I just bought a new large B.G.E. Do you do a burn in before grilling/smoking? I ordered a kick ash basket should be here today. I bought a convEggtor and I am thinking about ordering the 5 piece egg spandex kit. Should I buy the 5 piece egg spander B.G.E. brand or is the one on amazon the same?
One big thing is Whats the best lump charcoal to use? Whats everyone using and why? I tried attaching a picture of my new set-up
by Noles2424
12 Comments
Most lump charcoal will work, I use BGE charcoal that I can get at ACE.
I’d do a spachcock chicken, takes about 45 min and always comes out good. [https://thebbqbuddha.com/crispy-spatchcock-chicken-on-the-big-green-egg/](https://thebbqbuddha.com/crispy-spatchcock-chicken-on-the-big-green-egg/)
Edit: congrats! enjoy and practice makes a difference.
Get some feet or a nest for that egg…if I’m looking at it correctly, it appears to be flat on that stone. You want an air gap below the bottom to keep it from over heating and cracking.
Cook
First cook is supposed to be low and slow. I suggest a pork butt or beef rib plate. Both are very simple. Decide right now if you are the type of guy who wants to keep the deflector clean. If so you might want to wrap it in foil. Also put an aluminum pan to catch fat drippings below the grate on the deflector.
For charcoal I think the best is Fogo gold. I’ve never had garbage in a fogo bag, all else I have. I don’t mind using royal oak (BGE is their charcoal) if I need something cheap and quick, but you get what you pay for
pork butt is always the best first cook. it’s cheap, forgiving, and delicious. also, don’t sleep on desserts like brownies or apple pie.
Check out the Ceramic Grill Store for racks and rigs. I have several pieces of their stuff. Tom offers top quality stuff
Pork butt! Easy first time cook with a high reward!
Practice getting your heat consistent too. I bought a flame boss and love it.
The first thing I tried to smoke on my BGE was a chicken. Big mistake. I didn’t know what I was doing and I didn’t realize that chicken doesn’t take/need much smoke. That thing tasted like licking an ashtray in a campfire. We had to throw it out.
I agree with tomh311, go for a pork butt/shoulder. I follow this Meat Church method and it always turns out amazing! (Coincidentally, I’ve got one on the smoker right now!)
[https://youtu.be/1wMS2VeccIk](https://youtu.be/1wMS2VeccIk)
Spatchcock chicken or a pork butt
2nd on getting the feet, you will 100% burn through the wood if you keep it on stone
The eggspander is a low quality imported theft of the original Adjustable Rig from Ceramic Grill Store.
Also, a Woo with a plate is a massive upgrade over the outdated platesetter that will allow you to grill at the felt line as well as right over the coals. It’s also a huge improvement for indirect.
(short version, BGE is amazing but every single accessory has a much better and/or cheaper alternative)