Purchasing a Big Green Egg product makes for a great addition to any cooking setup. You can get amazing flavors and food quality when using one.
Many people love to use theirs to make homemade dishes that taste as if they came right from a restaurant. One of the biggest tips to keep in mind while using a Big Green Egg is that you need to understand how it functions and how hot it gets.
When you have this knowledge, you will know exactly how to cook your favorite foods and how much time it will take to get the perfect finished product. By learning more about your Big Green Egg, each recipe you try will be even more successful than it was before.
Heat Index
A great feature of the Big Green Egg products is that the temperature controls are extremely precise. This gives you plenty of options in terms of what you can cook and how the end result will turn out.
To adjust the level of heat you are using with your Big Green Egg, you simply need to adjust its air flow. This is going to drastically alter the temperature of the appliance at a rapid rate.
The draft door and dual-function metal top work in unison to create ample heat. When you open the draft door, you are allowing air to flow into the Big Green Egg.
This air produces a lower temperature each time that the door is opened. It allows for longer cooking times without accidentally burning your food in the process.
When you close this door or leave it minimally vented, this traps the heat inside rapidly. This option is great for high-temperature cooking that is likely to be done more quickly.
To determine exactly what you need, you should consult the recipe you are following for guidance. Learn what the ideal temperature is for the food you are cooking.
This will tell you whether you need to open the draft door a little or a lot. Also, keep the cooking time in mind.
Remember that the Big Green Egg uses hot coals to evenly cook your food. When you allow more air into the device, this will make your coals burn more quickly.
While the temperature does drop, you get the advantage of a long and steady cooking time. The opposite is true when you allow less air inside.
You will get a very hot oven for cooking food a little more quickly. The reason why the Big Green Egg is extremely precise is that you can vary exactly how much you would like to crack the draft door.
If you are curious about the maximum temperature the Big Green Egg can reach, you should expect for a heat up over 1000° Fahrenheit with the vents fully open. This is going to give you an accelerated cooking time and temperatures much hotter than a traditional oven.
It is recommended for Grilling to be around 500 degrees. If you are looking to cook things like pizza or a quick sear on meat, then 800 degrees is a little more realistic for a good turn out.
What it Means
Learning about your Big Green Egg is wonderful, but you also need to be able to apply this knowledge to the way you cook with it. Make sure that you understand how the temperature relates to what you are doing when you use the Big Green Egg.
If you plan on cooking something for more than 10 minutes, it is not recommended to leave the dome lid open. This will cause the heat to increase very rapidly.
When the coals are unrestricted this way, they can heat up to well over 1000° Fahrenheit. As you know, this temperature is way too hot and unsuitable for almost any food you are trying to cook.
The heat will rise so quickly that you will inevitably burn your food in the process. This is a big reason why you need to mind the placement of the lid.
Not only will your food be overcooked, but you could also seriously damage the Big Green Egg’s ceramic finish in the process. You want to avoid this because the Big Green Egg will provide you with plenty of longevity if you use it properly.
You should always BURP the lid when you are cooking with a Big Green Egg. This means that you need to open it slowly as you cook instead of taking it off and creating a heatwave.
Gradually open the dome an inch or two when you are ready to allow some airflow into the Big Green Egg. You will want to do this and then pause to give the oxygen time to settle.
Another reason why you do not want to do this quickly is because it can lead to potential injury. If you take it off too fast and the oxygen enters the Big Green Egg, this might cause a large flame that is very dangerous to you.
When you use your Big Green Egg properly while understanding how it heats up and cools down, you will be able to take on any recipe you can imagine. The Big Green Egg is a great product that is also very durable and easy to use.
Take the time to make sure that you are using it to your advantage, and you will be very happy with the results. If you are ever unsure about how you need to move the lid or how much you should open the draft door during cooking, remember what the airflow will do to the flame.
With these tips in mind, you will have confidence while using your Big Green Egg. This is a big part of being successful while using it and also being comfortable as you do it.
The Big Green Egg website is a great resource because you are being given advice from those who know it best. You can find a lot of information on the website regarding how to use your Big Green Egg and exactly how each function works.
There are multiple Big Green Egg products, so make sure that you read up on the model you own. Even though they are similar, there are different tips to follow depending on which one you are using.
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.
--
If you want more backyard tips including recipes, how-tos and more, make sure you subscribe to my youtube channel
Greg
Saturday 8th of October 2022
"...up to 4530° Fahrenheit."
What!? That's twice the temperature of a volcano!!!!!
Ben Esman
Tuesday 11th of October 2022
Typo. Sorry about that and thanks for pointing it out!