Cookshack or Big Green Egg

I'm a fan of my Cookshack smoker oven, but I'm also a fan of the Big Green Egg.

I know the Cookshack can perform, and I've had tons of success using it to make BBQ. I like it so much that I converted mine to 220v so I can use it while here in Europe.

Still, the BGE is a nice product that is versatile and has its own attractions.

I'm considering adding one to my stable of cookers one day, still, I'd never get rid of Cookshack. My Cookshack is just too good and too easy.

The Cookshack smoker will be alot less labor to use and easier to clean. If your in a windy area think of what will happen if the egg got knocked over? I don't know of any glue that can put them back together. You can't cold smoke with an egg. You can't grill with the Cookshack but you said you like what you have there. I've seen Cookshacks knocked over and they still were fine. I have seen eggs set to try and run at 225 and go out. The gaskets can get torn if they get wet and then freeze. You try to open the lid and ruin the gasket. The egg is good for what it is but if your wanting the best little smoker on the market that has a proffesional grade of MFG, then the Cookshack can't be beat for a smoker.

Hey Eddy,
Those eggs are kinda heavy to get blown over!

My friend had a nice one in a purpose-built table, but all he ever did with it was make hamburgers.

I think they would roast a nice whole chicken.

scclark,

I own both an AmeriQue and Grill Dome ceramic grill (cheaper than the Green Egg and I think better constructed). First, I use the AmeriQue four times as much as the Grill Dome for all the reasons stated by Fast Eddy. However my Grill Dome sets in a wood table and is protected from wind more than the AmeriQue and the Grill Dome is waterproof. I always have to cook at 250 in the Grill Dome to make sure it stays lit. If I watch it closely I can cook at 200, but it is lots of trouble.

However! The flavors of the meats from the two smoker/BBqs are different and I use the one that will give the flavor I want that day. The AmeriQue imparts a wonderful smoked flavor and the Grill Dome gives a BBQed flavor imparted from the meat juices dripping onto the lit charcoal. The Grill Dome gives little smoke flavor even if raw wood has been laid on the charcoal.

For any kind of foul, chickens, turkeys, duck, guineas, and quail the higher temperature of the Grill Dome gives a better crustier skin and a juicier meat. Also, you can use the Grill Dome for a natural charcoal grill for cooking steaks. As I stated above I use the AmeriQue more but that is because I smoke more than I BBQ.

Hope this hasn't confused you more, but they are two different animals and we need both in our household. If I was going to buy just one or the other, I would choose the AmeriQue. If I was going to spend as much as the AmeriQue cost and wanted both, I would buy an 08 and a Grill Dome.

smokemullet

Pop some burgers in the in the cookshack for about 45 minutes and you might not miss grilling that much.

I would get the Cookshack smoker. You already have a grill for high heat cooking. With the Cookshack, you can take it with you where ever you go. I took mine to my sisters lake house and made the best brisket on the planet (22 hours). I also took it to my brother in laws house and we both set up our smokers (Smoking Tex) and smoked 8 butts for a catering job. Can't do any of this with a BGE.

dan

I guess you could say I am grill/smoker poor. I have an 08, a BGE and a Stumps Smoker. I bought the BGE 1st and love it, but when smoking it took a lot of "tending" through the night. I then bought the Cookshack 08 and tried to wear it out in the first 5 months...totally unable to do that, but the neighbors loved the attempt. Then I bought a used Stumps 222CM from someone that was "upgrading". While at the Jack I saw some one using a Stoker on their Stumps. It is a wonderful temperature control for the Stumps and the BGE that allows constant temperatures (within 1*- 2* +/-). I LOVE all of these cookers!
All that being said, If you are looking for "ease of use" easy clean-up and are not going to cook competition, Hands down go with the Cookshack. IMHO

Ssclark-

I have had a CS for years, and, until recently, a BGE.

Much of what has been said above is valid about one vs. the other.

I sold my BGE and got a nice natural gas grill with a rotisserie attachment.

The reason for this was that I was using the CS almost exclusively. I guess you get lazier as the years go by?

I had a BBQ Guru for the BGE (to control pit cooking temp vs. internal meat temp) which made using the BGE a little easier as far as tending to the fire, but, still used the CS more as noted above.

Now, I use a "Power Raptor" added to the Guru with the Smokette for long cooks to get an effect almost like using the Amerique for controlling pit temp vs. meat temp and holding the product temp when done.

What I found was that it was getting to be more trouble for me to light up the BGE (and especially just for one steak), and that I did not use the Egg for ribs/butts/brisket since getting the CS, and that it needed more maintenance than my Smokette. I had to change the lid gasket on the Egg almost once a year!


Now, I am using the gas grill about 70% of the time (mainly for chicken, roasts and crisping up stuff from the CS. I can use a wood chip holder to add wood flavor to grilled products, and a could add a charcoal pan if I wanted to.

I am not knocking the BGE. It can make wonderful BBQ with more crust (bark) than A CS, and the charcoal/smoke flavor is great.

When you get right down to it, isn't it wonderful that we have choices available to make excellent Que.

I'm looking to sell my BGE this Spring, since like you, I already have a decent grill, and my new (Jan 2007) Cookshack more than meets my smoking needs.

The BGE is a fine, versatile cooker and I'm glad I could get my hands on one to see what BBQ is all about.

But (imo) if good BBQ is what you're after AND you don't have a high fuss tolerance, I think you'll find that the BGE and others like it are quite a bit more work than the Cookshack for low & slow smoking and cooking.

Of course, there's a school of thought that says it's not real BBQ if you're not losing some sleep to check and tend the fire, but that's probably grist for another discussion.

How about a low-ball?

I'll give you $18 for it.

What would it cost to ship it to Germany?

Wow, thanks for all the responses and suggestions. As of right now I am really leaning towards the cookshack. As much as anything I am thinking aboout the convenience factor. The more I think about it, the less I want to be bothered with tending a fire.

I still believe the BGE is a great cooker but am leaning toward believing it isn't the right cooker for me at this time.

I really do appreciate all of the friendly advice and experience of the Cookshack forum members. Thanks.