The Big Green Egg BBQ Is Amazing

Over the weekend, I was the proud recipient of a new barbeque, called the Big Green Egg. It is, hands down, the best BBQ I have ever used. It a charcoal grill, built from 1” thick ceramic and can achieve temperatures of over 700 degrees, which is perfect for searing steaks. Because of the thickness of the ceramic and ability to control air flow, you can also maintain temperatures as low as 200 degrees for up to 12 hours. This is perfect for smoking salmon, or ribs.

Because of the shape, you can cook large items, with no trouble at all. I got a large egg (they’re available in mini, small, medium, large and extra large), which is capable of cooking a 20 pound turkey, or 6 chickens, were the need ever to present itself. Also, because of the ability to control the temperature, you can bake in it. We’re doing cornbread this weekend.

So far, I have cooked a total of two meals on it. The first was steak and prawns. For the steak, I waited until the egg was 650 degrees, then I threw them on for 3 minutes on each side. The outside was thoroughly cooked, while the inside was juicy and pink. Then, I shut the vents, waited a few minutes for the temp to hit 350 and threw on the skewered prawns. After a few minutes, they were perfectly done. The second meal was burgers. I have never cooked a burger so juicy. It was worthy of a gourmet burger joint.

My next cooking endeavor will be a whole chicken, then ribs for the 4th.

For all of the pros, there are a few cons. The most notable downside of the egg is the price. They range in price from $300 for the Mini (large enough to cook 1 steak at a time) up to $900 for the Extra Large (capable of cooking 12 steaks or 14 racks of ribs or two 20lb turkeys). There are also a bunch of must-have accessories, for which you could easily drop another $100-200.

The other thing people may have a problem with is its size and weight. This is not a cooker you can throw in the trunk when you decide to go camping. The Large egg weighs in at 140 pounds and is roughly 3 feet tall.

Despite the minor downsides, there is no way you will be disappointed with the Big Green Egg. Once you get it, you will spend countless hours perfecting your craft and constantly searching for the best recipes.

Happy BBQing!

(One way you can cut down on the overall costs is build your own table. The picture shown is my Egg in the cart I built, with my father-in-law. A comparable table from Big Green Egg will run you $550, but building it only cost $130 and a weekend. The second external link is to the plans I used.)

Source: http://www.rantrave.com/Rave/The-Big-Green-Egg-BBQ-Is-Amazing.aspx

For Eggheads, grilling is a way of life

(CNN) -- The average temperature in Bloomington, Minnesota, in January was 6.4 degrees Fahrenheit. But that didn't stop Adam Frey from grilling outdoors and burning through 80 pounds of charcoal during the month.

Frey received a Big Green Egg -- a ceramic cooker that serves as a smoker, grill and oven -- for Christmas last year. Since then, he has devotedly grilled six or seven days a week.

"Extreme cold isn't an issue as long as you dress warm," Frey said. "I have and will continue to cook out every day if possible."

The oval-shaped grill has amassed a cult-like following since it was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1974. Fans of the grill call themselves Eggheads. Tell us about your grill of choice

Frey began grilling more than 20 years ago but got his first Egg in 2008.

"It changed everything," he said. He now owns two Eggs and calls himself a "grill junkie."

"When you find yourself waking up, thinking about what you're going to grill that night, you're pretty addicted," Frey said. iReport.com: See photos of Frey's grilled meals

With a hefty price tag and weight -- some Eggs cost up to $900 and weigh more than 200 pounds -- the uninitiated may question whether the cookers are worth it. Eggheads, though, are quick to spread the gospel.

Frey, who shared his story on iReport.com as part of CNN's "grill masters" assignment, wasn't the only one to express devotion to the ceramic cooker. Other iReporters shared photos, videos and stories about their egg-centricity.

"I am an Egghead. They should pay me, because I constantly encourage people to buy one," joked Brad Cates.

Cates, an insurance and financial consultant in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, raves about the ease of heat control and versatility of his Egg. Fueled by charcoal, the Big Green Egg can reach up to 750 degrees Fahrenheit to sear a steak within minutes or cook a slow and low brisket for hours.

"It is better than any other grill or smoker I've had," Cates said. "I've had numerous gas grills, and there is absolutely no comparison there."

Cates tends to "cook in spurts," firing up the grill for two or three days some weeks. Ribs, covered in his secret homemade rub, are his specialty. "I try to do at least three racks at a time, and they are gone within minutes," he said.

Thanks to Cates' enthusiasm, co-worker John Lindsey decided to purchase a Big Green Egg. Now he, too, raves about it.

"The grill is like no other," Lindsey boasted. "I have owned all types of grills, from the tiny charcoal grill to the giant stainless steel gas grills. But the BGE is by far my favorite."

Lindsey, 34, grills three or four times a week. His specialty is "pork in general"; baby back ribs, pork tenderloin and pulled pork are some of his favorite dishes. He owns an XL Egg, which, according to the manufacturer, can cook 24 burgers, 12 steaks or 11 whole chickens at a time. iReport.com: See some XL Egg creations

More than a million Eggs have been sold since the company began, spokeswoman Donna Myers said.

"Word of mouth literally made the Egg what it is today," Myers said. She noted that BGE founder Ed Fisher began the company with little advertising revenue.

"For many years, these devoted Eggheads became the company's primary sales force," Myers said.

Perhaps the biggest Eggheads in the iReport community are Leroy and Judy McMillin of Spring, Texas. The couple owns three Eggs and built an outdoor kitchen to house them.

"I think it's easy to see that we love our Eggs," Leroy McMillin said.

McMillin bought his first Egg, which he calls Lily, in 1999. He has two smaller versions -- named Shirley and Maggie -- that he purchased in 2006 and 2007, respectively.

His three ovoid "girls" are housed in their own hand-built outdoor kitchen called "The Coop," complete with a sink, mini refrigerator, countless chicken decorations and a red light to indicate when the grills are in use. McMillin and his wife keep the chicken/egg theme going by referring to themselves as "Spring Chicken" and "Spring Hen." iReport.com: Take a video tour of "The Coop"

McMillin, 68, is retired and considers himself one of the elder Egg enthusiasts.

"There are a few Eggheads older than me and a whole bunch younger than me," he said. "I envy their enthusiasm and creativity. They seem to want to take 'Egg'n' to the next level."

The McMillins recently attended a nearby Big Green Egg demonstration and cookout. Leroy, wearing his "I'm an Egghead" shirt, proselytized to potential buyers.

"We just wanted to pass on to any prospective Eggheads how enjoyable cooking on the Egg can be," McMillin explained. In fact, he says, many friends have purchased their own green grill, thanks to his encouragement.

The couple is headed to Atlanta in October for the annual EGGtoberfest, an annual event where more than 1,000 Eggheads converge to share recipes, meet fellow fanatics and purchase additional Eggs.

McMillin says he enjoys both barbecuing and grilling and uses his Eggs, on average, six times a week. His wife, Judy, joins in the action, too.

Big Green Egg: We're increasingly a nation of Eggheads

It's big. It's green. It's egg shaped. It's the hottest cooker in the States today.

The Big Green Egg is a ceramic grill derived from an ancient clay cooker. A smoker, a grill and an oven all in one, the ceramic walls preserve heat with accurate temperature control and no hot spots. The grill has received a cult like following since it was introduced in 1974. Devout fans of all ages call themselves "Eggheads."

More than a million Eggs have been sold. Isn't it time you had the ultimate grilling Eggsperience? (Your neighbors probably have.)