The Big Green Egg

[Baja Tender]

Just want to know what your thoughts are on using this for smoking. I got one 6 months ago and have used I'm guessing already 30 bags of lump charcoal. I use this 3-4 times a week. Ribs/chicken/pork/fish and love the thing.

[osageid]

Looks good! Now you have gone and done it and made me hungry! BTW Nice to meet you at Elephant Bar and restaurant!

[Colin]

Who makes that smoker?

[Playa_G at 4-Play Games]

My friend has one they are awsum !
.

[36Tango]

Just want to know what your thoughts are on using this for smoking. I got one 6 months ago and have used I'm guessing already 30 bags of lump charcoal. I use this 3-4 times a week. Ribs/chicken/pork/fish and love the thing.

I have one at home and one at the lake. BGE's are awesome! The one at home I have had for probably 13 or 14 years.

Take a look at the BGE website and forums. The owners of thee are almost like a cult and you can find out about anything there.

Have you done steaks where you sear them at 1200 degrees?

[Baja Tender]

I can cook a very large baked potato in about 15 minutes when I get it roaring!!!!! I sear the stakes at around 600-700 but will try going higher. Excellent luck with steaks so far.

[36Tango]

I have the best luck getting it hot by taking off the top altogether, open up the bottom air shutter, and use only 6 or 8 chunks of charcoal. It is also key that you keep the ash cleaned out so that the air flows freely.

30 bags of charcoal! Holy cow! I might go through 4 or 5 a year in a big year! I always shut it totally down right away so the leftover charcoal can be restarted instead of adding more.

[Baja Tender]

I do shut it down after each cook but when I do pork butts, I'm cooking around 15-16 hours at 250-275 degrees and it takes just a little more is all. I only use about 8 lbs of cowboy charcoal in that time frame. I really can't tell the difference between BGE charcoal and the cowboy brand.

[Christian]

STOP USING COWBOY.....................Lord only knows what falls into their baghs, they are the Hot Dog of "lump" (in their case, stick) charcoal

you will get long cleaner cooks out of real lump, Ozark Oak, etc do not have to use BGE (but the coconut is nice :mrgreen:) but I see big differences in burn times and temp consistency

[Soul Asset]

I plan on getting one of these. I watched BBQ Pit Masters on Discovery. One of the regulars smokes their meat in three of these. But! They have a really cool computer controlled shutter system.


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[Baja Tender]

I guess I'm going to have to buy a pallet of Ozark Oak then!!!!

[Christian]

The computer control is the BBQ Guru

http://www.thebbqguru.com/

they are cool for non pellet heads

we looked at trying one on the jedmaster but there was just to much smoker and the ring of fire got screwed up by the fans

[36Tango]

I agree with the charcoal. I have had to use the cowboy a couple of times, and it just seems like it does not get as hot or burn as clean as the BGE charcoal. I only use a few bags a year, so the expense is not that great.

There is a forum menber that owns a hot tub store in Lincoln or Omaha that sells the Primo brand of grill and it is pretty much the same as the BGE. Maybe he can get a deal for MWBP folks!

[CJmike]

I do shut it down after each cook but when I do pork butts, I'm cooking around 15-16 hours at 250-275 degrees and it takes just a little more is all. I only use about 8 lbs of cowboy charcoal in that time frame. I really can't tell the difference between BGE charcoal and the cowboy brand.

Wow I don't think I have used that many bags since I got my egg. I think I have had it four years or so now. I bought it from a friend that sized up and I don't think he ever used that much charcoal and he had it an equal amount of time. You either cook a every day or there is something seriously going on in your set up. Like other have said maybe its the Cowboy lump. I have tried a few and always go back to BGE lump.

[Dr. Jeff]

+3 on the charcoal thing. I was using the Cowboy stuff till Christian yelled at me. :mrgreen: Once I did make the switch, I too noticed much hotter grill temps, longer lasting coals, and more consistent temps. I buy the BGE stuff just cause I know its good and know where to get it, not much choice for good charcoal in Columbia or at the lake, but I can find BGE both places.

[Dr. Jeff]

Have you done steaks where you sear them at 1200 degrees?

1200? Really? Your temp gauge go that high? I would love to try that, never though about just leaving the whole damned thing open, I guess that makes sense. Have to give that a shot next time. I too sear my steaks at about 700-800 but that's just because I've never been able to get the egg any hotter.

[Baja Cruzin]

We sell the Primo Grills the Primo XL is like the egg but is oval with more cooking area. Check them out at http://www.primogrill.com/home.html

[Baja Tender]

We sell the Primo Grills the Primo XL is like the egg but is oval with more cooking area. Check them out at http://www.primogrill.com/home.html

Do you sell the Ozark lump charcoal by chance Paul!!!! Or do you have any connections on getting some. I'm calling them direct today.

[Baja Cruzin]

Do you sell the Ozark lump charcoal by chance Paul!!!! Or do you have any connections on getting some. I'm calling them direct today.

We sell the Primo Brand lump charcoal............stop down I will give you a bag to try.

[laker]

I have been using the "The Good One" lump it works well. Dont even waste your time with the lump that Sams Club is now selling you may as well try and burn dirt. There is a guy in St Louis that puts an ad on craig list. He makes run down to Arkansas to the factory that was on "Dirty Jobs" he packs a truck load back to St Louis and then sells for $11 a bag. I think this is the Ozark Brand.

[Baja Tender]

Ok fellers here's the deal. I just got off the phone with Ozark Oak Charcoal. They are not taking new orders at this time due to the rough times and that several saw mills are not in operation at this time. The lady I talked to told me they sell their charcoal direct to Hasty Bake which is a grill/bbq type of shop/outlet. I then got on their web sight and they have a Hasty Bake dealer in Omaha. I ordered 1/2 pallet (30 bags). I then looked up naked whiz charcoal data base and it said that Hasty Bake is the same stuff and the reviews showed the same. I'm set Christian!!!!!!!!!!! I will have to go pick it up. If your looking for dealer near you just get on the web sight and they have a dealer locator option to pick. They come in 10lb bags.

[36Tango]

We sell the Primo Grills the Primo XL is like the egg but is oval with more cooking area. Check them out at http://www.primogrill.com/home.html

The Primo Grill is everything that the BGE is. In fact, the oval might be kind of a neat thing to have.

Qwknloud, will you be going toOrlando for the HPBA Convention?

[36Tango]

Heres how I do the steaks:
Using BGE coal, I put in 6 or 8 big chunks (any more restricts airflow, and thats what gets it HOT), take the metal lid on top all the way off (not just open the round shutter), open the bottom all the way, and let it go. My thermometer goes up to 800 I think, but I bend it around way past there. It might not be all of 1200, but it is HOT! Be damn careful opening the lid, as the fire will chase the oxygen (I think that they call it backdrafting) and burn the crap out of the forearms. I wear welders type leather gloves. Put the 1" plus steaks on and close the lid (leave dampers open). Watch the clock and carefully open at 1 1/2 minutes, flip the steaks, and shut the lid for another 1 1/2 minutes. Close both dampers and flip the steaks one lore time. Close the lid (with dampers closed) and let it finish off for 3 additional minutes. After 3 minutes when you open the lid, there will be a puddle of moisture laying on top of the steaks. Pull them off and enjoy the best steaks in the world.

[Sea Esta]

Interesting thread! I've never used or eaten anything cooked on a BGE. I'm sure that will change this season.

I will say I keep my temps down at 225 to no more than 250 when doing butts on my stick burner.

[Dr. Jeff]

Tango, how done are your steaks with that method. My method is similiar but I go to about 700, steaks on for 2 min first side with all dampers open, flip and close all dampers for 3 minutes and I get a medium rare with 1" steaks. I'm going to try your method to see if I can get hotter next time.

[seiowan]

Tango, how done are your steaks with that method. My method is similiar but I go to about 700, steaks on for 2 min first side with all dampers open, flip and close all dampers for 3 minutes and I get a medium rare with 1" steaks. I'm going to try your method to see if I can get hotter next time.

Next time you do a steak, put a pat of butter in tin-foil, and place the steak in the tin foil fold into a tent, and let it rest for about 10 minutes. The steak will continue to cook for a little bit, but the taste and juices are unbelievable.

[36Tango]

They are medium rare. Watch the clock close, not a second over 1.5 minutes on each side. It gives you the sear on both the top and the bottom of the steak. I used to stick the steak with a remote temp probe on the last flip, but don't do that anymore.

Man I'm hungry for steak now!

[twanger]

Is it safe to use the bge on a wood deck?

I need a new grill to replace a gas burner.

If I have to stay with gas does anyone have any suggestions?

[Dr. Jeff]

Is it safe to use the bge on a wood deck?

I need a new grill to replace a gas burner.

If I have to stay with gas does anyone have any suggestions?
The beauty of the BGE is that it gives off almost no heat. That is why it works so well. The thick shell holds all the heat inside so you don't waste charcoal and maintain constant temps. You can put your hand on the lid at 400-500 degrees and it's just warm. I've used it on wooden decks and right next to vinyl siding with no worries.

[twanger]

The beauty of the BGE is that it gives off almost no heat. That is why it works so well. The thick shell holds all the heat inside so you don't waste charcoal and maintain constant temps. You can put your hand on the lid at 400-500 degrees and it's just warm. I've used it on wooden decks and right next to vinyl siding with no worries.

Thanks