Big Green Egg: EGGspander system!!

[Spinaker]

Big Green Egg has just come out with there new expansion system. (EGGspander) Originally, I was going to buy a similar system from the Ceramic Grill store; then I heard that BGE was coming out with their own line, so I waited. From the initial unboxing, it seems that the wait was worth it.The grates are heavy-duty and stainless. The main reason I was looking at this, was that the system allows you to remove the convEGGtor , all the grates+food in one fell swoop. This is a huge improvement if you would like to access the fire during the cook. No more looking for a good surface to set four different (HOT) items.

The system is also expandable to include half-moon ceramic pieces and grates for semi-indirect cooking. Additionally, you can flip the cradle over and have the grate lowered to charcoal level for some killer searing action! Also, you can elevate the smaller grate or pizza stone into the dome for blisteringly hot dome temps. The system also allows you to cook on two different levels while going low and slow, for extra capacity. There are a TON of possibilities with this set up. (as you can see below)


Anyway, I am pretty pumped that BGE got on the innovation train and came out with this new system for the BGE line. Especially since KJ has had something similar (or identical) for a while now. I just threw a new gasket on the BGE so I will have to wait for tomorrow to use this baby, but I am really looking forward to the increased flexibility and ease of use!

[EdF]

Looks grate!

[Spinaker]

You rebel you! EdF I love how everyone kinda has there own style when it comes to the BGE!

[EdF]

I destroyed too many gaskets making pizza and steaks in the preceding 10 years. I just check how the lid is resting once a year and adjust as necessary. Works well enough!

[Spinaker]

That is all that matters! EdF

[Mosca]

A couple-three years ago I got something called the WOO Ring, it is the same as that bottom piece and works the same. It is my most useful item for the BGE, I don't use the plate setter without it. I could use that sliding top grate, but I don't want it enough to pay for it.

Honestly, I'm still kind of ticked off about the Instant Pot that I haven't used since the week I got it, and the TWO sous-vide machines that I never use. About 75% of stuff I get, I don't use. I guess I'm an old fart, I just do what I do.

[Spinaker]

Yeah, I was looking at the Woo as well. I also wanted the extra capacity, and this was actually cheaper than what they were selling at theCeramic Grill Store. You, EdF and Skip were the people I thought of when this finally came today. I thought you guys would find it kinda cool.

[Mosca]

If I wasn't already invested in the WOO stuff, I'd be all over it, probably the starter kit.

[Spinaker]

SO far so good! Mosca I am already getting the itch to add more accessories. Let's see how far down this rabbit hole I go........

[Attjack]

Awesome. Kind of like what my Primo xl does.

[Spinaker]

Yep! The Primo has distinct advantages over BGE, KJ and WSCG

[Attjack]

However being able to lift everything out at once like you now can do is something I still cannot do.

I like the pic on the eggspander page where they use it to make bacon eggs and biscuits all the same time.

[LA Pork Butt]

I think it is a great innovation, but I am already heavily invested in Ceramic Grill Store stuff - Woo, Rig and half stone and grate. I use it all but like Mosca noted I use the Woo most with the platesetter and without. I use the other Grill Store stuff, but have things like Grill Grates that I rarely use. I suspect like most us there are thar are go to items and then there is a list of accumulated items that I just had to try. Fortunately I haven’t been bitten too badly by MCS that I have a bunch of cookers that I never use. That is not to say there isn’t temptation oh temptation.

[Mosca]

I use the GrillGrates pretty frequently. That's a nice item, flipped upside down it's a great surface for steaks.

[LA Pork Butt]

Mosca I am not a big stake guy, so I don’t use them a lot. I like grill roasting meats at the felt line with the Woo without the platesetter. If i did more steak I’m sure i’m sure I would use them more.

[Troutman]

Happened to run into a You Tube video of that system, looks really neat !!! I like stacking grates, and stainless to boot !! I’m not an egg guy but enjoy your new toy !!!

[Spinaker]

Thanks!

[Mr. Bones]

Thanks Brother!
It looks like they have put a great deal of thinkin, engineerin, testin, etc. into their new product, fer which they deserve great accolades, especial in this day, an age.
I absolutely (expletive omitted) LOVE that, when folks git IT, an git it right! 3 thumbs up!!!! (polydactylism )

My Beloved Cowboy hat is summarily tipped in their direction, here.
(All yall know I don't give that up, easy, like...)

[Spinaker]

Well I managed to pillage the 1/2 price bin chuckie, four beef shorties and a pork shoulder up top! I love the extra capacity. And it all looks so nice inside the EGG. So far I am really happy with this new system, I am goin very low n' slow today, so we will see how far into the night this cook takes me. Man, this is fun!

[Henrik]

Finally! Its about time BGE did this. Looks great, I love how the top grate slides in. Smart! Thanks for great annotated photos Spin.

[Spinaker]

You got it man! You think you will be able to get this set up in Sweden? I hope they ship to you...........

[Henrik]

Yep, that shouldn't be a problem. BGE has strong representation here, and plenty of bbq shops sell them. So no import needed :-)

[Jon Liebers]

A couple-three years ago I got something called the WOO Ring, it is the same as that bottom piece and works the same. It is my most useful item for the BGE, I don't use the plate setter without it. I could use that sliding top grate, but I don't want it enough to pay for it.

Honestly, I'm still kind of ticked off about the Instant Pot that I haven't used since the week I got it, and the TWO sous-vide machines that I never use. About 75% of stuff I get, I don't use. I guess I'm an old fart, I just do what I do.

got me a woo set up over two years ago! because BGE was totally unresponsive to its customer needs. Too little too late.. and yet another ala cart item for the BGE$$$ I really like my egg but after five years of deep diving into bbq, well there is just a whole life outside the Egg ecosystem that I think makes at least as much sense and is much more cost effective. By that I mean even the komado komodos make more sense for the added quality, primo, etc, not to mention all the alternatives like a MAK or a M1 etc...even a PBC!

[Spinaker]

The way I look it, I got my BGE and table for $400. To me that is a hell of a deal. I know BGE was slow to come out with their accessories, but I wasn't a BGE owner for all of that time. So to me, none of that really matters. The BGE is so easy to run, I think it was well worth the price I paid. This was more about a new toy, rather than BGE's short comings.

[EdF]

With the warranty since 2002, I was able to gather enough parts to build a second LBGE by spending $130, and to gift it to a friend. No complaint here.

[BBQPaddy]

I had a hell of a learning curve when I first got my BGE but since I've gotten comfortable with it, I love the product. I haven't done a lot of comparison but I have a friend who has a different model on the on thing I noticed on his is that the cooking surface is quite small. (12 inches?). Figuring out the right accessories if my nemesis.

[Spinaker]

I have the beef ribs all finished! It was nice having the extra space offered up by the EGGspander.

The BGE has held steady at 225 F for the entire afternoon. I found some B&B charcoal in my area too! So that is a huge plus I love how long it burns in the BGE.

I would say the pork shoulder and the chuckle are going to be burning into the night!

For now........ here is a beef short rib for ya!

[fuzzydaddy]

Well that is a beautiful beef short rib! Nicely done and congrats on the EGGspander system.

[Spinaker]

Thanks fuzzydaddy ! Great to hear from you.

[holehogg]

I'd give almost anything to chew on that.

[Skip]

Wow Spinaker Really nice cook and great post on the Expander System. Too bad for me already having the Ceramic Grill Store version.

[Spinaker]

That is why I held out. But I think they are pretty much the exact same. Hope all is well Skip !

[dshaffes]

Nice looking rib and congrats on your new BGE system. It looks like a winner!

[Spinaker]

Thank you, sir!

[Jon Liebers]

does anyone know if a Woo will accommodate any of the "new" BGE accessories?

[Spinaker]

I am not sure. I own the Egg spander but no Woo so I am not sure.

[LA Pork Butt]

I have the Woo and the Rig and I doubt much will be interchangeable with the expander. While the systems are similar they are different.

[Rjbachtold]

How much does one of these run?

[BBQPaddy]

My question as well. Went to the website and got all kinds of info but no price. Makes me wonder if it's very expensive?