Welcome to the EGGhead Forum - a great place to visit and packed with tips and EGGspert advice! You can also join the conversation and get more information and amazing kamado recipes by following Big Green Egg to Experience our World of Flavor™ at:
Want to see how the EGG is made? Click to Watch
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Youtube | Vimeo
Share your photos by tagging us and using the hashtag #BigGreenEgg.
Share your photos by tagging us and using the hashtag #BigGreenEgg.
Want to see how the EGG is made? Click to Watch
Upcoming Egg purchase, confirmation/suggestions
Options
Chad
Posts: 35
I’ll be getting a large Egg either this weekend, if my schedule allows, or next weekend.
I’m looking at a local place that is new to the Egg and I believe they have a pretty good package deal. It includes:
Large Egg
Nest
Mates
Plate setter
Dual function top & ceramic top (both standard?)
and whatever the basics are that actually come with the Egg (not really sure)
Pricing is $850
First off, is that a fair price? I’m most likely going to pay it anyways (as long as it isn’t over inflated [which I doubt]), but getting feedback is always nice on a sizable purchase. Sizable for me at least, I started looking at $400 propane grills, and then remembered about the egg and slowly sold my wife on it before giving her sticker shock with the price :laugh: In the end I did well and she didn’t freak out about doubling our budget for a grill.
Second, what are the core accessories needed for grilling, smoking and the essentials for my first cook. My list has on it:
Grate lifter
Ash tool
Coal & wood chips/chunks
MAAP torch
I already have the utensils, drip pans and pizza stone
Are there any other obvious basics that I’m missing (besides the meat) for the first cook; most likely burgers so I can learn the temp controls and not waste good meat?
Thanks in advance
I’m looking at a local place that is new to the Egg and I believe they have a pretty good package deal. It includes:
Large Egg
Nest
Mates
Plate setter
Dual function top & ceramic top (both standard?)
and whatever the basics are that actually come with the Egg (not really sure)
Pricing is $850
First off, is that a fair price? I’m most likely going to pay it anyways (as long as it isn’t over inflated [which I doubt]), but getting feedback is always nice on a sizable purchase. Sizable for me at least, I started looking at $400 propane grills, and then remembered about the egg and slowly sold my wife on it before giving her sticker shock with the price :laugh: In the end I did well and she didn’t freak out about doubling our budget for a grill.
Second, what are the core accessories needed for grilling, smoking and the essentials for my first cook. My list has on it:
Grate lifter
Ash tool
Coal & wood chips/chunks
MAAP torch
I already have the utensils, drip pans and pizza stone
Are there any other obvious basics that I’m missing (besides the meat) for the first cook; most likely burgers so I can learn the temp controls and not waste good meat?
Thanks in advance
Comments
-
The price sounds reasonable but in our area the ash tool & grate gripper are standard. Get your best deal but stay with a reputable dealer. The relationship will be long lasting. My dealer & I have become good friends (he sends me about $200K worth of remodels a year & I pay more for lump). Just hook up with a dealer you trust.
Pat -
I'd skip the MAPP torch. You can use a twisted napkin containing vegetable oil. Grate lifter is nice but not essential. I'd put the savings toward a probe thermometer so you can tell when things are done without lifting the lid.
-
I would consider getting the cast iron grate.
-
You also might consider building an Egg table for your large rather than the nest and mates. The $100 or so that you save would go a long way towards the materials. The plans on nakedwhiz.com are strightforward and simple.
-
That is about what I paid for a new large with some toys at the florida fest next month.
This list might help for the near and long term planing.
BGE, Eggcessories
What would you say are the things I need to get going after I get the egg?
ADULT BEVERAGES, LOT OF, YOUR CHOICE
Alcohol Wipes, J Appledog, 06/20/07
Aluminum Foil/Pans
Aprons
Ash Removal Tool
Ash Removal Metal Bucket, Beware Of Hot Ashes
Bags, Trash/Ziploc, J Appledog, 06/20/07
Bear Claws, http://kentuckyrebelbbq.homestead.com
BBQ Guru, http://www.thebbqguru.com/, 10 CFM
Batteries, Spare, J Appledog, 06/20/07
Beer Opener, J Appledog, 06/20/07
Billy Bar, http://www.billybar.com/
Bleach
Brushes, Basting, J Appledog, 06/20/07
Bottle Opener/Corkscrews, J Appledog, 06/20/07
Butcher Twine
Camera, Digital
Ceramic Dome Cover
Ceramic Feet
Chairs, Comfortable
CHARCOAL, LOTS OF
Champagne & Wine Stoppers, J Appledog, 06/20/07
Citronella Candles
Containers, Large Plastic For Storage
Cookbooks, Drbbq, http://www.drbbq.com
Cooler
Cutting Boards
Daisy Wheel Cover
Dish Rags/Soap
Duct Tapenade
Dutch Oven, 5 Qt Small, 5 or 7 Qt for Large
Extension Cord
Fire Extinguisher, J Appledog, 06/20/07
Fire Starter, Chimney
Fire Starter, Cubes
Fire Starter, Electric
Fire Starter, Torch, MAPP
First Aid Kit, J Appledog, 06/20/07
Flashlights/Batteries
Flower Pots, Clay For Bread
Fork, Large, J Appledog, 06/20.07
Food Saver & Bags
Gasket, Extra, High Heat
Gloves, Orka Silicon Mitt/Welders Leather
Gloves, Rubber/Food Handler Safety, J Appledog, 06/20/07
Grate, Cast Iron Cooking
Grate Mates, For Small, Chubby
Grate Extender
Grater, Cheese
Grid Cleaning Tool, Billy Bar
Grid Lifter
Grill Light, If you do not have lights in cooking area
Hand Cleaner, J Appledog, 06/20/07
Hole-e Smokes Silicon Mats, http://www.thebbqguru.com
Ice Chest
Injector, J Appledog, 06/20/07
JB Weld, For Ceramic Repairs
Knife Sharpener, J Appledog, 06/20/07
Knives, Good Set
Lawn Chairs
Lawn Ranger Tools, http://www.lawnrangerbbq.com
Light, Head, J Appledog, 06/20/07
Light, Flashlight
Light, Table
Matches, Cigarette Lighter
Meat Slicer
Meat Grinder
Nest
Pan, Cast Iron
Paper Plates/Towels- Plastic Utensils
Paper, Toilet, Several Rolls depending on Situation
Pepper/Salt, J Appledog, 06/20/07
Pizza Baking Stone
Pizza Peel
Plank, Cedar, J Appledog, 06/20/07
Plate Setter
Pot, Cataplana
Q-Tips, J Appledog, 06/20/07
Rain Cap
Recipe Database Manager, Living Cookbook
Rack, Extended
Rib Rack
Rubber Bands, J Appledog, 06/20/07
Rubs/Spices, http://www.dizzypigbbq.com/rubs.html
Salt/Pepper, J Appledog, 06/20/07
Screen, Safety
Sharpie Marker
Sink, Kitchen Type, Hank, 06/04/07
Spatula, Rubber, J Appledog, 06/20/07
Spring Hinge
Spoon, Wooden, J Appledog, 06/20.07
Sugar, Brown, White, Turbindo, J Appledog, 06/20/07
Table
Thermometer, Dome
Thermometer, Meat
Thermometer, Polder/Mavrick, Remote Read
Thermometer, Thermapen, Instant Read
Tongs, OXO, Extra Long
Tool, Leatherman Type, J Appledog, 06/20/07
Toothpicks, J Appledog, 06/20.07
Towels, Dish/Paper, J Appledog, 06/20/07
V-Rack
Weed Burner
Wet Wiper
Wire Brush
Wok & Wok Ring, Sandbagger
Wood Chips, Various Flavors: Apple, Cherry, Mesquite, Oak, Etc.
Ziplocs, Various Sizes, J Appledog, 06/20/07
Woody Wiggle Rod, Thirdeye, 06/04/07
ToddM
1 My BGE pack included an ash tool and grid lifter, which are not just important, but practically indispensable, so I'll just assume that those are already there, along with the daisy wheel cover, dome thermometer, spring hinge, ceramic feet, and (maybe even) nest
2 I've had my Large for a few years now, and when my brother and I got my Dad his for Christmas, the "essential extras" I knew to get were: The tables (Eggmates?) - really, I HATED using a big table, and these fold down, are handy, etc. V-rack for roasts, poultry, etc. - I hardly ever use it for ribs, but there is so much else that it's good for ...
3 Plate setter - this should be part of the standard-issue Egg; it's indispensable, OXO tongs - the extra-long kind; Raised grid - the parts in stanless + a smaller Weber replacement grill add up to just a bit less than the BGE version (but it folds, IIRC) nice, but luxuries:
4 Polder/Maverick, etc. thermometer with cabled probe (some will argue about the "luxury" part, but a good quick-read thermometer should already be in your kitchen drawer - if not, this goes to "essential")
5 Pizza stone; pizza's great from the Egg, but I find making pizza a HUGE hassle, and not as fun/relaxing as most other stuff; "Orka" silicon mitt - it *does* look like a predator, but it also works very well; See if your dealer will also throw in an extra gasket set, which you may need in 6 weeks or 6 years, but you *will* need it eventually.
6 my list also includes an ice chest for beer (so I can stay outside when The Egg coming up to temp), and outdoor speakers, but that's just me
BOBF
1 I find the ash removal tool handy
AZRP
1 Be sure to get the grid lifter, beyond that, the plate setter, elevated grid extender, MAPP torch, and Thermapen, are items I use on most cooks. -RP
ZEE
1 I find a wireless probe thermometer for monitoring the internal meat temps to be very important. Also, with the egg I do a ton of indirect cooks. The plate setter works GREAT for that, some people use firebricks, I hear that works well also. That to me is the most important, but I eventually bought and do use everything on your list.
Bordello, 04/01/06
1 Your egg should come with rain cap, daisy slide wheel top,thermometer,firebox,metal grate to put the lump charcoal on,fire ring, porcelain cooking grid and 3 ceramic feet.
2 You should also purchase an ash tool, grid lifter and a plate setter. There are many other things we have and like but this list will have you in good starting shape. I would add a remote dual probe polder type thermometer for convenience.
3 Be careful if buying from Barbeque's Galore as they tend to sell the egg a la carte, extra for the daisy wheel slide top,thermometer. So compare price as to what comes with the egg package. Good Luck, Bordello
Smoke and Beers, 04/01/06
1 Unless you want to break the bank you certainly don't need a TON of accessories at the beginning. Decide if you're going to put the BGE in a nest or table. You've probably already thought of that. Once that's done the things you'll need RIGHT away.
2 Ash tool, Grate lifter (I've used the ash tool for this as well), Wire Brush, A V-rack, Polder if you're doing slow and low's.
3 That's all I started with other than lump, wood chunks, and some good BBQ cookbooks some 6+ years ago. I made pork shoulder and brisket back then by using the VRack over an aluminum drip pan and picking up smaller boneless pork butts and only doing smaller or cut brisket flats. I also made ribs the same with by inverting the Vrack and using it as a rib rack.
4 The next accessories I wouldn't want to live without would be: Plate setter. These make any sort of indirect so much easier. Thermapen - They're just so much faster than any other meat thermometer, although you could use a polder just as fine on a budget. I used to up until last Christmas.
5 Every accessory Richard mentioned will make your life incrementally easier and your food a bit better. You will probably pick up many of them as you spend more time as an Egger, check out the pics and posts and figure out the 'gotta have' items for you.
6 You're going to have a LOT of fun starting out in Eggdom! Todd
BabyBoomBBQ, 04/24/06
1 BabyBoomBBQ’s list of useful Big Green Egg related stuff to clutter your home.
Clutter for your egging area
1 A plate setter, Ash Tool, A metal pail for ashes.A solution for filtering fresh or left over lump. (I use my Weber for shifting fresh lump.) Good set of 14" plus tongs (or a complete set of Lawn Ranger tools.) A stainless steel grid cleaning brush. Grid lifting solution. (I use my ash tool or the hook on the cleaning brush.) Welder or pipe fitter Gloves. A second set of lightweight workmen’s gloves. Pizza Stone, A Maverick Redicheck Smoker wireless thermometer. Extra garbage can to store lump and smoke generators. Lump lighting solution: An electric starter, MAP gas torch with a hose, a weed burner or a chimney starter (makes a bunch of smoke). I use MAP or the electric starter most of the time. A power draft solution for long cooks. I use a BBQ Guru. or 4 firebrick "splits" for creative direct/ indirect set ups. A cast iron Grate and a raised grate solution. (Many ways to raise a grid.) Collection of smoke generators: woods, vines, whiskey and/or wine barrel chips, dried herb stems or what ever. Wet ones for cleaning hands. Clorox or similar sanitizing wipes. Clean thermometer probes, let it dry and push into meat to reduce chance of dirty probe introducing bacteria. Fire Extinguisher. (Trying to be complete here.)
Clutter for your kitchen
1 Cutting boards: thick and thin foldable plastic and an end grain that’s at least 3" thick. Surgical gloves. Large food processor with multiple blades. Good quality high-powered blender. (Wastin’ away again in Margaritaville!) Dedicated coffee grinder for peppers herbs and spices. A mortar and pestle or Molcajete for things the grinder isn’t suited to. A big roll of heavy-duty aluminum foil and film 905 (heavy duty plastic wrap). A roasting rack that can be used as a rib rack. A roasting pan, for turkeys and chickens, large enough to fit your egg size. A BBQ "mop" and a basting brush. Spray-on canola and/or peanut oil.vTable top slicer for cheese, hams, turkey and roast beef. Spray bottle for food only use Set of good knives including an Electric Knife. Aluminum ½ and ¼ commercial baking sheets. (I suggest two each size minimum.) A Foodsaver or other vacuum storage device. One and two gallon Ziploc bags. A Thermapen. Some good commercial rubs and sauces to play with. I use Dizzy Pig, ButtRub.com, John Henry’s, Emril’s, Gate's, Sweet Baby Ray's and Bone Suckin' sauce to name a few. Fire Extinguisher. (Yes, have two at least! I watched a house burn down because the owner did not have one.)
More stuff to clutter your home
1 A digital camera so you can post pictures of your food. An 18-quart electric roaster oven, Nesco for example, with Buffet Server for keeping BBQ hot during parties. (I use my wireless thermometer to monitor the meat temperature.) Metal skewers, ideally dual prong. (I have a self-turning kabob device that I have not tried on the BGE yet. Not sure how I’d set it up.) A KitchenAid mixer with grinder attachment. If you like sausage in casings, add the sausage stuffer attachment. A source of tried and true recipes: good cookbooks (ex Dr. BBQ), magazines websites and on line forums Pizza peel. If you get the wood ones, get two peels so you can recover from one breaking during a pizza cook. Wire mesh cookie cooling rack for resting pizzas without a soggy crust.
2 A multiple subject notebook book for making notes. Use one section per meat type or what ever makes sense to you. (To be open about it, I’m still not this organized. I have one, but there’s only one page of sausage notes in it. But it is a really good idea!) A cooler or two large enough to rest butts and full briskets. Oh yea, they have other uses too. A cooler or two large enough to rest butts and full briskets. Oh yea, they have other uses too. )
J Appledog, 06/20.07:
1 We have a "barbecue box" that we take with us to the cottage, grilling parties & events, catering work, barbecue competitions or road trips. We were at a campground near Indy for F1 last weekend and I discovered that some things had not been put back in the box after they were last used, like Kosher salt & a lighter and one mitt. I decided to make a list of its contents (not to be confused with a competition checklist, which I'm also happy to share) so that it wouldn't happen again. With a tire rim, a grill grate, some charcoal & a quick trip to the grocery store, we were able to create a spur of the moment, delicious dinner for seven (hors d'oeuvres + asparagus rafts, marinated pork tenderloin, applesauce, Texas toast & a salad with some lovely wines) at the KOA. We couldn't have done it without a few tools.
2 Richard Howe- Her list is incorperated into the master list.
Recipe Type
Equiptment/Toys
Recipe Source
Author: JQuinn, And Many Other Fine EGGERS
Source: BGE Forum, JQuinn, 03/18/06 -
I second this, on skipping the nest and mates and building your own table. I was going to get just the nest and mates but my wife talked me into the table route a few weeks ago and after many cooks....I am thrilled that I did.Knoxville, TN
Nibble Me This -
I recently bought a large and that was about theprice I paid for the Egg, nest, charcoal. So I beleive it is fair. I would recommend you buy a pizza stone, the plate setter. If they do not throw in the ash rake make your own. Idid. I bought a piece of steel for about 2 fee by 1 inch and bent it. It works grate.
You will also need a pair of mitten that can handle the heat. I have a set of silcione mittens and they are just adequate but foilks on the web reccomend wldes club. If you see a pair I would pick them up. -
All of these suggestions are good. I purchased my large last September at the Evergreen Eggfest. I got everything you are getting, along with the ashtool (You need this), and the grill gripper (grate lifter). Then they through in what was left of the bag of BGE lump that was used during the fest. I paid about $700.00 but you have to remember that mine was used (that day for the egg fest). Brand new would run about $1,000.00. I spent about a month (and two bags of charcoal) just getting used to the egg and reading the forums. The more used to the egg I got, the more involved the cooks became. I started slow and simple. Burgers, steaks, hotdogs, and other basic cooks. I have since added the pizza stone, different rubs, and seasonings, and tried other charcoals. I am currently waiting on my digital thermometer to arrive so that I can start playing with overnight cooks.
When you buy lump charcoal, make sure the bag feels like it has large chunks in it. I bought one bag of BGE lump that was all chips. It must of been on the bottom of the pallet.
Good luck and have fun,
Warthog -
Urnmore..what the heck is 'wldes club'??...sorry but I just cant figure that one out :pinch:
-
I believe he meant welders gloves :laugh:
-
I had welders gloves for a year, bu then got ORKA, definately worth the change.
http://www.webstaurantstore.com/11-orka-oven-mitt/167ORKA11.html -
aaaaahhh...ok!!...sorry..was not trying to be a wisea** but I couldn't figure out for the life of me what 'wldes club' was!!...I was about to search google!! :laugh: :laugh:
-
When I saw what I typed I couldn't figure it out either What I meant to say was Welders Gloves.
-
that was what i was talking about
happy eggin
TB
Anderson S.C.
"Life is too short to be diplomatic. A man's friends shouldn't mind what he does or says- and those who are not his friends, well, the hell with them. They don't count."
Tyrus Raymond Cobb
-
one thing i do not remember reading is you "have a pizza stone" i would deffinatly look at the one at your dealer's store because it is made out of the same thing as the egg is. and there are pizza stones and there are pizza stones
happy eggin
TB
Anderson S.C.
"Life is too short to be diplomatic. A man's friends shouldn't mind what he does or says- and those who are not his friends, well, the hell with them. They don't count."
Tyrus Raymond Cobb
-
I agree My pampered chef stone did not survive but my BGE stones worked great. However it is twice as thick as the Pampered Chef stone
-
Good info, and thanks for the replies everyone.
It sounds like I'm on the right track.
for the concerns on the pizza stone, I really don't care about the one I have so it if breaks...oh well, I'll get a nice one then.
For the table. We did talk about getting or building a table for it; however, decided that that will be a future projects. We'll be moving to a new house this August and don't have an idea on patio space.
I do plan on designing and building one, there are some great designs in the photo section.
Other future purchases will include a Thermapen, Stoker or BBQ mate, and whatever other 'necessities' come up.
I feel this will be an expensive hobby to start (as opposed to gas grill)
Thanks
-Chad -
You will enjoy it for a very long time.Once you learn the egg,you'll see that you have been ruining meat on your gasser all this time. :laugh:
-
It will actually be cheaper in the long run. Last grill , except for family members, you'll ever buy.
Pat -
Welcome to the club. :cheer: Remember pictures. My pampered chef pizza stone broke on its second eggsperience but dinner was salvaged so I reccomend no pizza with guests . BGE stone is still intact.
-
The list of optional things is never ending.
Get a thermapen I use mine on everything except vegetables and bread!
Either make or buy a raised grid for doing chicken parts or spatchcock.
If you like to do brisket and/or pulled pork get the remote thermometer maverick ET-73
http://www.partshelf.com/maet73.html otherwise, I don't think you'll need it.
Categories
- All Categories
- 182.7K EggHead Forum
- 15.7K Forum List
- 459 EGGtoberfest
- 1.9K Forum Feedback
- 10.3K Off Topic
- 2.2K EGG Table Forum
- 1 Rules & Disclaimer
- 9K Cookbook
- 12 Valentines Day
- 91 Holiday Recipes
- 223 Appetizers
- 516 Baking
- 2.4K Beef
- 88 Desserts
- 163 Lamb
- 2.4K Pork
- 1.5K Poultry
- 30 Salads and Dressings
- 320 Sauces, Rubs, Marinades
- 543 Seafood
- 175 Sides
- 121 Soups, Stews, Chilis
- 35 Vegetarian
- 100 Vegetables
- 313 Health
- 293 Weight Loss Forum