Large or medium BGE?...

I had the same question. I am getting the large. I was wondering about the same issues and for the small difference in price to me it was worth it to get the large. That way I can get a small later

I've had a medium for 9 years and just recently bought a large. I've been using the large exclusively for a couple weeks, just to get used to it. Here are a few thoughts.

I am surprised by how much more charcoal I am going through. There's more space to heat, so it is taking a lot more charcoal to cook the same thing in the large than in the medium.

There are more configuration options with the large. While the aftermarket and BGE accessories for the medium are catching up, there's still more stuff out there for the large. But, there's a lot you can do with some fire brick splits and a few long bolts.

As for low and slows on the medium. I've had a fire last about 12 hours in the medium, without adding fuel. With a rack and some creative cutting, you can fit a heck of a lot of ribs in a medium. You can get a couple good sized shoulders in there, too. Briskets are problematic, though. Their length makes it had to find one with enough weight to feed everyone and fit in a medium without cutting it in two.

Once the honeymoon with the large is over, I see myself using the medium at least as much, if not more, particularly when cooking for just the two of us (95% of my cooks).

psst...that same local dealer is selling mediums on ebay for $300. Don't tell anyone

i like the large best out of all the egg sizes, its taller which makes cooking direct simpler and you use alot less lump cooking direct verse inderect. it also fits a real sized turkey and a good sized pizza which you will want to do later on. almost everyone here adds a second egg later on down the road which makes the lump miser small egg a great bargain over time. but you can get away with the medium, you might be wishing for the large later on

RoanokeSmoke,

IMHO go with the large. It is the most versatile and has the most available accessories. When you want to do a large cook you'll have all you need. Think about the non-traditional uses; pizzas, breads, braises and stews, paella and desserts. It is a lot easier to find cookware to fit the large than the medium.

Steve

If i had to choose between the 2 i would definately get the large. My first egg was a large and then a year later i got a small to go with it which as mentioned by others is a good combination. However, for your first egg i would definately start with the large, that way you dont limit yourself on what you want to cook in the future. You will not save that much in lump by going with the medium. The BGE is so efficient that even just cooking for 2 if you shut down the large as soon as your finished cooking chicken, steak, burgers, chops, you will get many cooks out of the same load of lump so that shouldnt be an issue.
Have fun!

I started with a large and then wanted to add a small. My wife insisted I get a medium because she wanted a "daddy egg and a mommy egg" or some such nonsense. The end result was that I use the medium for virtually all cooks that don't demand the extra surface area and now she tells me that I wasted money on the large. Except, of course, when I do the ribs, the butts, the turkey, the prime rib, pizza, or use the wok, none of which fit comfortably in the medium.

So - I'd recommend the large if you expect to do any of those listed items. For general two-person stuff, them medium is great.

If you go with the medium, you will be able to cook fairly easily for 6, and 8 with a little cramming. For example, Christmas dinner was a big goose for 8.

After a year, I got a 2nd medium for the versatility of cooking at different temps, or doing things like 2 pizzas at once.

I have had a medium for a year now. I have cooked 2 butts (15 lbs), 12 lb Turkey, and whole brisket many times. I have maintained a 250 dome temp for 18 hours many times. I usually cook for 2 but have cooked for 6 without issue. There are a couple of times a year I wish I had a large but only a couple. I love my medium and it has paid me back with fantastic food many times. The price you stated was a steal!

Large. it is the most popular BGE for a reason. it's the best & most versitle.

I would suggest the large but for other reasons than most folks. If the medium is an older inventory egg, the fire ring will have a large gap between the inner egg wall and the outer diameter of the fire ring. On my medium the gap is almost 2".

I understand there is a newer fire ring for the medium which fits better. If the ring 'fits' the medium then I would think the low cost new medium might be a good choice.

If you are cooking at higher altitudes that can create a problem (and does for me) with performance.

If your egg is aligned properly when you close the egg down the lump will go out. Then I relight the remaining lump for the next cook. I don't see much difference in lump use in the large or medium if my seal is tight.

For me, most of the time, it is my wife and I. When all the kids & grand kids come over the group is 24. The large can handle the entire group just fine.

It is nice to have an additional egg or two so I can cook at different temps or I can cook something that really requires more cooking space.

I would suggest getting a large and a mini. I use the mini for my wife and I the majority of the time.

I have the large, medium, small and mini. Next year I may sell the medium - the ill sized fire ring just aggravates me. Other than that, for me, the medium is just as good as any of the other eggs.

GG

I bought the large about 6 months ago and wouldn't trade it. Could just be I like the egg. I eventually want another egg or two and will probably be confused about which size when the time arrives. When cooking indirect if any food extends past the plat setter, you're cooking direct. The large gives you more surface area to handle that. I also like cooking the entire meal on the egg when I can; main dish and a couple of sides. As my only egg...I'll stick with the large.

Well I have to add my two cents, especially since I own a large and a medium. I would definitely go with the large--I think you will be surprised at how many low-n-slow cooks you will do requiring longer than 10-12 hours.

I started with the large about 3 months ago and recently purchased a medium (a steal on craigslist). I've done several low-n-slow cooks and even helped a friend out by cooking 33 lbs of pork butt for his party. I used on load of lump during this cook on the large--with a medium I would definitely needed to disassemble to add more lump and would not have been able to cook that many lbs. Also, as others have mentioned the large is more versatile with multiple set-ups available.

Whichever you choose you will be happy. Good luck.

I bought a small for my second egg and if I had it to do over again it might be a Med or Mini. I hear the medium burns the same amount of lump as the small, and the mini much less. I use the small mostly for a grill with my large for roasting. I could grill with a mini.
Anyway she's mine and I'm keeping her.
Get a large to start.