Weber or Big Green Egg?

[ColdCuts]

I'm in the market for a new grill. I was going to go with Weber, naturally. But while poking around online for which model to buy, I caught wind of the Big Green Egg.

I've cooked many a great meal on a Weber and I'm comfortable with them. But, I've never seen, much less eaten anything cooked in a BGE. Anybody have any insights? Are Weber grills and Big Green Eggs comparable things, or is the BGE something else entirely?

Thanks, fellas.

[ucla695]

Here's (http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=124103) a thread about the same question on another site.

[Commander Quan]

If all you want to do is grill burgers, steaks, and things similar get the Weber. If you think low and slow type BBQ is something you'd like to get into go with the BGE. The BGE is overkill for just grilling.

[Dave128]

A buddy of mine in South Carolina got a BGE for Christmas. He is absolutely in love with it and says that there is nothing better, especially for low and slow BBQ. I'm heading there for a visit in a few weeks and he promised me he'd whip up something good on that sucker. From how he describes it, I can't wait! :dr

[Stevez]

Can't compare the two directly, but I have always had Webers, have two of the 18.5 inch Weber Smokers and love them. They are phenomenal smokers for the price. I have always wanted a BGE but the large sizes are very expensive and aren't very portable from what I understand. I will have a BGE one day I'm sure but for now, love my Weber. I just saw a new 22.5 inch weber at Cabelas over the weekend and it is extremly nice for $399 I believe. I think the BGE's start at $699. Good luck and either way, you will have fun!

[elderboy02]

Send a PM to BengalMan. Ian has a BGE I believe and he can tell you more :tu

[BengalMan]

I have a Weber gas and a large BGE. The Weber gas I use for burgers and what not. The egg I use for prime rib, smoking salmon, pork butt, brisket, steaks, chicken, pizza, etc.

The egg definitely gets more use, but if I'm in a rush and just want to throw a chicken breast, burger, or chunk of salmon on to have ready in 10-15 minutes, then I obviously use the gas grill. That's not to say the egg can't do grilling. I solely cook my steaks on the egg, it can reach 700 degrees and sear a MEAN steak in a matter of 10 minutes if lit properly.

You can use the egg for pretty much anything you do on a gas grill, just depends if you want to spend the time. I wouldn't trade my egg for anything, I absolutely love it.

[ColdCuts]

I appreciate all the great responses! I'm still intrigued by the BGE no doubt, but considering how heavy it is and the price tag, I might stick with Weber.

I DO want to try my hand at slow and low BBQ. It's my all-time favorite food. But, there are those that say this can be done with great results on a 22.5" Weber -- I've heard the 18.5" is a little too tight for indirect heat.

[Commander Quan]

If you have the room for one, a 18.5" weber smoky mountain is a great smoker, and even if you bought both you're still cheaper than the BGE alone.

That being said I have both a weber kettle and smoky mountain and would trade them both for the BGE.

[ucla695]

It's possible to do indirect on the 18.5", but it does get tight. If you're thinking of Weber, I'd get the 22.5". I have the 26.75" and love it! It has plenty of real estate for grilling and smoking. I also have a 18.5" Smokey Mountain, which I also love. The only thing I'd trade them in for are a ranch kettle and 22.5" smokey mountain, respectively.

[mosesbotbol]

If you are doing BBQ, hard to beat WSM. So simple and efficient. BGE is sure nice, but never used or ate from one.

[hammondc]

If all you want to do is grill burgers, steaks, and things similar get the Weber. If you think low and slow type BBQ is something you'd like to get into go with the BGE. The BGE is overkill for just grilling.

I have both and fully endorse this statement.

[omowasu]

If you have the room for one, a 18.5" weber smoky mountain is a great smoker, and even if you bought both you're still cheaper than the BGE alone.

That being said I have both a weber kettle and smoky mountain and would trade them both for the BGE.

Weber Smoky Mountain will cover both bases and is actually a wonderful smoker. Recommended.

[mahtofire14]

I personally don't have one due to the cost, however my old man does, and has let me smoke a couple of racks of ribs with it just to see how it does. I have to say I have never had such an easy time regulating temps. Extremely efficient in burning charcoal as well. Don't have to use barely any. If you have the money I would recommend an egg. That coming from a barrel smoker guy....

[jjirons69]

I have a TON I could write, but I'm not. I try to have one of each - covers all bases.

[wrinklenuts]

I have a Weber Smokey Mountain 18.5 and I LOVE it! Now I'm in the market for a 22.5 Weber Gold Kettle Grill.

[Ubiquitous]

If you're looking at Kamado style grills, don't overlook the Char Griller Akorn. It's got quite the fanbase. I've been using one for a few years now, if I get rid of it I think I'll replace it with a Kamado Joe.

This guy is a great resource!

http://mancavemeals.net/

[mosesbotbol]

Costco was selling a Kamado grill last season for a very reasonable price.

[blugill]

I had this EXACT same decision about four years ago!
The Weber Performer is a fantastic grill and will last for a long time. It's the same grill used by the BBQ Pit Boys on their You Tube channel. I'd suggest everyone interested in any kind of outdoor cooking check them out. But with all of that said, I chose the BGE and here's why:
1. It'll likely be the last grill you'll ever buy.
2. It's easily the most versatile grill you'll ever buy.
3. Burgers, hot dogs, bread, pizza, baked beans, dutch oven dishes, meats, seafood, I haven't found anything I couldn't cook on it yet.

Yes it's more expensive however I've made done my best outdoor grilling on the BGE and I feel I've become a better cook because of it. The Weber Performer is easily my second choice on the matter, charcoal of course.

Now if you're not interested in grilling or smoking with charcoal then by all means spend the 300 and find a cheap propane grill. But if you're interested in learning the art of the grill and building the fire for it then go with one of these two grills.

As for the efficiency of the BGE, during the last winter olympics I got it to 700 degrees with a howling wind outside at 20 degrees and grilled two rib eye steaks and baked two potatoes along with asparagus marinated in olive oil and sea salt.

The steaks literally took two minutes per side. That is one thing the steel Weber can't do as to the thick walls of the BGE.

I'm going to make ribs today in fact!

Either way you can't go wrong! That I promise!

[blugill]

Full disclosure, to smoke on the BGE you'll have to purchase a plate setter, it's a ceramic oddly shaped plate with three prongs that extent up or down depending on what you want to cook.

It allows for indirect cooking or smoking.

With the Weber Performer you can just build the charcoal on the opposite side of the grill.

There is also a big difference in charcoal. You need to use lump charcoal with the BGE. You can use briquettes though in a pinch with no problems. It's just made for lump and there is less mess and cleanup. No big deal, they both work fine.

When I bought mine I bought the rib rack and the pizza stone along with the place setter.

[shade]

Costco was selling a Kamado grill last season for a very reasonable price.

I ended up getting one of those (Vision Grill Classic) a couple of weeks ago, after I had my heart set on a BGE. I absolutely love it!!!

So far I've made spatchcock chicken, chicken thighs, pork tenderloin, london broil, ribs, ABTs, baked beans, broccoli, asparagus and caulliflower, and PIZZA on the Vision. My son said the Pizza was the best he ever ate. That's saying a lot coming from him.

Priced about $200 - $300 less than a Green Egg, and includes a stainless steel nest (x-tra $ on the Egg).

I still have a Weber gasser that I'll keep for quick burgers or searing meats, but so far at least 99% of my recent grilling has been on the Vision.

:tu:tu

[hudd]

I saw a new "egg" style grill over the weekend. Grill Dome. Thicker ceramic material all stainless hardware, lifetime guarantee on the entire unit except for the seal and that's a five year guarantee. Price is very close to BGE and they have 5 colors to choose from.

[ColdCuts]

I do appreciate all the thoughtful input. The BGE does sound great. Hell, they all sound great in their way. But, FWIW, I went with a good ol' Weber 22.5 One-Touch Gold. Perhaps a Weber Smokey Mountain or a BGE will come later, but with my upcoming nuptials, so much is influx right now that I've decided to stick with what I know.

I'm just so happy that it's finally perfect outdoor cookin' and cigar smokin' weather here in New York that I'm beside myself. :D

[dwoodward]

I'm just so happy that it's finally perfect outdoor cookin' and cigar smokin' weather here in New York that I'm beside myself. :D

Amen brother! Put that weber to use and don't look back!

My opinion, the BGE's look nice, but seriously costly for the amount of cooking space you get. I'd take a weber any day! I think you made the right choice. :D

[Dave128]

I was able to see and use a BGE (extra large) this weekend. Had ribeye's one night and slow cooked baby back ribs another. The temp control was amazing and the meat was tastey, but I'm really not convinced it's worth all that money. That could just be my upstate New York opinion.

[pektel]

Amen brother! Put that weber to use and don't look back!

My opinion, the BGE's look nice, but seriously costly for the amount of cooking space you get. I'd take a weber any day! I think you made the right choice. :D

Agreed. I took a look at BGE's the other day while I was waiting for some glass to be cut at the hardware store, and thought about the lack of cooking space for the price. I understand that temp control and effeciency are a lot better on the ceramic grill, but at a large increase in price. I couldn't justify it, but realistically speaking, I can't afford one anyways. I need to put a better deck/patio on the house before investing in an expensive grill out there. I've seen broken BGE's where a wheel catches a crack/board in the deck and the grill tips over and smashes. Or the lip from the apron and garage floor.

Plus, to me it's fun to learn the steel grill. Everywhere you go is not going to have a green egg to cook on, and it would suck to be limited in your grilling knowledge to not know how to properly cook a meal on a weber. Not saying that the BGE fans DON'T know how to do that, only saying one SHOULD know how to use a basic grill as well. Hell, I still can't make as good of a ribeye on a barrel style steel grill as I could on my old 22.5" weber.

[Felixcigar]

We went with the Weber Genesis propane and are very happy with it.

[equetefue]

You couldn't go wrong with either one. I have the weber as well and is great