They are popular and full disclosure: we do LOVE them. But is it the right fit for your custom kitchen design?
Time for pool days, fireworks, and BBQ’s Tampa Bay! Grilling out is a summer pastime, or if you live in Florida, a year-round pursuit. Any grill-master knows that you need a top-notch grill to cook your steak, burgers, and hot dogs. Which begs the question, Big Green Egg…Yay or Nay?
Here at Synergy Outdoor Living, we’ve done the research so you don’t have to. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of the Big Green Egg!
Why Get a Big Green Egg
We’re going to be honest with you…there are a lot of pros with this grill. It lends to so many cooking options! But again, you may want to see if any of the cons make it not a fit for your home.
Legendary Grilling + Smoking
The Big Green Egg is a legend among backyard cooks. It has the ability to hit temperatures over 600 degrees and even hold them as low as 200 degrees, which makes it the perfect unit for searing steaks or smoking briskets.
The large unit, aptly named the “Big Green Egg,” has an 18-inch diameter cooking surface which is large enough to hold a 20-pound turkey! You can grill and smoke plenty of food at your next cook-out with one of these bad boys.
Wide Range of Temperatures
The Big Green Egg has a strong ceramic shell that can withstand a wide range of temperatures. Rest assured that you don’t need to worry about it cracking if you decide to smoke some ribs on a freezing (well Florida freezing) cold day!
Even at its hottest temperature inside, the outside remains relatively cool. The Big Green Egg was designed with efficiency in mind, and you will find that you won’t use as much charcoal as you would on other grills of comparable size.
Feature we love: when you are done cooking, you can close the vents to stop the remaining charcoal from burning and save it for your next backyard cookout.
Better Heat Control
Heat in the Big Green Egg is controlled by a vent in the bottom, and one on the top. These are simple to use and give you a great deal of control. In fact, you can control the heat better in the Big Green Egg than on a charcoal grill or even most gas grills!
With its highly insulative design, it is easier to raise the temperature than lower it, so once the charcoal has begun to burn, limit the airflow and slowly open the vents to reach the desired cooking temperature.
Long–Lasting Smoker & Grill
Big Green Eggs tend to last longer than their comparable smoker/grill counterparts, so while the hefty price tag (around $850) might seem high, if you look at it from the standpoint that you will be able to use this grill for many years, and use it for grilling and smoking, in the end, it is really a reasonable investment. If you are grilling dinner multiple times a week, then the cooking variety is a big bonus for the Big Green Egg.
Pros
To recap, let’s go over some of the pros of the Big Green Egg:
- Ability to hit high temperatures and hold low temperatures for smoking
- Large 18-inch diameter cooking surface ( Or Larger if needed)
- Strong ceramic shell that can withstand a wide range of temperatures
- Even at its hottest temperature inside, the outside remains relatively cool
- Efficient design. You don’t need to use as much charcoal as other grills
- Heat is controlled by a vent in the bottom, and another on top which gives you a great deal of control
Cons
Now, let’s take a look at some of the cons of the Big Green Egg:
- The color. Even though it’s for all tastes, the Green color isn’t a fit for all design aesthetics. (We have Primo Grills with similar attributes that are black.)
- Slightly higher price point, but the quality is well worth it in our opinion.
- The Big Green Egg is designed to cook with the lid closed as much as possible. Heat, moisture, and smoke can escape quickly, which does not allow you to peek at your food very often.
- Lighting charcoal can take more time than starting a gas grill.
- Getting to the right temperature can be a learning curve.
- Though not required to get good use out of the Big Green Egg, add-on accessories can be expensive.
Should I get a Big Green Egg?
From where we stand, we would say a resounding “Yay!” to the Big Green Egg. Its features and ease of use make it an amazing investment, especially for those who love the taste of food cooked with charcoal vs. gas. You can also get a nice smoky, charred flavor with this grill.
Build Your Custom Outdoor Kitchen
In Florida, grilling is a way of life. Synergy Outdoor Living brings together the best grills and outdoor kitchen components to create a stunning environment for cooking and entertaining. We customize your space to suit your lifestyle including wine fridges, bar accessories, sinks, cooktops, and storage all built within a flawlessly designed custom kitchen.
if your dream is to have an amazing outdoor kitchen complete with your own Big Green Egg (or other Kamado Grill), your wish is our command! Contact us for a free design estimate today! Contact Synergy Outdoor Living online or at 813-322-2137!
What do you think? Would you invest in a Big Green Egg? Stay social and share your thoughts with our Facebook Community!
