egg vs. wsm

[rookiedad]

can some eggologists sound off on the virtues of the egg especially pertaining to long burns. do you use anything like the Minion method and does it lock in for set it and forget it smoking or must it be attended to. i saw a demo where an egg reached 700* or something like that in sixty seconds. are temp spikes a hassle during long cooks. i find that the wsm does not cook to my liking in the cold weather. i guess eggs are better for winter. what say you all? thanks.

phil

[thillin]

I can get 20+ hrs on a load of lump. No Minion method in the eggs. Every 5 hrs or so, use a wiggle rod through the intake to knock the ash out. Other than that, set it and forget it. i know Rick gets lots of snow, but it doesn't slow down his eggs.

[Rick's Tropical Delight]

the egg is a superior product as are any of the ceramics. the ceramic mass retains heat which allows burning less fuel to maintain temperature, which in turn means less hot, meat-drying gasses flowing over your meat.

you do have to build a fire correctly with larger lump pieces on the bottom and no small, airflow-choking pieces, but other than that, the egg will cruise at the set and stabilized temp for hours and hours and hours. add a guru or stoker and go to work or sleep and don't worry about it.

let the flaming begin!

[tjv]

What Rick and thillin said on the merits of the egg. Only thing, 700 in 60 ain't happening. There is a difference in heating the egg and heating the air in the egg. Always best to let the lump burn in, 30-60 minutes for clean smoke to begin cooking. T

[eagle697]

I'm not trying to hijack the thread, but have what may be a dumb question, how do you guys lite your lump when using eggs? i am contemplating a BGE or WSM and was wondering about that.

[jiarby]

propane weed torch

[thillin]

Originally Posted by eagle697

I'm not trying to hijack the thread, but have what may be a dumb question, how do you guys lite your lump when using eggs? i am contemplating a BGE or WSM and was wondering about that.

Weed torch, Weber starter cubes or a Weber chimney. Some use the electric starter, BGE starter cubes or MAPP torches. I usually put 2 Weber cubes and somewhat push them into the lump and light.

[Crüe-B-Cüe]

I've used my egg 3 times since Friday. Once was a burn on Saturday to get the feel. I ran it empty. It held a perfect 225 for 6 hours with no problems. Would have run longer, but I shut it down. Sunday I smoked a ham for almost 6 hours again with no problems. Tonight I grilled up some salmon with blackening season on them. They turned out delicious. The egg is very versatile. I think I will be very happy.

Tonight I used the starters that came with the egg. I was surprised, but they worked pretty darn good.

[Rick's Tropical Delight]

Originally Posted by eagle697

I'm not trying to hijack the thread, but have what may be a dumb question, how do you guys lite your lump when using eggs? i am contemplating a BGE or WSM and was wondering about that.

i've used three methods to light eggs...
- propane weed burner
- napkin & cooking oil
- starter cubes

those are in order of my preference. be careful with the starter cubes, because when you close the dome, the cube will just smolder and impart a chemical taste if it isn't completely burrned out when you put on the food.

the napkin & oil trick can be used in a pinch. take a large napkin and tear it in half. twist to form two "napkin matches". drizzle with cooking oil (canola). bury in the lump in a vertical position. light.

[rookiedad]

Originally Posted by eagle697

I'm not trying to hijack the thread, but have what may be a dumb question, how do you guys lite your lump when using eggs? i am contemplating a BGE or WSM and was wondering about that.

no hijack! i wanted this info too! i would like to get upwards of fifteen hours on the same fuel load. is this possible with the egg. has anyone ever used a used lit and unlit coals to extend the time? also a local dealer told me you don't really need the long burn times because the eggs shorten the cooking time of thee larger cuts considerably... "butts and briskets in four hours", he said! is it so?

[MilitantSquatter]

Originally Posted by rookiedad

no hijack! i wanted this info too! i would like to get upwards of fifteen hours on the same fuel load. is this possible with the egg. has anyone ever used a used lit and unlit coals to extend the time? also a local dealer told me you don't really need the long burn times because the eggs shorten the cooking time of thee larger cuts considerably... "butts and briskets in four hours", he said! is it so?

Still not sure what cut of meat would require 15+ hrs that can fit on an Egg but I've seen some Egg owners here post burn times in excess of 20 hrs on one load.

Butt/Brisket in 3-4 hrs is a result of a higher cooking temp and/or possibly a less than avg size cut of meat.

[Rick's Tropical Delight]

Originally Posted by rookiedad

no hijack! i wanted this info too! i would like to get upwards of fifteen hours on the same fuel load. is this possible with the egg. has anyone ever used a used lit and unlit coals to extend the time? also a local dealer told me you don't really need the long burn times because the eggs shorten the cooking time of thee larger cuts considerably... "butts and briskets in four hours", he said! is it so?

24 hours at 250 is possible in a large egg with one load of lump charcoal.

4 hours for butts and brisket? is there another dealer near you? if you want it quick i reckon you could go to the local bbq restaurant too. did he tell you that?

[JD McGee]

Originally Posted by rookiedad

no hijack! i wanted this info too! i would like to get upwards of fifteen hours on the same fuel load. is this possible with the egg. has anyone ever used a used lit and unlit coals to extend the time? also a local dealer told me you don't really need the long burn times because the eggs shorten the cooking time of thee larger cuts considerably... "butts and briskets in four hours", he said! is it so?

I think your dealer is full of carp...low-n-slow is low-n-slow regardless of the smoker. The BGE is able to do 15 hours on a single load of lump and then some. I'd hate to taste the brisket or butt that was done in 4 hours. He could be talking about a small flat 4 lb or less...but even then that's pushing it. You can always add unlit fuel to the egg if needed...just get one of Thirdeye's grate lifters (you're welcome Wayne ) and dump it in.

[rookiedad]

Originally Posted by JD McGee

I think your dealer is full of carp...low-n-slow is low-n-slow regardless of the smoker. The BGE is able to do 15 hours on a single load of lump and then some. I'd hate to taste the brisket or butt that was done in 4 hours. He could be talking about a small flat 4 lb or less...but even then that's pushing it. You can always add unlit fuel to the egg if needed...just get one of Thirdeye's grate lifters (you're welcome Wayne ) and dump it in.

i think he was just telling me that because that is probably a selling point for the average consumer and he thought that is what i wanted to hear.

[swamprb]

I want to say something smarta$$ like going on the TVWB and egghead forums and asking this question, but you've come to the right place. (even though we all know you have to be a yuppie to own a BGE!)
I use the weed torch to light my Egg, Imperial Kamado, WSM's and UDS's. You will be amazed at how little lump you use in the BGE.