Buying a Big Green Egg - suggestions on starter accessories needed

[jones2289]

After wanting one for years but never wanting to spend the money, I'm going to buy a large BGE (demo) at a local Eggfest in mid-may.

The Egg will come with a nest, two tickets to the Eggfest, and 20% off accessories. I had originally planned to at least get the plate setter, but now I'm wondering if I should go in another direction. I've seen a lot of people discussing adjustable rigs, spiders, etc on various BGE forums (available on http://www.ceramicgrillstore.com/), and wonder if I would be better served going that route. I know several folks here have ceramic grills, so thought you may be able to provide some guidance.

I would like to accomplish the following for now: be able to sear steaks closer to the coals than the grate level included with the egg; smoke indirectly; and make pizza.

I've also read that many people use fire bricks in place of a plate setter, and I definitely have no problem using that cheaper solution if it works well. I figured if I had a smaller grate that would sit at the top of the fire ring, I could quickly sear the steaks without having to raise the temperature insanely high, and then after the sear just bring them up to the level of the standard grate near the top.

What would be the best way to accomplish this? If there's a cheaper option than the actual BGE accessories, I would welcome that, and figure I could spend the extra on a Thermapen or something. I'm thinking I at least need a smaller grate to sit on top of the fire ring, a pizza stone, and something to absorb the heat and allow me to cook indirectly (plate setter, additional pizza stone, etc.).

 

[Commander Quan]

I'm jealous. That's all I have to say.

 

[YetiDave]

BGE accessories were already discussed here - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/338460-Big-Green-Egg-accessories

 

[JeffM]

I use the platesetter and a WOO3 instead of the adjustable rig and it works fine. Mine came with a platesetter and I like it especially for indirect ribs and pulled pork as well as pizza (you will need a pizza stone- there is a group buy running now at greeenegger for a steel pizza plate that supposedly works better than the ceramic plates). For the best steaks you will want a cast iron 2-tier setup from Ceramic Grillworks in Pittsburgh. The BGE is great-you will have no regrets.

 

[tm3]

imo a plate setter is essential since so many cooks are done with indirect heat. fire bricks alone cannot replace a plate setter.

i like the looks of that PSWoo gizmo as it seems like it would be easy to take out the plate setter during a cook. depending on what you are cooking, some items may need indirect heat and others direct. pulling the hot plate setter out by wearing a pair of protective gloves is exciting.

i recently got a set of grill grates and limited use so far shows promise.

i read somewhere about using a small weber grill grate to get low to the coals for steak.

 

[ChrisCo]

I like the BGE eggcessories. I prefer the platesetter to the adjustable rig, but it is a personal preference. I have a 3 tier rack and use it from time to time as well. They also have a "grill extension" that clips on to the normal grate and IMHO it is useless. I can also highly recommend a cast iron grate, especially if you are looking to do steaks. If you need to cook more than a couple T-bones or 4 filets then you need the large BGE grate. If you are only feeding 2 then you can get a spider and a small cast iron grate. That will give you some wicked steak sear results. Or, you can follow my plan, and buy a small too! I also am a huge fan of remote probe thermometers. There are many brands, Mavericks are excellent, but get one of them. Or Two! I made hickory smoked chicken yesterday from the comfort of my recliner whilst reading a book. Either way... Grats!! and welcome to the cult.

 

[tm3]

after thinking about this i'm back with another comment.

my most favorite accessory since getting the BGE is a thermapen thermometer. i can't believe all the guesstimating over the years pre-thermapen -- no wonder many grilled dishes came out subpar. temp is really important.

another thing i bought is a small Lowes shopvac that attaches to the top of one of their buckets. it is called the bucket vac or something like that, and is around $20. i use it for vacuuming out the ashes periodically. much easier than scraping them out into a pan. just be sure that the fire has been out for a few days as you don't want live embers in the vac.

 

[Shaving_CHENG]

I'm jealous. That's all I have to say.

+ 1. That is all

 

[JeffM]

+1 on the Thermopen

 

[YetiDave]

Another vote for the thermapen, I'm not sure how I managed for so long without one

 

[Mick]

I may need to belly up and get a BGE someday myself. Big grilling fool.

 

[brucered]

I may need to belly up and get a BGE someday myself. Big grilling fool.

there are other alternatives. I've been using a Vision Grill for a couple years, no issues and backed by Costco in my case.

As nice and desirable as the BGE was, I just couldn't justify it with a Vermont Casting NG grill right beside it for every day grilling.

i'll be smoking some ribs and baked potatoes on my Vision today. Costco carries them and they run around $400-500 for the grill, raised rack, shelves, stand/base and cover for what would be the Large size in BGE

If you ask me, you can't go wrong with a Ceramic Cooker of any brand. The best BBQ of my life and the best tasking food from the BBQ, always comes off the Cermaic Grill, it's very versatile and holds steady heat for hours upon hours.

 

[Lather]

Recommended BGE eggcessories:

Cast grill and electric starter for sure.

I want to try the deep dish pizza stone.

other:

Lodge cast Dutch oven for amazing chilli and stews.

 

[brucered]

ASH Tool is necessary tool and one I use before almost every cook.

 

[Lather]

ASH Tool is necessary tool and one I use before almost every cook.

Yes, forgot about the ash tool. Good for cleaning out the ash but I use mine to drop the cast grill in the egg after the fire is going.

 

[BRuhling]

Ordered my BGE today. Just need to schedule delivery/setup... Looking forward to it!

 

[mdc]

BGE is coming in five days. I've never had one before so the learning curve is pretty steep. Here are the accessories I'm getting to start:

1. Cast iron grid
2. Electric coal starter
3. Cover
4. Ash tool
5. Thermapen
6. Plate setter
7. Nest (included)

I'm on the fence about getting a remote probe. The Thermapen will give me quick reads, so minimal heat loss with that removes some of the need for constant temp readouts with a wired probe thermometer. It's already costing me my second born, so I'm going to roll with what I have so far. The information on here has been very helpful.

I don't think I'm going to be cooking any one piece of meat for more than six hours, so I am not interested in the guru. I'm curious to see how good I am at "locking in" a temp around 275-300 F. I've had great results with ribs in my oven at those temps. We'll see what I need to change.