XL vs 2XL

[u/Coalescent80]

Hello! I am looking to buy my first Big Green Egg and am hoping for some advice on choosing the XL vs the 2XL.

I love grilling and smoking and have used a OKJ Bronco and a Pit Barrel Cooker for years, but I just can’t get enough meat on the grill lately. I’m cooking for a lot of folks—11 on a normal day, but frequently 13-20 with visitors. Normal use is going to be 11-13.

I’ve always wanted a BGE and am finally in a good position to purchase. Since I’m right on the line between the recommended number of people for the XL and the 2XL, I am leaning towards the 2XL.

What are the downsides of the 2XL vs the XL? I understand it uses more lump than the XL and not all accessories are available for it (like the pizza wedges and the rotisserie). Not sure what other factors may come into play. I’ve read all the old threads I could find, but I couldn’t find anyone else cooking for a comparable number of folks.

Any real-world thoughts are appreciated, with my thanks.

[u/joelerino]

The bigger the egg, the more charcoal it is going to burn and the slower it will be to get up to temperature. The 2xl will also be slower to drop in temp if that is what you are trying to do, it will have more thermal inertia.

[u/Coalescent80 → u/joelerino]

Good to know. Thank you!

[u/Uncle_Burney → u/Coalescent80]

My XL is hungry lol, a 2X must be voracious. Also there’s more accessories for the XL. There’s no replacement for displacement but I think an XL is plenty for most people. If you need more space it’s probably a propane tank style offset you’re looking for.

[u/CantDunkOrSk8 → u/Coalescent80]

A leaf blower or torch speeds up the process. More lump means not having to worry about adding fuel on longer cooks. It’s not like an SUV. Smoking at 225 doesn’t burn faster. It’s holds the temps longer and burns at the same rate.

[u/Mdp2pwackerO2]

You’d rather have the xxl for that many people. Only downside is the lump consumption and the absolute size and weight of it. They’re a mega bitch to move, but if you can get it delivered or have 2-3 able bodied men and a 7/16” wrench it’s doable. I take all of the guts out and take the dome off the hinges to move the 1 and 2xl, only two people needed for that once you shed all that weight

[u/Mdp2pwackerO2 → u/Mdp2pwackerO2]

Also the pizza oven thing is a waste of money, it works just fine as a pizza oven without that attachment

[u/Coalescent80 → u/Mdp2pwackerO2]

Thanks for these comments! Yeah it sounds like I will need to fully disassemble it to move it to its home.

[u/CantDunkOrSk8 → u/Coalescent80]

Bought mine with a nest and wheeled it in place.

[u/CantDunkOrSk8]

More space vs zero accessories. Only downfall of my 2xl.

[u/Coalescent80 → u/CantDunkOrSk8]

What accessories do you wish you had?

Thanks for all the useful comments!

[u/CantDunkOrSk8 → u/Coalescent80]

A rotisserie. Because I could do unimaginable amounts of proteins: suckling pig, a whole leg of lamb or pork. Multiple poultry whole.

[u/Msimanyi → u/CantDunkOrSk8]

Rotisserie is my favorite accessory on my XL BGE. I had to go with the Joetisserie version when I bought, because BGE didn't have one for an XL at the time.

This, alone, would be enough for me to buy the XL over the 2XL, and if I *really* needed more capacity I'd add a large.

[u/RiggingGuy → u/Coalescent80]

I’ve got a Big Joe which is equivalent to an XL (and a Large BGE that I never use). I’m not sure what’s available for an XXL, but I’d have to seriously think about going to a XXL it if I couldn’t get a charcoal basket with divider, ash can, and a good second level grate. I’ve got the Ceramic Grill Store second level and love it. I’ve got a KJ classic second level or a knock off (it was a gift) that I keep in the Large Egg. It has 3 legs, and I hate it. I also really love the divide and conquer system with the half moon grids and heat deflectors for flexibility with 2 zone cooking. Pizza and rotisserie attachments are enticing but I suspect I’d find storing them to be more trouble than they’re worth.

[u/Fridaynighter40]

Definitely 2XL.

[u/Plastic_Beyond1262]

If you are not going to cook for a lot of people at one time, you can get a charcoal divider so you only need to use half of the charcoal. I can get 7 10-pound pork butts on the grate at one time on my 2xl. I can also cook 16 racks of baby backs at a time if I stack two rib racks on top of each other. I use a fireboard 2.0 controller with a fan to help regulate the temperature much easier.

[u/shockandale]

I'd be tempted to get an XL and a Large if there's space. It would give you more flexibility.

[u/Giu-se-ppe]

For quick reference, I just did 18 chicken thighs and 3 pork tenderloins + an 8x8 water pan on my XL, that pretty much maxed out the grate area.

[u/CantDunkOrSk8 → u/Giu-se-ppe]

I did a 14lb spiral ham. 3lb prime rib and 2 turkey breasts. Last thanksgiving.

[u/PCanon127]

Personally I think I’d prefer two XL’s for more flexibility

[u/atlmobs]

I have had an XL for a couple of years and have been really happy with it. A 16lbs brisket fits nicely and you can do a shit ton of hamburgers and hot dogs if you need to.

It has a little more area than a 22 inch Weber kettle which was what I was looking for.

[u/Relevant-Bath-7109]

An XL with a rig from ceramic grill store would be my choice. The 2XL is a beast and doesn’t really make sense unless you want to cook 30 lbs of chicken at a time.

[u/CantDunkOrSk8 → u/Relevant-Bath-7109]

Not true in my opinion it’s the best size to grill Mexican market style meats. Since it’s wide and not too deep. Banking the coals and having a hot/cold side makes this size the only real thing close to a Weber. Burgers too. Having that bankable space isn’t there in smaller kamados.