It’s a big, green grilling machine. And arguably the best-known kamado.
By Geoff Nudelman for Serious Eats
Published July 22, 2024
As far as kamado-style grills go, Big Green Egg is a legacy name with a robust following. The first Egg debuted in 1974, and the iconic green dome has grown to feature several sizes and a broad range of accessories to satisfy even the most discerning of “Eggheads.”
About a year ago, I entered the Egg community with a large size (the third-biggest of seven options) complete with an “IntEGGrated” Nest, Handler, and acacia wood folding shelves. This 162-pound beast replaced my pellet grill. However, while ceramic kamado-style grills can be used for grilling, they also excel at smoking. I grilled during my first few sessions with the Egg to get the hang of temperature control and cooking range and slowly ventured into slightly longer bakes and smoking sessions with larger pieces of meat and fish (and many vegetables). Recently, I made my first brisket and even tested the Egg’s capability as a pizza oven. Here are my thoughts on this big, green griller after owning it for 12 months.