless says, it's a lump-miser.[p][p]this is how it's packed for a game, note that trash bag. i put the bag in place, drop the egg in, and gather the open end under the daisy. keeps it from rattling, AND keeps any smoke smell or ash from getting in the wife's car.[p]hell hath no fury like a meat-fed women with a stinky car.[p][p]and now for a confession. though the small is a sear-master, i find i can hit 700-800 in my large in about a THIRD to half the time. there's just so much more draft.[p]but i love the small. in the summer, it gets 80% of the cooks for my family of four

Celtic Wolf · March 2007

stike,[p] Isn't that cute.. It has a rain coat!![p]

City Slicker · March 2007

Spring Chicken,
Hey I have the same hammock ! Ultra cool transporter

stike · March 2007

Spring Chicken,
how stable is that?[p]looks like a risky set-up on those legs. they may not have enough strength in them if the corner gets bumped. seems like it could spin and go down, or that the legs might fold digonally if bumped. she really sturdy?

Spring Chicken · March 2007

stike,
Sturdy as a rock. The legs enter the bottom through holes with very little slack and lock into place in corner blocks made special for that purpose. There are clawed feet on each of the legs. As for the Egg itself, it sits majestically upon three ceramic feet that have been based with a sheet of rubber cut to the same size and assuring a good grip to the surface. The “wings” flip up and two braces swing out and lock into place. The wings are painted with bright eye-catching colors to announce its presence. There is a Lawn Ranger Tool Rack on the back where an assortment of shiny LR Tools via for the opportunity to perform magic in the cooking process. The Transporter/Kitchen is surrounded by chests filled with food and an observant Cook filled with rum and armed with both spatula and tongs. Although there were many who wished to discuss its construction there were more who waited patiently for the food cooking on the Egg it supported. Naaaaa! It’s safer than a BGE Nest.[p]Spring “Eggineered Contraption” Chicken[p]

AlaskanC · March 2007

Hey Leroy - that is exactly what I want to build for my small! I was drawing out the design yesterday, but I could have saved myself some time by copying you!

Spring Chicken · March 2007

City Slicker,
Thank you. The hammock is my Sweetie's. The frame has since been replace with in-ground posts.[p][p]The Transporter/Cooking Center will probably not be used again as I move my Small into a permanent home.[p]Spring "Beam Me Up Scotty" Chicken

Spring Chicken · March 2007

AlaskanC,
Well now, I'll just add some close up photos and you'll be ready to make some sawdust.[p]Here's how I secured the legs in the corners.[p][p]Here's how I lock the "wings" into place.[p][p]I lined the Egg Hole with felt and glued some cork to cushion the Egg.[p][p]The legs are closet rods.[p][p]As for materials, I used some leftover MDF plywood. I left it out in the rain and now it's ruined. If I was making another one I would select different material, possibly some cedar or cypress and just glue up the top and bottom to make a full-size sheet.[p]Size is easy to figure out.[p]I also would probably drill four smaller holes in the corners to insert some easily removable wheels to move it from my truck to where I'm cooking, then remove the wheels, flip the transporter, install the legs and make it a kitchen.[p]If you need anymore info just ask.[p]Send us a photo or two of yours.[p]Spring "Hit'n Miss Sawdust Maker" Chicken

stike · March 2007

Spring Chicken,
coolio, julio.[p]i was afraid they were sorta just screwed in a little. you can imagine how quick that'd come crashing down.[p]fancy rig, by the way. you are stylin', yo.

hayhonker · March 2007

Spring Chicken,
"Well....I guess da f!@#in things sturdy"[p]Reminds me of that scene from My Cousin Vinny

BBQ Gypsy · March 2007

<p />Diceman,[p]I made a nest to carry our small BGE around in our motorhome. The small has been a great size for us. The mini is too small. I can do many things with this size egg.[p]I do have large BGE envy though![p]

diceman · March 2007

Thanks everyone, that really helps. I was considering the Mini, but think now the Smallis the one to go with. I reaaly appreciate the photos in the car, etc. The cart is amazing Spring Chicken!

Unknown · July 2009

Hey, Very nice, we were wondering where we could store it in our motorhome.
Do you keep it in the basement?

Unknown · July 2009

Nice, do you store it in the basement when you travel? I have been worried about it braking or turning over.

How portable is the small BGE?

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