Speaking as someone who’s been in love with BBQs for a long time, having a reliable and durable companion for grilling can make a world of difference in improving your grilling game.
Unfortunately, not every grill is built the same. Some offer more convenience and practicality than what you’re paying for.
That’s right, I’m talking about the Big Green Egg (BGE). This sustainable, practical, and convenient grilling equipment can do everything and anything you need for an enjoyable dinner.
What Is a Big Green Egg?
When people talk about “grilling” they typically refer to that rectangular piece of metal of a charcoal BBQ.
Often, they also think of a pretty straightforward use. Start a fire using charcoal or wood, flip your food over the fire a few times, serve on a hot plate, and enjoy.
The Big Green Egg, however, offers more than a typical Tuesday afternoon grill.
For those wondering, the BGE is a Kamado grill. It’s a type of egg-shaped (hence, the name) ceramic grill that originated in Japan.
Kamados are known for their versatile design, superior insulation, and temperature control. The BGE, in particular, has won USA Today’s award for the most versatile grill.
The BGE primarily uses charcoal as fuel. But you can also use wooden chips alongside coal to add a unique, smoky flavor to your food.
Benefits of Having a Big Green Egg
There are plenty of benefits to using the Big Green Egg. Here’s a few of them:
It Can Do Everything
As I’ve already said, the BGE can do everything. Packed with convenient and practical grilling features, there’s no end to the dishes you can cook with it.
Besides grilling burgers, steaks, seafood, and chops, the Big Green Egg doubles as a low and slow-smoker for ribs and briskets.
Are you roasting whole turkey or pork shoulder? Perhaps baking a slice of pizza, stewing lamb, making a hearty soup, or braising pot roasts?
No matter what dish you throw at it, the BGE has your back.
Superior Fuel Efficiency
The Big Green Egg’s design allows it to retain more heat while cooking. The charcoal burns well and consistently, but you won’t have to refuel every few minutes.
Once you’re done cooking for the day, close the air vents, and allow the flame to extinguish.
Next time you’re grilling, poke the remaining charcoal, take the ashes out, light the whole thing, and you’re good to go again. Lighting the Big Green Egg will take as little as 15 minutes.
Despite reaching high temperatures inside to produce the most succulent steaks, the BGE remains cool outside. So, it’s relatively safer than traditionally open BBQ grills.
Practical Cooking Features
The Big Green Egg’s precise temperature control is one of the things I, and many of my friends, love about it. It has two cleverly-designed, sliding vents to increase or decrease temperature.
By closing or opening either of the vents, you can control how much oxygen circulates in the ceramic dome, which affects the heat it generates.
Achieving the right temperature for your dish is easy with the BGE’s attached temperature gauge.
For more convenience, you can also find a Bluetooth-enabled thermometer. Connecting the BGE to your phone lets you track your cooking without missing out on fun dinner activities.
Smart and Durable Construction
The ceramic in the Big Green Egg is made of high-quality clay. It has a uniquely fine texture, which is what makes it durable and long-lasting.
This fine clay texture also makes the BGE more efficient in moisture absorption than other varieties of Kamados that use coarse ceramic.
Final Thoughts: Should You Invest In a Big Green Egg?
The Big Green Egg costs more than your typical metallic and rectangular grill. So, it’s perfectly natural to wonder whether it’s worth the hype it’s receiving, most importantly, your investment.
So, should you get one?
Well, that ultimately depends on your grilling needs. Mind you, if you did get one, you may never need your smoker or any other grill again.
Still, given its versatility, fuel efficiency, and durable design, I can confidently say that the Big Green Egg is worth every penny.
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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