I have a work friend who bought her hubby a BGE a little over a year ago. From what I'm hearing they haven't had much success with the BGE for low/slow cooks. I've watched the BGE videos and it seems to work pretty much like any charcoal smoker, not a whole lot different than my WSM. Here are their issues.
1. He HATES paying $36 for 20 lbs of BGE lump charcoal. It sounds like the seller has warned them not to use anything but the organic BGE lump. It sounds like they've been told that anything but BGE lump will contain impurities that will ruin the inside of their ceramic BGE. That sounds like a bit of an oversell to me. I've suggested RO Lump or Lazzari Mesquite lump, both available in bunches locally for 50-65 cents a lb, not $1.80/lb. I'm absolutely convinced either one will work. I know KBB creates a lot of ash because I still use it in my WSM quite often. Arguments aside between KBB and lump, is there any reason they can't use the less pure Kingsford Blue Bag briquettes in the BGE if so inclined? Any reason to avoid the RO or Lazzari Lump?
2. Somewhere during their cooking processes they cracked the ceramic charcoal ring in the BGE. She says it isn't falling apart and is just a crack. The BGE shell or firebox itself is not cracked. Does that charcoal bucket crack require immediate replacement? I wouldn't think so.
3. He has been real disappointed that their low/slow cooks are not producing delicious Q. I listened to how they did BB's recently and picked up on a few things that they are doing which resulted in tough ribs. I'll provide them with input plus hook him up with SMF. He can read to his heart's content. I'd like to have this thread as a reference for him so he can go from here. Any other advice for BGE use from BGE owners would be appreciated.
Thanks all,
Ray (which is also his name by the way)
1. He HATES paying $36 for 20 lbs of BGE lump charcoal. It sounds like the seller has warned them not to use anything but the organic BGE lump. It sounds like they've been told that anything but BGE lump will contain impurities that will ruin the inside of their ceramic BGE. That sounds like a bit of an oversell to me. I've suggested RO Lump or Lazzari Mesquite lump, both available in bunches locally for 50-65 cents a lb, not $1.80/lb. I'm absolutely convinced either one will work. I know KBB creates a lot of ash because I still use it in my WSM quite often. Arguments aside between KBB and lump, is there any reason they can't use the less pure Kingsford Blue Bag briquettes in the BGE if so inclined? Any reason to avoid the RO or Lazzari Lump?
2. Somewhere during their cooking processes they cracked the ceramic charcoal ring in the BGE. She says it isn't falling apart and is just a crack. The BGE shell or firebox itself is not cracked. Does that charcoal bucket crack require immediate replacement? I wouldn't think so.
3. He has been real disappointed that their low/slow cooks are not producing delicious Q. I listened to how they did BB's recently and picked up on a few things that they are doing which resulted in tough ribs. I'll provide them with input plus hook him up with SMF. He can read to his heart's content. I'd like to have this thread as a reference for him so he can go from here. Any other advice for BGE use from BGE owners would be appreciated.
Thanks all,
Ray (which is also his name by the way)
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