Grilling
Grilling with the Large Adjustable Rig
When grilling on ceramics, we recommend two approaches. The first grilling approach uses a very hot fire to sear, char or sauté. Grilling burgers and steaks are the most common cooks. Our preference is to perform these cooks close to the lump, either atop the fire ring or inside the fire ring where the temperatures are greatest. Our Large Spider is the preferred platform for these cooks. To learn more, about the Large Spider, click here.
The second grilling approach uses typical oven temperatures (300° - 425° F) to create a light crust, cook to an internal temperature, render fat and/or crisp skin. Examples of these cooks include: grilling brats without breaking the casing; finishing steaks to doneness after a sear, roasting chicken or rendering bacon fat on Jalapeno poppers (ABTs). Our recommendation is to complete these cooks by raising the grid(s) up to the fielt line or into the dome. The Large Adjustable Rig and Woo3 are the preferred equipment choices for raising the grid(s). Large Woo3 details can be found here.
By raising the grid, temperature control is less demanding. Simply, you minimize your chances to burn the food. Plus, handling food with tongs and turners is much easier. Many Big Green Egg® veterans advocate that reflective heating off the dome and/or convective heat patterns within the dome enhance grilling on a raised grid. We can confirm that many Woo and Adjustable Rig owners have commented: When grilling, the cooking methods are easier and the end product is characteristically better with a raised grid.
The one question we get often is: What is the best height for raised grilling? There is no "best" height, as everyone's goals, habits or cooking procedures are slightly different. With the Adjustable Rig pieces, it is nice to know you have flexibility, as the Rig provides several options for raising the grid(s).
Single Grid Grilling:
As pictured below, the most common raised grid configuration is the Adjustable Rig on the fire ring and the grill’s 18” grid atop the Rig. This set-up puts the cooking grid 6” above the fire ring, 2” above the felt line and depending on the amount of lump in the firebox, 10” to 13” from the lump. Also, since the Rig's upper ring is only a 1/4” wide, the entire 18” grid area is available for grilling. To help keep the grid properly positioned, the Rig's top ring slips between the grid's outer band and center support wires.
With the 18" grid atop the Rig, there is ample room to grill just about anything. It's approximately 10" from the grid to the top of the Big Green Egg® daisy wheel. Another advantage of having the grid above the felt line (atop the Rig) is it minimizes grid interference when adding wood chunks or using a "lump" stir stick during the cook.
A raised grid set-up inside the Rig is possible by using the Rig Crossbars. The grid heights are 1.5”, 3.0” or 4.5” (felt line) above the fire ring. We offer two grid options for inside the Rig: 16.5” Round or 13”x17" Oval Stainless Grids. Both the 16.5" Round and 13”x17” Oval Grids are fabricated with 304 Stainless and have an Electro-polish finish for improved surface performance. Merits of each Grid can be found here
Again, the grid set-ups are easy to configure. Set the Rig Crossbars at the desired Level and place the 16.5” Round or 13”x17” Oval Stainless Grid on the Crossbars. If you prefer to grill at the felt line, similar to the Large Woo3, we recommend setting the Crossbars on Rig Level 4.5, the felt line. You can also raise a cast iron grid up on the Crossbars for easier food handling as pictured below with the grilled hamburgers on Big Green Egg's medium cast iron grid (15CI).
As a comparison, grilling with our 16.5” Grid on the Crossbars is comparable to grilling with the grill’s 18” grid on the fire ring. Generally, when grilling directly on the fire ring, the inside diameter of the fire ring defines the grilling area. On the Large Big Green Egg®, the fire ring’s inside diameter is typically less than 16”.
Multiple Grid Grilling:
Grilling with multiple grids is possible on the Large Adjustable Rig. Pictured below left is the large 18" grid and our 16.5" Round SS Grid on Rig Level 1.5. Please note the lower grid is below the felt line, so when grilling with this type of set-up, the large 18" grid must be removed or the Rig pulled from the cooker to access the lower grid. Pictured below right is the Sliding Grid set-up with one Oval Grid at the felt line and another atop the Rig Extender. With this Sliding Grid set-up, all you do is slide the lower Oval Grid in and out. More on Sliding Grids can be found here.
Another multi-grid option uses our Large, 9"x18", Stainless, Half Grid for 1-1/2 grid grilling. The Half Grid sits atop and along the backside of the Adjustable Rig. The Half Grid is a handy staging area when searing with a cast iron grid on the Spider (scallop & crab leg cook below) or atop the fire ring with the large (18") CI grid, pictured below right. Or, create a raised grid, two tier heat zone by setting the lower grid on the Crossbars, pictured far below left. The Rig's 6-inch height and open front provides easy access to the lower grid.
