XL or L for family of 6

Pa_BBQ · November 2009

I know this is asked very often, but will be specific. I am very close to choosing the BGE over a cookshack Amerique.

I have a family of 6, and with the kids at 8, 12, 15 and 17 there is usually company. I also will be doing BBQ for gatherings several times a year.

I am used to using a 21 lb back of Kingsford Charcoal when I smoke butts in my 22" WSM.

I will be cooking Butts, Ribs, Brisket etc.

I have a Char-broil offset smoker, a Weber Genesis Gold natural gas grill and 2 Weber WSM in 18" and 22" This will be going on a table on my covered deck.

Thanks for any suggestions and hoping I gave enough details to get some good suggestions.

Great Forum by the way.

Mike in Abita · November 2009

Based on what you described, I'd say the LGE and Small combo. You can get those two EGGS for about the same price as the XL.

If you would have said I do mostly grilling and really need the grid space I'd have said the XL. Some here can cook six butts on a LGE and that would be enough to feed you, your family and the neighborhood. I have had 3 large butts on my XL and it still had room for plenty more. Two 14lb packers on the XL and still had room for 5 fatties.

I have the XL and Med combo. Just got my MINI back from my BIL and am enjoying it also.

maXim · November 2009

Pa_BBQ,

for the price of the cookshack, you can probably buy 2 Large BGE! The advantages of having 2 eggs, is that while your smoking your butts or brisket you can grill sides on the other. Would you enjoy the XL, most likely yes and you would have more than enough space. Keep in mind you can easily, without any extra rigs, do 2 or 3 butts on the large. I personally did a 20 lbs packer brisket on my large that fed a bunch of hungry guys

.

Some here have started with a large and over the years added a few other sizes. Whatever you do GET A BIG GREEN EGG you will not regret it!

Pa_BBQ · November 2009

Can I do 7 nice big Ribeye steaks on the Large?
How about 4 full racks of ribs?

Thanks for the reply

Mainegg · November 2009

WOW just what you save in lump will pay for a a couple of meals LOL Like was suggested I would do a combo. either a lg/med or a lg/sm. This gives you so many options for cooks and different temps. you will find it is not just a smoker but a grill, oven, pizza baker and BBq'r and smoker

welcome to the forum

, Julie

Mainegg · November 2009

and then some

Mike in Abita · November 2009

The LGE has an 18" dia. cooking grid. If you can fit 7 large ribeyes on your small WSM. hen they should fit on the LGE. I went with the XL because most of my cooks were grilled. I really like the large real estate of the XL. 24" grid can fit quite a few burgers on it. compared to the 18" LGE.

After seeing a few other posts by you I am going to change my mind and tell you to get the XL. You won't be disappointed and will probably benefit from the larger grilling surface. A very wise person once said buy the biggest cooker you can afford. here is a link to some other fine wisdom. (I've never heard a guy say "I wish I would have bought a smaller ______" anything for that matter)

http://www.nakedwhiz.com/ceramic.htm

Unknown · November 2009

We've got 6 in our family too. (8, 11, 13, 15) and we frequently have weekend guests bringing our numbers between 12-24 ppl,

I agree with Mike in Abita.

I have a large and a small combination and a weber gasser.

The LBGE has loads of eggsessories. I use it as my primary cooker for main courses.

The SBGE is great for sides, more intimate dinners for the wife and I, but I can easily cook a spatchcock chicken for the family. With some planning, I can cook an entire meal on the SBGE - sides and all. The key with the combination is that you can have both cooking something different at different temps and it's easy to manage.

The weber gasser is a great storage device, but in a pinch, I can add a bunch of burgers and dogs for the kids.

Lastly, I find there's loads of room to cook on the LBGE. I've had several parties ranging from 20-90 ppl and with a little planning had no problems using the large as my primary cooking source.

Good luck with your decision!

Michael

Crimsongator · November 2009

You will get a variety of answers. They are all good and all have the perspective of the individual owner.

I have 4 eggs (mini, Small, large and XL) My two most used eggs are the XL and the small. The XL gets the bulk of the work because I do smoke a good but for work and friends. I like the extra size and cooking area. I have to admit when I am just cooking for the family and doing little things, I go to the small (or mini for steaks) first.

If you do several large cooks during the year, you may do well with the extra space. I would suggest getting the largest oen you can easily afford. If price is not option, go for the XL.

CBBQ · November 2009

I have a XL, L and Medium BGE and my "go to" one is the large. I agree the the combo idea. If I'm searing steaks and cooking vegetables I like the ability to cook at two different temps. I can't speak for others but if it's grill space I need I can use my large and medium on the same amount of lump as the XL. I like the versatilty two eggs give me.

PhilsGrill · November 2009

I think the record for the large for racks of ribs stands at 20 full racks. There's i picture somewhere.

Pa_BBQ · November 2009

Ok, now leaning towards the Large, I have to remember I do have the 22 and 18 inch WSM, along with the Weber Genesis Gold gasser, and if really needed will have the offset.

I like the larger variety of accessories for the Large and in a pinch will just pull out a WSM.

Thanks for the opinions everyone, may change my mind several times before tomorrow. If the dealer only has one size in stock, will make the decision easy.

glc203 · December 2009

For what it's worth, our local dealer won't sell the XL - says the thing behaves differently and doesn't like the performance. I bought the large and have been very happy with it.

Panhandle Smoker · December 2009

I don't understand that, My XL behaves the same way my larges do. As far as performance goes, it is as good or better than the other sizes IMHO.

Pa_BBQ · December 2009

I went with the large, knowing I will be adding a second, or maybe even a third egg.

I was thinking of going Large and Medium but now wonder if Large and Large would not be smarter since the accessories would all swap. I love the Large, working perfect for me. If I need more space have two WSM's to work with.

Misippi Egger · December 2009

I have cooked 6 full racks of baby backs on my large easily. With the adjustable rig and spider I recently cooked 42+ pounds of butt on it. I haven't tried to cook more than 4 ribeyes at a time, there was plenty of extra room on the grid.

I think the large was a good choice and you might later add the second to the family. I have a small as my second - for sides and smaller cooks, but then there are only 2 of us most of the time.

Enjoy. AND POST PICS !

XL or L for family of 6

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