Primo XL Oval vs. Large Big Green Egg

[Shuie]

I've been to the end of the internet comparing the Large BGE to the Primo XL oval today. I've watched every video on youtube and read every post on the forums.

I cannot make up my mind. I am buying one this week...

I need to be able to cook 17-20lb turkey on it. It is doubtful that the Primo Junior can handle a large turkey based on the info I have seen, so I either need the Primo XL or the large BGE. The Large BGE is about $300 cheaper than the Primo XL Oval. The Primo has all kinds of bells and whistles, coal box dividers and other **** that the BGE lacks. The Primo can do 4 huge racks of ribs w/the grill extenders because it's oval shaped. It's also 100% Made in the USA, which is cool to me. Both can do pizzas. Who needs to cook 4 slabs of ribs? Both can handle a large turkey. Both can do indirect heat for the long slow & low roasts. The Primo makes it easier to add coals during a marathon roast because of the two piece grill surface and also makes it easy to sear and cook indirect on 2 different surfaces at the same time. Do I need to do that?

I'm really torn. Has anyone been through this? Which did you buy and what was the deciding factor?

TIA

[Shuie]

Good grief, I'm sorry. Can a mod please move this to the other OT area? I thought I was in the regular OT area when I posted this.

I apologize for disturbing the stimulating political discussions.

Thanks in advance

[fintstone]

Can someone get this garbage out of PARF and back to that gay kum-by-yah area of Off Topic!!! The nerve!

[Maxim S]

Wait, so is Obama the Large BGE or the Primo XL Oval? This metaphor's going way over my head, man...

(I think this wasn't supposed to be in PARF...)

On a more serious note, I don't know much about either model, but the Oval looks like the better choice for ribs. The shape means you can get enough heat going in it without having the ribs right over it. Personally I'm a fan of the classic "oil drum" type smoker with a separate firebox, which can also be used for direct heat if you want to do non-BBQ type stuff, but it doesn't look like that's what you're in the market for.

(Edit - dang, people beat me to it.)

[fintstone]

Moderator...move this crap over where the guys exchange recipies and photos of their partially dressed wives and significant others...or the fantasy girlfriend they found on the internet.

[fintstone]

There is a spot open between the bullit Mustang thread and the manly brightly colored lycra cycling fashions thread.

[RWebb]

The Big Green Egg is clearly superior because of the symmetry and balance. The Oval is too one-sided and ideological, whereas the Big Green Egg is pragmatic.

[cvfncrew]

[tabs]

I have a BGE it is made in the USA out of the same ceramic that the Space Shuttle tiles were made of ..

I tdoes have some draw backs, like cleaning and adding more Coals if necessary...

There are time when you will want to do 4 racks of Ribbys

I would check on the kind of material that the PRIMO is made of and where.

If the additional cost is not a factor and all things are considered flip a coin. U will be happy with either.

[Shuie]

tabs, have you ever had to add coals to your egg while cooking something like a shoulder? Is it avoidable if you just start with fresh charcoal? How long should a full load of fresh coals last at ~225 degrees? Can I get 10hrs out of the coals?

I just went and looked at the Primo XL, Primo Junior, and the large BGE. The Primos really are Primo. The XL is huge and the Junior is just on the cusp of being too small for a turkey. I think the large BGE is the perfect size. edit, I just talked with a distributor who says a 15lb turkey is the absolute max for the Primo Junior.

[Rusty Heap]

You do know you can make a "ceramic cooker" by just flipping 2 large terra-cotta planter pots one on top of the other with a grill grate in-between don't you?

$30 max spent.

Or you can spend hundreds and hundreds.......

[t951]

Huge fan and owner of a BGE.
Check out the eggheads online.
It serves the same function as the other, but it feels like it is made to last forever...

[Shuie]

Originally Posted by Rusty Heap

You do know you can make a "ceramic cooker" by just flipping 2 large terra-cotta planter pots one on top of the other with a grill grate in-between don't you?

$30 max spent.

Or you can spend hundreds and hundreds.......

A couple of clay pots? Seriously? Why didn't I think of that? If it were that easy every hardware store in the US would sell them for $400 and put the egg people out of business. Until someone sells it as a 100% complete kit w/every hinge, handle, & vent and then assembles it on my patio with a 20yr warranty and a pizza stone or a paella pan for less $800 I will just buy something from a local store

[126coupe]

[tabs]

Originally Posted by Shuie

tabs, have you ever had to add coals to your egg while cooking something like a shoulder? Is it avoidable if you just start with fresh charcoal? How long should a full load of fresh coals last at ~225 degrees? Can I get 10hrs out of the coals?

I just went and looked at the Primo XL, Primo Junior, and the large BGE. The Primos really are Primo. The XL is huge and the Junior is just on the cusp of being too small for a turkey. I think the large BGE is the perfect size. edit, I just talked with a distributor who says a 15lb turkey is the absolute max for the Primo Junior.

I got about 18 hours out of a a load of fresh coals.

The original Japanese Kamodo was made form a special Japanese Clay that remained porous (production on those ceased when the last of the guys who made them in Japan died). Which the affectionados of the thing claim, that it retains moisture better than the BGE?

[Rusty Heap]

The Alton Brown Flower Pot Smoker

Clay Pot Smoker


a little brown egg in Maine: terra cotta smoker


Yet Another Terra Cotta Smoker




google is your friend........and youtube has many many links as well