On the fence

[capt. dan]

Hey guys, been lurking for a while now. I am looking to upgrade from a gas grill. I am kicking around a couple of ideas. Either a ceramic cooker or a charcoal grill and a smoker. I could get a Weber performer and a WSM and be close to the price of BGE. Having three grills on my deck would be a stretch but I could always put the smoker down stairs on the lower patio but this would be a disadvantage of not getting a ceramic.

A little history. I started out with a 196X portable kitchen that was given to me by my grandfather. I used it for years and loved it but all I cooked on it was hamburgers and hot dogs. It was all I could afford back then. Unfortunately it cracked during a move. I replaced it with a Weber Genesis and have been using it for the last 17 years. Very happy with the Weber product. I plan on keeping it but would like a to cook over fire again. I also want to give smoking a try.

My dad has a large BGE and I am going to visit him in a week. I am going to take a shot at smoking something on it while visiting. He only uses it as grill. Any thoughts of what I should try first?

Any help with either subject would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Boshizzle]

Big Green Egg or a Big Steel Keg is the way to go unless you really need a 22" diameter smoker. Of course, if you do, you can always build a UDS which, IMO, is as good or better than a WSM. And, for the first BBQ cook on one I'd suggest a pork butt. Good luck.

[BBQ Bandit]

First off, welcome to the forum!

The BGE... its a popular cooker with multiple possibilities... will answer your needs.
As in other ceramic cookers, will do: low/high temp, direct and indirect cooking.

The learning curve will be mastering the low temp/fire management (thru intakes/exhaust)... once you achieve that... the possibilities are limited by your own imagination.

If you want to start off light and short term... a few fatties are always a great beginning.
A porkloin (140* @ 2 hours) or a smoked chicken (160* @ 4 hours) are a little longer.

[Hoss]

Keep in mind that if you wanna do a lo-n-slo on the Egg,you MUST have a heat diffuser between the coals and the meat.Your Dad may not have all the accessories needed to do a slo cook.You can use a drippan of liquid,a pizza stone, a platesetter etc.Just be sure to have some type barrier.I LOVE my Large BGE.Most versatile,easiest to use/controll cooker I have ever had the privilidge to cook on.My problem is I do too many BIG cooks that it cannot handle.If they made a super XXXXXXXL about 72 inches in diameter! For the family it is GREAT!

[martyleach]

Well, I totally understand your dilemna as I went through the same thought process. After 3 year, this is what I ended up with. I used to have a Kettle, got busy, bought a gasser. Then life slowed down a bit and I bought a BGE. Then I made a UDS and bought a Kettle. Full circle. Enjoy, it's all good!

[Cajunator]

If you are considering a BGE, check out the Primo Oval Ceramic Grill/smokers. Better design and in my opinion, quality that BGE.

[capt. dan]

Thanks for the heads up on the diffuser. I will make sure we have something to use. I think he has a pizza stone. If not we will use a pan of water.

Probably leaning towards a ceramic. With a Gasser and an egg I should be good to go. How many still use gas after going to an egg?


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[BBQ Bandit]

Originally Posted by capt. dan

Thanks for the heads up on the diffuser. I will make sure we have something to use. I think he has a pizza stone. If not we will use a pan of water.

Probably leaning towards a ceramic. With a Gasser and an egg I should be good to go. How many still use gas after going to an egg?


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Can't speak for everyone... have given up my gas grill many years ago... only use gas today to light the other main fuel... be it charcoal, wood, or lump (using a weedburner torch).

[Midnight Smoke]

Originally Posted by Cajunator

If you are considering a BGE, check out the Primo Oval Ceramic Grill/smokers. Better design and in my opinion, quality that BGE.

I have not used or checked into the Primo. But I would like to know the basis of your statement that the BGE is of lower quality?

[Harbormaster]

I gotta be honest with you.

If I was in your position and had the $$ to do what you're thinking of, I'd go with some form of a Weber kettle (OTG, Performer, Platinum...) and a WSM.

With the Webers, you'll get quality and quantity!

[ZouBBQ]

Youll save a lot of little green dollars going for a kettle over a big green egg. I understand they are great and all, but a few bucks and a little ingenuity will go a long way with grills amd smokers. Personally i would go for a kettle, then a wsm or uds for smoking. I would love a bge if they werent so expensive and I felt the need for one, but they are and I dont!

[Drew]

I don't own a BGE so I can't really comment on them, but I do have a Weber kettle and a WSM, and I would recommend them.

I normally do low and slow in the WSM, and hot and fast on the kettle, best of both worlds.

I think that it would come down to space, if you have the space for the two, go for it. Otherwise BGE would be the way to go.

Just my 0.02c

[Cajunator]

Originally Posted by {Midnight ☼ Smoke}

I have not used or checked into the Primo. But I would like to know the basis of your statement that the BGE is of lower quality?

Terry, I see you are a proud owner of a BGE. I assume you as 99% of all BGE owners take exception to my remark about quality. Notice that I did not say that the BGE is of poor quality but, I personally and many who have switched from BGE to Primo will attest to the Primo being of BETTER quality. Side by side comparison you can see the differences. Now I should have made it clear that I'm talking mainly about the Primo Oval grills. The first thing you will notice is the cooking grate. The primo is a heavy duty grate compared to what I think is dinky looking for the BGE. The Rain Cap is another. It's been a while since I've looked at the BGEs but, when I was in the market for a ceramic I went with the Primo Jr. For the money I think I got a better deal and grill with Primo. Again, I emphasize that I'm talking about the Oval grill.

Now on that topic, BGE only makes a round grill. Look at a Primo Jr or XL Oval and notice the design and capability of being able to use the firebox divider for better heat management during indirect cooking. You can deflect heat on half of the cooker for even better heat control.
Their acesorries are more versatile for multi level cooking and especially smoking.

The bottom line is that what I stated is MY opinion. Perhaps had you seen a Primo when you were in the market for your grill/smoker you MIGHT have gone that route. I'm not saying that BGE is a bad product, I just happen to think Primo grills are better. If you have a dealer in your area, stop by there sometime just to check it out.

In my experience most BGE owners are EXTREMELY loyal to their grill and don't believe that it is even remotely possible for there to be a better product than the one they own.

[Midnight Smoke]

Originally Posted by Cajunator

Terry, I see you are a proud owner of a BGE. I assume you as 99% of all BGE owners take exception to my remark about quality. Notice that I did not say that the BGE is of poor quality but, I personally and many who have switched from BGE to Primo will attest to the Primo being of BETTER quality. Side by side comparison you can see the differences. Now I should have made it clear that I'm talking mainly about the Primo Oval grills. The first thing you will notice is the cooking grate. The primo is a heavy duty grate compared to what I think is dinky looking for the BGE. The Rain Cap is another. It's been a while since I've looked at the BGEs but, when I was in the market for a ceramic I went with the Primo Jr. For the money I think I got a better deal and grill with Primo. Again, I emphasize that I'm talking about the Oval grill.

Now on that topic, BGE only makes a round grill. Look at a Primo Jr or XL Oval and notice the design and capability of being able to use the firebox divider for better heat management during indirect cooking. You can deflect heat on half of the cooker for even better heat control.
Their acesorries are more versatile for multi level cooking and especially smoking.

The bottom line is that what I stated is MY opinion. Perhaps had you seen a Primo when you were in the market for your grill/smoker you MIGHT have gone that route. I'm not saying that BGE is a bad product, I just happen to think Primo grills are better. If you have a dealer in your area, stop by there sometime just to check it out.

In my experience most BGE owners are EXTREMELY loyal to their grill and don't believe that it is even remotely possible for there to be a better product than the one they own.

Thanks for your response. Each person has their own opinion on which product is better. I can only add that your benefits mentioned are minor differences. Everything stated can be done on the Egg as well as the Primo. The only true difference would be the Oval design. I supposed there could be some advantages to this. But regardless, I believe the Egg is as versatile as the Primo. There are many people here that have the Primo and I am sure it is a good quality product.

Now we have this behind us, Post up some Pron!

Enjoy!

[kamadodavid]

Just bought a Kamado Joe. Read lots of reviews beforehand. Honestly, they are all pretty similar but I have become a big fan of these "egg" type of grills.