Big Green Egg or.....???

[David]

Hey guys,

Looking into buying my first non-propane grill. Ive done a little research and seems I really have two choices:

1. Big Green Egg (or similar route) -- seems like cleanup is the major downfall, but seems like for cooking at very high temps, or low temps for a long period of time, nothing tops it.

2. Pellet Grill -- Ive been looking at the trager's, and grilla grills, similar models. Also not cheap, but seems a lot easier. Don't think these will get as hot.

What do you guys have / recommend. I am in no way a professional, but I am looking for something to be able to cook a variety of meats in different styles/flavors. Im leaning toward the pellet grill just as it seems more simple and easier cleanup. I realize I would sacrifice some of the other benefits however.

What do you guys have / recommend?

 

[chebuck]

I've got an egg. Nothing is better in my opinion for cooking large meats( whole loins, ribs, or bigger). If your just cooking a few steaks and hamburgers then I'd go with the pellet grill or regular charcoal.

 

[BamaProud]

People have their preferences...but I think pretty much any grill from an ugly 55gal drum convert to a top of the line Ceramic grill can get the job done as well as the other. You just need to be familiar with how your grill cooks and know how to control and maintain proper temps. The High end ceramic grills probably shorten the learning curve...but people have been making tasty meat on "inferior" grills for centuries.

 

[Hozzie]

I have and used a regular Weber Genesis for years, but recently (last 6 months) bought a Kamado Joe. It isn't nearly as hard as I think it seems. Yes, it does take a little more time to heat up, but I can be ready to cook in 20 minutes. I let my gas grill heat up 10 minutes before cooking so it really isn't that much more.

A BGE or Kamado Joe will basically cook the exact same. The difference and the reason I went with the KJ is it has a nice pull out sleeve in the bottom that catches the ashes. You simply pull it out and dump. it really couldn't be easier. I also believe the Kamado's are more versatile than a pellet grill.

I kept my Weber for a quick grill for things like hot dogs, but 90% of the time I fire up the Kamado. Really just a better overall flavor. I also have the rotisserie for it and you cannot make a better whole chicken.

Not sure this pic will post, but I'll try. It is 2 full birds on my KJ.

 

[jb3]

Craigslist (Nashville location) had UDS's(ugly drum smoker) for $275 recently.

 

[TAFKAP]

If I ever decide to drop $1,000 on a grill, I'm getting a Primos because it's Made in the USA and it has a larger grate.

 

[slinger]

Weber has just come out with a new summit series charcoal grill. They are shaped like the egg grills and look like they are made to compete with them. I would definitely check them out if I was in the market for a new grill.

 

[muddyboots]

I love my big green egg. Cleanup is not a problem. Kamara joe maybe just as good I don't know about that.

 

[Hozzie]

If I ever decide to drop $1,000 on a grill, I'm getting a Primos because it's Made in the USA and it has a larger grate.

I would highly recommend you compare them. I gave the Primos a look, but the hinges weren't nearly as good as the BGE or KJ. It just seemed cheaper built overall to me.

 

[slinger]

http://www.weber.com/grills/series/summ ... coal-grill

 

[David]

Thanks for the info guys. Definitely a lot to think about!

 

[big 8s in Weakley county]

I have a traeger and love it. My buddy had a big smoker built and uses the traeger over it now do to the easy of use and closeness in taste compared to the big smoker

 

[diamond hunter]

just get an XL BGE and a regular gas grill both and then forget about it.Then,add a smoker later and you have it covered

 

[Wildcat]

Weber has just come out with a new summit series charcoal grill. They are shaped like the egg grills and look like they are made to compete with them. I would definitely check them out if I was in the market for a new grill.

Looked into them as soon as I first heard about them since I own several Weber's. The new Summit Series Charcoal Grill runs between $1,499 and $1,999.

 

[Wildcat]

http://virtualweberbullet.com/weber-sum ... etime.html

 

[TAFKAP]

Nope, not for me. $150 barrel with offset firebox has performed dutifully for over a decade.

 

[Ed B]

I have a traeger and really like it, just set the temp and walk away. It's pretty easy, even at low temps around 180-200°F.

My next one will probably be a rectec or if I get stupid about it possibly a memphis (high $$$).

 

[airborneru]

I have a large BGE and I think it's an outstanding product. At first, I was very skeptical of the hype but a friend had one and I was sold.

I got the large and I was worried that it wouldn't be big enough for my family of five, but now, it's totally fine. I will, however, get one of those swinging second level grates so I can go vertical with the meat. I plan on getting a second smaller BGE for camping and so that I'll have another surface to cook with if the large one is smoking a butt.

Pros:
It's a convection oven when it's closed. Food cooks quickly and retains moisture
Keeps heat and is very efficient (it seals well so that you can snuff out the coals by closing the vents up, allowing you to reuse coals )
When the vents are open you can easily get over 700 degrees, quickly (I do the reverse sear method. I get my meat to whatever internal temp I want, then pull the meat off, open the vents to get it blazing hot, once hot I sear to get a nice crust)
Flavor is fantastic, even using regular lump coal with no wood sticks/chunks/chips you get a real nice and clean smokiness
Smoking is no problem
Cleaning really isn't a problem
A lot of people have them so there are 1. a lot of third party accessories out there (from cast iron grates to nice ash buckets) 2. any problem or question you have, someone else has already figured out the solution

Cons:
Cost. Let's face it, it's kinda spendy
It's heavy
Small learning curve, however, you can shorten that curve by watching some youtube videos

 

[old guy]

Oklahoma Joe's.....

 

[280longshot]

Oklahoma Joe's is all I need.
I don't just grill meat, everything goes on the grill including vegetables.

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[W.Seay]

No doubt, Big Green Egg!!!!!

 

[280longshot]

I just so happen to look at the large Green Egg and the price.
At that price it better season it, flip the meat, take the meat off, put it in a container, call my phone it's ready and have it sitting on the table...


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[catman529]

Weber kettle


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