The Big Green Egg is an awesome-looking ceramic smoker that gets to temperature in 10 minutes, allows a bag of charcoal to last for 6 months (thanks to amazing heat retention), and can cook from 150 degrees to 700 degrees F. The BGE really gets you proper smoking as well as grilling, where the flavor gets right into the meat. The top and bottom halves have a virtually airtight felt seal, and the only holes are a variable intake air vent at the bottom front and a variable exhaust. With the combination of these vents you can vary the temperature (and maintain it) to around 25 degrees of accuracy within that 150 - 700 degrees F range. This keeps all the smoke and heat in and limits the amount of fuel burned. The ceramic doesn't develop hot spots either, so the cooking is completely even -- like an oven. Food stays moist and juicy; we've had awesome pulled pork, ribs and steaks. With the right indirect cooking accessory, you can also use the BGE as a clay oven for cooking pizza, tandoori and even pies. We have the XL version, which is massive enough for smoking 15 chickens at once! The smaller BGEs are cheaper, of course, though not cheap. However, you can basically do everything on a BGE that you can do on a regular grill. Our old bbq and BGE sit side by side on our back patio, but now we only use the BGE.

-- Matt Field

Big Green Egg
$500 (medium)
Available from Barbecues.com*

And $220 (mini) or $893 (XL) also from Barbecues.com

Also available in various sizes from Amazon

Manufactured by Big Green Egg Company

[Modeled after the ceramic "kamado" pots used in Japan, the BGE's been around since the 70's; loyal BGE fanatics ("eggheads") host meet ups IRL and share recipes and cooking tips... -- sl]

*a reader pointed out that the Big Green Egg Company has an odd policy regarding "internet retailers": the manufacturer does NOT honor the warranty if you purchase online instead of ordering from an offline retailer. -- sl

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TEC Gas Grills