Alright thought I'd give you guys an update on the search (and research).
I went to a BGE dealer yesterday (actually got a day without the kid, spent it looking at grills and smokers).
I will say, I was very impressed. They were out of the larges which is what I was after, although after seeing the XL and realizing I could smoke two turkeys on that thing; I was tempted. The salesperson they had was very knowledgeable about everything, spoke about things he did with his own BGE.
I left almost certain I would come back Tuesday and buy one of the larges, but on the trip back to the house I got to thinking about pros and the cons.
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Pros:
1. I want to believe the salesman was right, might be the last smoker/grill I'd ever need to purchase (assuming no cracks from my own future clumsiness).
2. I really liked how tight it could keep the heat and moisture within the dome (guy said you need to burp them before you open one after hours of smoking or the steam & smoke could prove somewhat hazardous).
3. I asked about needing to add heat for butts or briskets, he replied that you really don't ever need to. Said a few bags of charcoal have lasted him all year (he smokes all the time) because of how the BGE keeps everything so well insulated.
4. Once temps are set you really don't have to baby the vents all that much, maybe check every few hours.
5. Lifetime Warranty (I will admit this a big selling point, imo).
6. There is a ton of information out there on the BGEs thanks to all the EggHeads, so finding information on things you might like to do or have something you are unsure about there is a large community out there to give you ideas or troubleshoot.
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Cons (and other thoughts):
1. Price: Easiest place to start. These guys are pricey. $799.00 for the large (XL runs you $1,090.00) and that is ONLY FOR THE EGG which leads me to number 2.
2. Added Accessories (some assembly required): alright so you've made the decision to purchase the BGE. $800.00. That's it right? No.
+You have to buy a NEST (the stand that holds it up). They have a nest that you can use to place on a flat surface with no wheels (runs you about $35-$50.00) or you buy the standard issue nest with wheels (runs you about $80.00-$100.00. They have tables you can purchase for the BGE too ($500.00) but you still need the small nest because you cannot put directly on the table (thing gets hot).
+Buy a cover($80.00-$100.00): a simple cover that protects it from the elements (unless you are able to roll it to you garage. We have stairs to our garage to that means we'd have to lift it every time. Your waiting for it to cool off and then you need at leaset two full grown men (maybe more) to lift that thing.
+Buy a convEGGtor (another $80.00-$100.00) for smoking with indirect heat otherwise your putting the meat over direct heat from your cooking grids
+Buy folding Egg Mates ($145.00) for two. These are the two shelves on the side of the egg that don't come standard issue like they do for most grills. If you bought it alone with just a nest, you'd need a table to put items or meats that you are needing to use.
While they have a number of other accessories (pizza & baking stones, grill pans, poultry roasters, even knives the with the BGE logo those listed above are what it looks like you'd really need if you wanted to get started comfortably.
3. Cannot buy official BGE accessories online (gotta be through an approved dealer)
Now I don't know if there are knock-off brands parts that fit interchangeably with BGE, but if there are I'd consider them.
Someone on the board more knowledgeable than me in this subject will likely be able to chime in.
4. Charcoal & Starters: they want you using Lump Charcoal. While I wouldn't consider this a con, the salesperson seemed pretty adamant about not using briquettes with the BGE although he couldn't give me a reasonable reason why (other than the taste is better). I don't use briquettes all that much anyway.
+The other thing was the charcoal starter they recommend to light the charcoal with. Because the salesmen all use this, I couldn't get a good answer if it'd make any difference using a chimney starter like I do for everything else. Again, someone else on this board will probably be able to clear that up for me after reading this.
5. It's heavy: again, might not necessarily be a con, but if you travel with you grill, bring a Weber to your tailgate might be the better option but considering how some of you bring those huge smokers to games, that might not be as much of a problem, but be careful because you don't want to get a crack in the ceramic. From learning more and reading forums, this is a big problem.
6. High Heat: there was also some mention of getting the heat down once it's gone up. Big reason why is because it's so well insulated that it takes some time to get the temps back down.
7. Cheaper Ceramic Grills Out There.
8. You become an Egghead.
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Summary:
I'm still thinking I really want one, but to be honest all the added accessories have put me off of it a bit.
Most other smokers/grills come with accessories needed (or are much cheaper than the egg).
I have looked at Akron and Kamado Joe grills as well, most seem to really like theirs however I have read that there is a few modifications you need to make as soon as you get them.
I'm also really considering just going for the Smokey Mountain Smoker from Weber and keep using my old grill for high heat grills.
I'm not completely ruling it out. Another thing that crossed my mind is if there was a time of year were I might find a good deal on one (black friday) or if the BGE is ever on sale at all.
One thing I a bit skeptical of was the dome thermometer's temperature accuracy. They all said that the BGE's dome temp was right on the money and they didn't really need any additional meat or grill thermometers, but experience dictates that usually the dome temp on a smoker/grill is inaccurate most of the time and because I've never owned a BGE I really don't have a clue. If I bought the BGE, I'd definitely do some testing of my own to make sure grill temps are accurate.
That's where I'm at now. I'm hoping to have made a decision in the next couple of weeks (gives me time to get everything calibrated before labor day).
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Feedback is GREATLY appreciated. If anyone else has any thoughts, saw something I missed, can answered any questions I had, or have anything else that might help your other fellow Ags on the BGE or smokers in general let me know. To some of this might not be new news, but to those in my same boat it may prove helpful.
