Which Big Green Egg should I buy?

As I've mentioned in the past, I've done cooking demonstrations for the local Big Green Egg dealer and have inadvertnetly become the resource for friends & neighbors who have questions about BBQ.  Okay so maybe that wasn't so inadvertent, but I do get asked for input to a variety of BBQ & grilling related questions and I'm quite long on opinion.  =)

One of the most common questions I get is "Which Big Green Egg should I buy?".  And in my normal fashion, I answer that question with a question of my own.  How many people are you going to cook for?  Or, How much meat do you typically cook at one time?

I think these questions are much more relevant than the frequency with which you use your grill or even what things you like to cook.  The latter is really a testament to the felxibility of the Big Green Egg.  Grill (hot & fast) or smoke (low & slow), it's the most versatile outdoor cooking device I've ever seen or used.

Nonetheless, here's my recommendations for which BGE to buy.

• If you normally cook for less than a dozen people, I'd buy a large.
• If you normally cook for just your immediate family, I'd buy a large.
• If you like to accessorize your major purchases, I'd buy a large.  There are tons more accessories from Big Green Egg and 3rd party manufactures for this size than any other.
• Now if, like me, every time you fire up the grill you draw a crowd, then I'd get an X-Large.
• Mini-Med: 
  • To me, these sizes fit niche uses. 
  • I think a medium is a great addition for someone who already owns a Large, or wants to use it for times when you're cooking for just yourself &/or your spouse.
  • A small might be good for the RV, tailgaiting, or an activity where portability is important.
  • Mini?  I can't think of a good use for a mini except maybe as a paperweight or conversation piece in your den.  I just can't imagine ever getting much use from that size Egg.

Well that's the selection criteria as I see it.  Am I right or wrong?  Let me know by leaving a comment.

Cheers,
Braddog

Comments

[Joel]

When I attended the Waldorf, MD Eggfest two years ago, we were given XLs to cook on. I have a Large at home and I was impressed by the added space when stepping up to an XL. It's just my wife and myself (and a toddler now), so the Large is plenty big.

I'd love to get a mini, though. After the Eggfest, we adjourned to a neighboring motel parking lot for post-event tailgating. It was fuin to see at least fifteen guys who'd been grilling on XLs all day long squatting on the ground huddled around their minid making sliders or homemade franks. The mini has it's place when you absolutley MUST grill.

I would try doing a pork shoulder on one, though.

[Braddog]

Thanks for the note Joel. I agree (obviously), that it's hard to beat a large.

I'd love to make it down to the mother ship for Eggfest one of these days.

Cheers,
Braddog

[Chris]

Ohhhhh the question is WHICH BGE to buy. I made the mistake of going with HOW MANY to buy ;)