Big Green Egg

[Raiders Army]

So, as we were stuck in Dallas yesterday due to storms and mechanical failures (I think they were looking for a new clutch for the plane), I saw an ad for The Big Green Egg (Big Green Egg, World's Best Smoker and Grill (http://www.biggreenegg.com/index.html)). We're looking to get a new grill and I was looking at the Infrared grills, preferably a Weber. We grill out almost every weekend and I was also looking for a smoker as well. It seems as if the Big Green Egg can do it all, it's just that they nickel and dime you to death with all of the accessories. Has anyone had any experiences with the EGG?

[kcchief19]

I know people who smoke and love their Big Green Egg. I took a smoking class last year with some professionals, and they were lukewarm. Their review was that while it was generally a can't-mess-it-up-too-bad smoker, but you can generally get much better results with much cheaper smokers.

I use my Weber One Touch for both grilling and smoking. I haven't exactly mastered smoking quite yet ... Maintain a consistent temperature has been my challenge.

[digamma]

I love mine.

I tend to use it more for long smokes than for weekend grilling. In the two years that I've had it, I've cooked probably 10 big Boston Butts for pulled pork and made every holiday turkey on it. Super easy for temperature maintenance (two weeks ago, I did a 12-14 hour Boston Butt, and from the time I left for work to the time I got home at the end of the day had maybe 5 degrees of temperature variation).

I've also cooked burgers (obviously), steak, fish and a few non-traditional items (one pizza that was admittedly a bit of a fail).

You can get a lot of the accessories for cheaper online. The plate setter is the one essential accessory to be able to set up indirect heat. I also think their electric fire starter is worth it.

[Raiders Army]

Thanks. We're looking at possibly moving this summer, so we'll wait to go final on a new grill this Fall. I'm looking at ideas. The egg seems very intriguing. I think I'd go with the Large, a nest, and side shelves to begin with and let other stuff come as presents.

dig, have you grilled in the Winter? According to the website, you can cook down to 0 degrees F.

[digamma]

I live in southern California, so the winter isn't much of a problem. I've seen pictures online of people grilling in the snow.

I have a large as well.

[DanGarion]

Green Eggs are a lot of money, IMO.

I'm currently building an UDS (Ugly Drum Smoker), for about $100-150 bucks I'll have a smoker (and it can grill if I want it to) that will stay at temp for smoking for 8-12 hours without screwing with it.

[Philliesfan980]

I use the Weber Smokey Mountain cooker (otherwise known as "the bullet"), and to me, this is a perfect smoker. Maintains a great low cooking temp with minimal effort. Can't recommend it enough.

I've never tried, but I'm not sure how well you could grill with it, but if you want a smoker at a reasonable price, this is the way to go.