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So, you’ve finally got yourself a Big Green Egg? You’re up to great surprises and a lot of fun.

This wondrous piece of cooking kit can do it all. Whether you need a reliable companion for smoking, grilling, steaming, or even baking, the Big Green Egg has it covered.

To help get you started, here’s a quick tutorial on how to fire up your BGE ready for the fiery action.

How to Grill With the Big Green Egg

One of the things I love about the BGE is its uncomplicated setup. Under the smart Kamado design are practical and convenient features to level up your grilling game.

Follow these steps and make memorable BBQ nights with your family and friends:

Setting Up

Start by replacing the ceramic lid with the dual-purpose metal top. Open the egg-shaped dome by pulling the handle upwards.

Remove the stainless steel cooking grate inside the dome. Once the grate is out of the way, load your charcoal fuel just about the top of the fire ring.

I’d recommend using the Big Green Egg’s natural lump charcoal for the best cooking results. But any decent lump coal (hardwood or natural) should do the trick.

Here’s a golden rule when choosing your fuel:

Avoid using charcoal briquettes when cooking with the Big Green Egg. These pillow-shaped charcoal produce more ash and typically use adhesives that can affect your food’s flavor.

After loading your fuel, open the lower draft door and the top vent and you can start lighting.

Lighting the Big Green Egg

You have several options when it comes to lighting.

There’s the Big Green Egg’s natural charcoal starter. These are highly flammable blocks of compressed sawdust with paraffin wax coating.

Simply place one or two pieces of the blocks on the charcoal, light them up with a lighter, and close the dome after several minutes.

Another convenient option is the Big Green Egg’s electric charcoal starter. Plug in the electric fire starter, stick the heating coil into the charcoal, and wait for the charcoal to burn.

Remove and unplug the electric fire starter once you see the red glow coming from the charcoal.

Place the stainless steel cooking grate back in place, close the dome, and wait for the temperature to rise to perfection.

Reaching Cooking Temperature

One standout feature of the Big Green Egg is its precise temperature control. You can do this by tweaking the lower and top air vents.

Use the lower draft door for larger temperature adjustments. Sliding the dual-function top cap open or close will let you fine-tune the heat in smaller increments.

The general idea here is to manage airflow. The more oxygen you allow in the egg the higher the temperature will increase.

It does require some practice, but nothing you can’t quickly learn after a few rounds of cookouts with the Big Green Egg.

Don’t worry about using thermometers, the Big Green Egg has a dedicated heat gauge for easier temperature tracking.

After cooking, close the lower draft door and replace the ceramic damper lid. Closing the airflow will turn the fire off and decrease the temperature.

Big Green Egg Safety Reminders

Is this your first time operating the Big Green Egg? Here are some safety reminders to keep in mind to avoid injuries and ruin your BBQ night:

Start With Something Easy

I can’t stress this enough, but if you’re still learning to use the BGE, it’s best to start with something easy. So, no smoked brisket, prime rib roast, or anything complicated.

Unless you want your efforts (and food) wasted, learn to control the Big Green Egg’s temperature controls first.

Just do simple BBQ recipes with the stainless steel grid until you get the feel of the Big Green Egg’s controls. Think of burgers, sausages, or any meat-on-sticks.

Never Use Lighter Fluids

Never use lighter fluids when cooking with a Big Green Egg. Ceramic is a porous material and can absorb any liquid it comes into contact with.

Filled with chemicals, lighter fluid can seep into the porous walls and impart unpleasant flavors to your food. Not to mention void your Big Green Egg warranty!

Preventing Flashbacks or Backdrafts

Opening the Big Green Egg immediately after cooking can be dangerous due to flashback fires. They happen when oxygen suddenly surges inside the Kamado.

Let the Big Green Egg “burp” by cracking the dome an inch or two a few times before opening it completely. This technique will prevent air surging and potential flashback injuries.

Final Thoughts

That’s how you fire up the Big Green Egg. Now you know how to set up the fuel, fire the charcoal, control the temperature, and prevent potential risks.

Of course, as with any kitchen tool, it’s worth spending a little time learning its mechanics to get the best results.

So, what do you think? Are you ready to host your first BBQ dinner with the Big Green Egg?

Ben Esman

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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