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Editor’s Note: This article is part of our series focused on the “Best Accessories for the Big Green Egg.” Besides this “Top 10 List,” we also have articles about the Best Big Green Egg Cookbooks, Best Cooking Surfaces for the BGE, Best Lump Charcoal, Fire Supplies, Cooking Tools, and many more.

Be sure to check out our Big Green Egg Brand shop as well – where you can see all the Big Green Egg Brand products we carry in our store.

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1-Big Green Egg Accessories – The EGGspander

The Big Green Egg ‘EGGspander’ is a “Flexible Cooking System” and it is the #1 “Must Have” accessory for the Big Green Egg in our opinion.

Why?

Because using a Flexible Cooking System like the EGGspander will change the way you use your Big Green Egg. With a flexible cooking system you can 

• Cook High
• Cook Low
• Cook both Direct AND Indirect at the same time
• And gain a world of flexibility.

You can shop for the Big Green Egg Eggspander on Amazon …

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Is there an alternative to the EGGSpander?

The Kamado Joe Divide and Conquer FCS fits BGE’s and a less expensive option to utilize a flexible cooking system in your Egg.  

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2-Big Green Egg Accessories – A Kamado Cookbook

There IS a learning curve when it comes to cooking on a kamado-style grill like the Big Green Egg. Do yourself a favor and get a cookbook specifically designed for kamado grills because not only will you get some great recipes but you’ll also pick up some much-needed tips on HOW to use your BGE. Here are 3 great books to consider.

• Smoke it Like a Pro on your Big Green Egg
• The Big Green Egg Cookbook
• Hot Coals – a User’s Guide to Mastering your Kamado Grill

Shop our store to see even more kamado-style cookbooks.

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3-Big Green Egg Accessories – Hand Protection

With temps that can reach up to 800 degrees or more, you can’t mess around when you’re cooking on your kamado grill. Do yourself a favor and get a good pair or welding gloves or some high-heat rated rubber-style hand protection. (You’ll also want a good pair of meat claws and long-handled grilling tools but that’s a whole other article).

My dad’s a retired welder (40+ years on the job) so personally I use his old welding gloves, but if you don’t have that luxury, consider some of these great options.

• Rapicca Leather Forge Welding Gloves
• Grill Beast BBQ Cooking Gloves
• Big Green Egg High Heat BBQ Gloves

Shop our store to see more glove options.

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4-Big Green Egg Accessories – Remote Thermometor

As fun as it is to cook on the Big Green Egg nobody wants to sit by the fire all day. You want be with friends, drink a few brews, and relax without always wondering about the temps of your meats. Having a good remote thermometer allows you to do that. The two most popular brands to consider are ThermoPro or Maverick. Here are some of their most popular models…

• ThermoPro TP22 Wireless Remote Thermometer
• Maverick ET732 Long Range Wireless Thermometer

You’ll find more meat thermometers and temperature controls on this page too.

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5-Big Green Egg Accessories – Electric Fire Starter

Sure you can use a charcoal chimney, or blow torches, or tumbleweed and those all do work, but if you want to keep it easy just use an electric fire starter – you’ll thank me for it.

Some good choices here are:

• Grill Dome Rapid-Lite Electric Charcoal Lighter
• Big Green Egg Electric Starter
• Kamado Joe Electric Charcoal Starter

See more choices in our store.

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6-Big Green Egg Accessories – Ash Basket

Why use an ash basket?

Because if you increase your airflow, you’ll get more from your lump charcoal – this means easier to reach higher temps, using less charcoal per cook, and easier cleanup. Here’s a demo vid so you can learn more…

There are a lot of options for ash baskets but the most popular by far is from 1 brand to seriously consider here: Kick Ash Baskets.

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7-Big Green Egg Accessories – Pizza Stone

Who doesn’t want to cook wood-fired pizzas on their Big Green Egg? C’mon you know this is one of the reasons you bought the BGE right? Get yourself a pizza stone and give it a try. There are a lot of choices here, and you can see more pizza ovens and accessories on this page.

Stop the presses!

Pizza fans won’t want to miss this brand new accessory…The Kamado Joe “DoJoe” – it will fit BGE Large edition grills too. Here’s a vid and product link to learn more…

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8-Big Green Egg Accessories – Cast Iron Cookware

We have an entire article devoted to the best ‘cooking surfaces’ for kamado grills and you’ll find lots of cast iron products in our store, but for now just know this – the stainless steels grates that come standard with your BGE are fine, but if you want to go next-level you’ll discover pretty quickly that you’re going to want some cast iron in the mix.

Cast-iron + Big Green Egg = perfect match. 

So what should you get? A large dutch oven is a great start. As is a plancha pan or even a cast-iron griddle insert.  Here’s a few to consider…

• Plancha Griddle by Big Green Egg (This is a dual-sided griddle).
• Big Green Egg Half Moon Griddle
• Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven
• Kamado Joe Cast Iron Griddle
• Kamado Joe Cast Iron Grates
• Kamado Joe Wok (stir-fry, anyone?)

Remember, if you plan to get the Kamado Joe griddle or grates, you’ll need the Kamado Joe Flexible Cooking Rack System.

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9-Big Green Egg Accessories – QUALITY Lump Charcoal

No matter what accessories you buy for your Big Green Egg or how well you manage your fire, if you don’t have quality lump charcoal to cook with, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.

There’s nothing like doing everything right and then having the food taste bad because the lump charcoal you used was made with poor quality wood or too much of a particularly strong wood (like hickory).

Don’t let that happen to you — instead I’d recommend you buy good quality lump charcoal that has a mix of hardwoods that work with all types of foods for your basic cooks and then buy smoking wood chips for particular flavor profiles you want to add in later (such as hickory for chicken, fruit woods for fish, etc).

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10-Big Green Egg Accessories – Rotisserie Attachment

Cooking meat on a spit. Doesn’t this look good to you?

Again we’ll turn to a Kamado Joe attachment as the best choice for your BGE too. There are JoeTisseries that fit the BGE Large or XL. Here’s an example…

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And there you have it, friends, your 10 Must Have Accessories for the Big Green Egg – the New Egg Edition.

Did you find this list helpful?

Is there a ‘must have’ accessory that you think we missed? If so, let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you.

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More Big Green Egg Accessories

Shop Our Store and see more Authentic Big Green Egg Merchandise…

Are you an Egghead? Whether you’re a long-time owner of a Big Green Egg or a newbie, this article can help you. We’ll discuss which accessories are the best to buy for your BGE and why. Here’s a list of over 200 Big Green Egg accessories that will take your cooks to the next level. 

Table of Contents

Here’s how this page is organized:

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New Eggheads Start Here

Before you even consider buying any accessories it’s important to understand…

There IS a learning curve when it comes to kamado grill cooking on your Big Green Egg. And it’s a continuous learning process. 

Do yourself a favor and don’t try to figure it all out on your own – you’ll just end up burning a lot of food and getting frustrated.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are a number of good books out there that can help you master kamado cooking on your Big Green Egg and speed up your BGE Mastery learning curve.

Here are two of my favorites books – they provide some awesome kamado grill recipes as well as MANY helpful tips.

1-Hot Coals: Mastering your Kamado Grill

2-Smoke it Like a Pro on the Big Green Egg. 

After you get these two books, THEN you will be better prepared to actually use your new cooking accessories correctly…

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Best Cooking Surfaces for the Big Green Egg

1-Flexible Cooking System
(#1 MUST HAVE ITEM ON THIS PAGE)

This accessory will change the way you use your BGE and for that reason it is my #1 MUST HAVE Accessory for the Big Green Egg (or any kamado).

A picture tells a 1,000 words in this case right?

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You can use a Flexible Cooking System in your BGE and you’ll be able to…

• Cook High
• Cook Low
• Cook both Direct AND Indirect at the same time
• And gain a world of flexibility.

KJ’s Divide and Conquer system has been so successful that BGE made their own “Flexible Cooking System” and called it the EGGspander. 

The Big Green Egg EGGSpander Flexible Cooking System

Check prices for the BGE Eggspander on Amazon. 

After you make a decision on which flexible cooking system to buy, next get some Half Moon Heat Deflectors so you can to cook both Direct and Indirect at the same time or just because they are easier to use than the traditional bulky BGE place setter (aka “The convEGGtor”)

Then get these additions to conveniently hold your drip pans and/or allow you to cook higher up in the dome – which is really useful for pizza cooking too so you can avoid burning the crust. 

Finally, for even more cooking space and another higher level add these…

2-Cast Iron Griddle

Now that you have a Flexible Cooking System in your Big Green Egg tou’re going to quickly learn that the standard stainless steel cooking grates just don’t cut it for certain foods.

You want to get a good sear on steaks? Cook scallops? Griddle up some bacon and eggs? Then you’ll want a cast-iron griddle. Sure you could use a cast-iron pan but these griddles fit into your BGE and give you some great flexibility too. 

Now if you can afford to get both the cast iron grates and the cast iron griddle for your BGE, you’ll be really happy, but if you have to prioritize then get the cast iron griddle first because it adds so many more options to your cooks.

I’ve got a few options for you to pick from. Personally I prefer using the half-moon Cast Iron Griddle made by Kamado Joe – it’s 1/3 of the price of the BGE version!

If for some reason you want a stainless steel griddle, you do have an option – Little Griddle makes a nice half-moon griddle specifically for the Kamado. It’s super easy to clean and has a convenient grease trough. 

3-Cast Iron Grates

Although the cast-iron griddle is basically a ‘must-have’ for your Big Green Egg, the grates are more of a nice-to-have item in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong. I have the grates and I use them all the time for burgers, the indirect portion of steak grills, and more. Remember, if you have to prioritize, get the griddle first, then the grates. 

When you’re ready for cast iron grates, consider the Kamado Joe Cast Iron Grates (used in combo with the KJ Flexible Cooking System – the beauty of it is you can use use the griddle for direct searing and then have the grates over a half-moon heat deflector for the indirect cook portion. Bonus!) 

4. Even More Cooking Surfaces

A Quality Grilling Basket

Do you need it?

I think so. Particularly when you get a basket with a removable handle it allows you to turn fish, veggies, and delicate items easily – saving time, hassle, AND protecting your food. 

A Good Dutch Oven

Even if you have the cast-iron griddle and grates you’ll benefit from a quality dutch oven. You can never have too much cast-iron right?

But seriously, the reason you’ll want a dutch oven is because by putting a dutch oven in your Big Green Egg (and learning how to use is safely) you can BAKE and FRY inside your BGE!

There’s really one one brand here to consider – The Lodge. 

PIZZA in the BIG GREEN EGG

One of my family and friends’ favorite things in a kamado is wood-fired pizzas. They’re fun to make, taste great, and easy to do. 

For this reason I consider a Pizza Stone to be a must-have accessory for your BGE. 

Here are a few options. The BGE stone is ridiculously expensive so do a bit of research about your options and you may be able to save some money – just make sure it’s a quality stone that won’t crack on you!

After you get the stone, then get one or more of these helpful pizza accessories. Don’t overlook the Elements of Pizza cookbook here too. 

Soapstone Surface

What the heck is soapstone and why do I need it? 

Soapstone is great for cooking more delicate items like fish and veggies that you don’t want to put in a basket or cedar plank but do want to have directly on a cooking surface. Soapstone is bacteria and stain-resistant and may give you fewer flareups even though the meat cooks in its own juices. People also like using this surface for ‘smash burgers’ too. 

We’ve gotta give credit to KJ again here because they make the best version of this item – another half-moon surface that fits the Flexible Cooking System. 

CEDAR PLANK COOKING

You can’t go wrong with cooking fish on cedar plank – but cedar can be used for veggies and meats too. 

BEST ROTISSERIE for the Big Green Egg

This is a Top 10 MUST HAVE Accessory for your Big Green Egg. 

While a few companies are making a rotisserie for the BGE, there’s really only one to consider here – the “JoeTisserie.” It’s proven to work in the BGE and work well. 

Check current price for the Joetisserie on Amazon

Get the JoeTisserie and turn your kamado into a rotisserie-style cooker and take your cooks to the next level. The JoeTisserie is not just for cooking chicken, you can also use it for some great Brazilian-style steak, pork, and more.

BONUS – add a grilling basket to the JoeTisserie and cook wings, veggies, and expand your game even further. 

Other Useful Cooking Pans and Drip Pans for the Big Green Egg

An assortment of useful cooking pans that sit on the grates and/or don’t necessarily attach to the racks. Item #1 (The Plancha) is super popular and highly useful. BTW all of these are “BGE” official brand. 

All About ASH BASKETS

What is an Ash Basket and why might you want one for your Big Green Egg?

An Ash Basket lets you simply lift out used charcoal and ash before every cook and it is reported to increase air flow around your lump charcoal in your Egg.

When you use an ash basket you can dispose of ashes and be ready for your next cook in seconds—no muss, no fuss. Just lift the ash basket out and give it a few shakes in your grill or over a trash can (make sure the fire is completely out!), then set the ash basket back in place, add some fresh charcoal, and you’re ready to go in seconds.

Spaces between the ash basket’s rings allow the small particles to fall through when you shake the ashes out. You can start each cook with an ideal fuel load, whether you’re searing steaks or going low and slow. You get easier starts and more even burning for ultimate temperature control. 

The most popular choice, by far, in ash baskets for the BGE is the Kick Ash Basket.

Don’t overthink this one and get a lesser brand that’s gonna be lesser quality. You’ll use this in every cook and you’ll want it to hold up over time. Get the Kick Ash and be done with it. 

Don’t Forget the ASH TOOLS too.

Temperature Controls, Thermometers, & Remote Temp Probes for the Big Green Egg

EGG Genius (Remote Temp Controls)

Most Eggheads will agree that kamado cooking is an art, not a science, however if you want to get pinpoint accuracy with your cooks the EGG Genius may be for you. 

BGE says “The EGG Genius effortlessly controls the temperature of your EGG through your smartphone, tablet or computer. Remotely manage and monitor cooking temperatures for worry-free cooking, monitor the temperature of your food, view graphs of your cooks … and even receive alerts when your cook is finished or when the EGG temperature is too high or low.” Can you say, Wow?

Remote Probe Thermometer

As I mentioned in the Top 10 List, a good remote thermometer with remote probes that won’t break the bank is a must have item. If you can afford an Egg Genius then you won’t need these, but if the Genius is out of your budget or you want to have more manual control of the ‘art’ of kamado cooking (but with just a little help) then get one of these options. 

Other Thermometers

You’ll need a quality instant thermometer as well as a “Candy” thermometer if you want to monitor frying oils, etc. And don’t overlook the Temperature “Gun” for checking surface temps accurately on your grill cooking surfaces and so much more (I use it all the time).

Best Lump Charcoal, Fire Starters, and Smoking Wood for your Big Green Egg

Quality Lump Charcoal

You wouldn’t drive a BMW on junk tires would you? Then why are you using crappy lump in your Big Green Egg?

Now I know there are a lot of charcoal options out there when it comes to kamado grilling and there’s even a list of quality options on the Naked Whiz Database, but for my money, I believe in the Kamado Joe Lump Charcoal brand – specifically the Big Block XL version. Why? Because not only is the bag filled with really big lumps of charcoal, but even more importantly, the type of wood used is a combination of various hardwoods so you get a great flavor but not an overpowering flavor. (If you’ve ever used lump charcoal that is primarily made with hickory then you know what I mean). The KJ-Char is great for kamado grill cooking in your Big Green Egg because you can use it for all types of food – from pizza, to chicken, to beefs, to pork, and fish. It works for all of it and it compliments it all well. Using KJ-Char as your base also gives you the flexibility to then add your own wood chips to add additional specific flavors (cherry, pecan, apple, etc) depending on what you’re cooking.

Helpful Dad’s Tip:

Walmart also has some good buys on charcoal – this includes 20-lb Royal Oak for around $15-20/bag and a new line called Western which is only $10 for a 30-lb bag! Both are pretty good options in my book. 

Smoking Wood Chips

I’m sure you already know that your Big Green Egg is a powerhouse of a smoker – capable of both hot and cold smoking. While a quality lump will give you great flavor to begin with, if you want to impart true ‘smoke’ flavor into your meats you’re gonna need quality smoking wood too. Consider these options…

As an alternative to using chips or chucks, many BGE owners like the simplicity and control of ‘maze’ style smokers that use concentrated wood chips. A-Maze-N is the brand you want for this option. You can get the full maze or just a single tube. Then you’ll need the pellets too (see below).

Fire Starter Alternatives.

If you don’t want to use the Electric Fire Starter I recommended above, then consider these other options to light your Big Green Egg…

Knives, Cutting Boards, Tools, Tongs, Claws, and More

All of these are nice to have accessories for your Big Green Egg. 

Lets Start with KNIVES

If you can’t afford to get a set or don’t want one, then focus on getting a quality chef’s knife, a Filet/Boning Knife, A Brisket Slicing Style knife, along with some nice steak knives for your guests to use. Brands I mentioned before  were Wustof, Henkels, Shun, Global, Cutco, and Rapala. 

Here are the knives I recommended above along with a few more worthy ones. Also, note the knife accessories at the end, including no-cut gloves and some sharpeners. 

Carving, Cutting, and Serving Boards

Tongs, BBQ Sets, Meat Hooks & Claws, Rib Racks, Grate Grippers & Cleaners, and More

TONGS 

I prefer relatively cheap, metal-tips tongs with flanges that grasp food easier. Steer clear of anything is rubber, plastic, or silicone on the tip to avoid sticking to the grill. I also like a variety of shorter (8-9 inch) and longer (up to 16 inch) for different uses. You can never have too many tongs!

BBQ SETS 

You’ll find a wide selection of BBQ grilling utensil sets on our new website LordoftheGrills. Check it out now…

Spatulas & Fish Flippers

I like these spatulas because most of them are either long-handled or else have a wide flipper which makes them easier to use on the Big Green Egg. 

Claws and Meat Hooks for Big Green Egg

Again I keep it pretty simple for this category – I want inexpensive but that does the trick. 

RIB Racks and Smoking Meat Hooks

A few quality options to consider for rib racks and smoking meat hanging hooks for your kamado. The first two are the BGE Official ones, followed by numerous quality alternatives. 

Wing Racks, Beer Can Chicken, and Turkey Roasters

Burger Presses and Grill Presses

Grate Grippers & Cleaners

If you need a replacement on your grill grate grippers for your Big Green Egg, here are a few options. The BGE official are listed first, followed by after-market brands.

Grill Mats

Whether you are looking for a grill mat to sit under your Big Green Egg and protect the ground or sit inside on the grates, we have a few to recommend…

Mops, Basting Brushes, and Meat Injectors

Custom Tables for your Big Green Egg

If you’re ready to fly beyond the next, here are a few ideas to get your started on deciding which type of custom table you want for your Big Green Egg. These are all from Amazon, but Etsy is another good spot to check too. Prices vary widely depending on the type of material (wood, plastic, stainless steel), whether you want drawers, how wide/long, granite inserts, etc, etc. 

Heavy Duty Covers for Big Green Egg

Personally I like keeping my Egg under a cover – especially since I moved from the nest to a custom wood table. Here’s a few to consider – just be sure to measure the dimensions of your table and give a little room to play. I’ve purchased both of these Classic Accessories covers and they’ve held up well. If you have a large island like me, the final option is a winner…

Big Green Egg Aprons and other Swag

Did We Miss Anything?

If there is an accessory for the Big Green Egg that we’ve overlooked, be sure to let us know. Or if YOU have a favorite accessory you want to recommend, tell us about it in the comments below. 

Enough reading – let’s start cooking!

Are you an Egghead? Whether you’re a long-time owner of a Big Green Egg or a newbie, this article can help you. We’ll discuss which accessories are the best to buy for your BGE and why. Here’s a list of over 200 Big Green Egg accessories that will take your cooks to the next level. 

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Top 10 Accessories for your Big Green Egg

Get these items first and you’ll be well on your way to success with your Big Green Egg.

1-EGGSPANDER
(Flexible Cooking System)

Alternative to the Eggspander?

2-Kamado specific Cookbook

You need one that includes sections on ‘how to use a kamado’ so you can overcome the learning curve faster. Here are some great options.

1. Smoke It Like a Pro by Eric Mitchell
2. Hot Coals by Jereon Hazebroek
3. The Kamado Smoker and Grill Cookbook by Chris Grove

BONUS: Eric Mitchell’s first “Smoke it Like a Pro” book has been so popular, he published a follow-up called “More BBQ & Grilling for the Big Green Egg.”

4. The Official “Big Green Egg Cookbook” by Big Green Egg
5. Ray Lampe’s “Big Green Egg Cookbook: Grill, Smoke, Bake & Roast“

3-Hand Protection

This could be welding gloves or high heat rubber-style gloves. You’ll also want some good tongs and meat hooks but we’ll talk about those below. 

Your kamado will get HOT. You need hand protection!

This could be welding gloves or high heat rubber-style gloves. Here are a few to consider…

• Rapicca Leather Forge Welding Gloves
• Grill Beast BBQ Cooking Gloves
• Big Green Egg High Heat BBQ Gloves

4-Good Remote Thermometer

As fun as it is to cook on the Big Green Egg nobody wants to sit by the fire all day. You want be with friends, drink a few brews, and relax without always wondering about the temps of your meats. Having a good remote thermometer allows you to do that. There are really only 2 brands to consider: ThermoPro or Maverick.

Having a good remote thermometer allows you to do that. The top two brands (in my opinion) ThermoPro or Maverick. 

Ones I personally own are the ThermoPro TP20 and the Maverick ET732.

5-Electric Charcoal Lighter

Stop with the blow torches and the tumbleweed, just get an electric charcoal lighter – it’s easier. End of story. You’ll thank me for this one. 

Kamado Joe makes a good electric lighter and so does Grill Dome:

• Kamado Joe Electric Charcoal Starter
• Grill Dome Electric Fire Starter

6-Ash Basket 

Increase your airflow and get more from your lump. 

Only 1 brand to seriously consider here: Kick Ash and the classic option is the Kick Ash Basket

I added a demo video so you can see how it works…

7-Pizza Stone

Because you know you want to make pizzas in your Egg, right? Try one of these. The BGE version is hard to find now and there are so many options is crazy. For the value I’d go with the Kamado Joe versions…

Here’s a few to add to your shopping list:

• Kamado Joe DoJoe (we talked about this one in the Top 10 List above – it will turn your KJ into a real wood-fired pizza making machine!)
• Kamado Joe Pizza Stone
• Kamado Joe Deep Dish Chicago Style Pizza Pan
• Kamado Joe Pizza Peel
• Kamado Joe Pizza Cutter (wide grip, it’s awesome)

And I highly recommend the cookbook “The Elements of Pizza” if you really want to learn how to make a great pie. 

8-Cast-iron Cookware.

Cast-iron + Big Green Egg = perfect match. 

A large dutch oven is a great start. As is a plancha pan or even a cast-iron griddle insert. 

Learn more about cast-iron under Cooking Surfaces below.

You’ll want to add these to your list…

1. Kamado Joe Cast Iron Griddle
2. Kamado Joe Cast Iron Grates
3. Lodge Dutch Oven
4. Lodge Plancha Pan

9-Quality Lump Charcoal

No matter what accessories you buy for your Big Green Egg or how well you manage your fire, if you don’t have quality lump charcoal to cook with, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. There’s nothing like doing everything right and then having the food taste bad because the lump charcoal you used was made with poor quality wood or too much of a particularly strong wood (like hickory). I’d recommend you buy good quality lump charcoal that has a mix of hardwoods that work with all types of foods for your basic cooks and then buy smoking wood chips for particular flavor profiles you want to add in later (such as hickory for chicken, fruit woods for fish, etc). 

Lump Charcoal brands I like:

• Kamado Joe Big Block
• Jealous Devil
• Fogo Super Premium
• Western Brand (Walmart)

Smoking Wood Chunks to consider include:

• Cameron’s Wood Chunks
• Weber’s Wood Chunks
• Oklahoma Joe’s Wood Chunks
• Western Premium Wood Chunks
• Smoak also offers wood chunks in a larger supply (25-30 lbs boxes)

10-Rotisserie for the BGE

There’s really only one to consider – The KJ-made “Jotisserie” which works great on a BGE Large or XL kamado. 

Here’s a demo vid so you can see the JoeTisserie ‘in action’ the Big Green Egg – MMM.

Obviously you’re gonna need some quality meat and plenty of friends and family to enjoy your BGE cooks with, but for now these 10 “Must Have” accessories are the basics that will get you fast-tracked for success with your Big Green Egg. Once you have these in your arsenal, then move on to the full list below. 

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200+ Accessories for The Big Green Egg

Best COOKBOOKS for the Big Green Egg

What, you’re starting your list of Best Accessories for the Big Green Egg with cookbooks? 

What gives? Is a ‘cookbook’ even an accessory? In my book YES. Here’s why…

There IS a learning curve when it comes to kamado grill cooking on your Big Green Egg. And it’s a continuous learning process. 

Do yourself a favor and don’t try to figure it all out on your own – you’ll just end up burning a lot of food and getting frustrated.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are a number of good books out there that can help you master kamado cooking on your Big Green Egg and speed up your BGE Mastery learning curve.

Here are two of my favorites books – they provide some awesome kamado grill recipes as well as MANY helpful tips.

After you get Hot Coals and/or Smoke It Like a Pro, other great highly-rated cookbooks for your Big Green Egg. The sauce recipes alone in Big Bob Gibson’s book make it an incredible value!

If you must have only a “BGE” specific book, check these options out…

Best Cooking Surfaces for the Big Green Egg

1-Flexible Cooking System
(#1 MUST HAVE ITEM ON THIS PAGE)

This accessory will change the way you use your BGE and for that reason it is my #1 MUST HAVE Accessory for the Big Green Egg (or any kamado).

Let’s face it the Big Green Egg is the #1 most popular kamado on the market for a reason – the quality is awesome, the reputation is well-earned, and the Egghead community is the strongest of any kamado cooking group. BUT, if we’re honest with ourselves, BGE users shouldn’t be afraid to admit that even though Kamado Joe is a competitor KJ has made some great accessories over the years – perhaps the best of all time is their Flexible Cooking System called “The Divide and Conquer” system. Check out the theory behind the Divide and Conquer Flexible Cooking System…

A picture tells a 1,000 words in this case right?

You can use a Flexible Cooking System in your BGE and you’ll be able to…

• Cook High
• Cook Low
• Cook both Direct AND Indirect at the same time
• And gain a world of flexibility.

KJ’s Divide and Conquer system has been so successful that BGE made their own “Flexible Cooking System” and called it the EGGspander. 

The Big Green Egg EGGSpander Flexible Cooking System

The KJ Alternative?
If you can afford the Eggspander, go for it. You’ll be happy. However if you are looking for a quality alternative, the Kamado Joe Flexible Cooking System is a worthy option – not only is it less expensive to begin with but the cost of the various cooking surface inserts are less expensive as well. This can help your money go farther. 

Remember when you are converting KJ to BGE…

• The KJ Classic = BGE Large
• The KJ Big Joe = BGE XL. 

After you make a decision on which flexible cooking system to buy, next get some Half Moon Heat Deflectors so you can to cook both Direct and Indirect at the same time or just because they are easier to use than the traditional bulky BGE place setter (aka “The convEGGtor”)

Then get these additions to conveniently hold your drip pans and/or allow you to cook higher up in the dome – which is really useful for pizza cooking too so you can avoid burning the crust. 

Finally, for even more cooking space and another higher level add these…

2-Cast Iron Griddle

Now that you have a Flexible Cooking System in your Big Green Egg tou’re going to quickly learn that the standard stainless steel cooking grates just don’t cut it for certain foods.

You want to get a good sear on steaks? Cook scallops? Griddle up some bacon and eggs? Then you’ll want a cast-iron griddle. Sure you could use a cast-iron pan but these griddles fit into your BGE and give you some great flexibility too. 

Now if you can afford to get both the cast iron grates and the cast iron griddle for your BGE, you’ll be really happy, but if you have to prioritize then get the cast iron griddle first because it adds so many more options to your cooks.

I’ve got a few options for you to pick from. Personally I prefer using the half-moon Cast Iron Griddle made by Kamado Joe – it’s 1/3 of the price of the BGE version!

If for some reason you want a stainless steel griddle, you do have an option – Little Griddle makes a nice half-moon griddle specifically for the Kamado. It’s super easy to clean and has a convenient grease trough. 

3-Cast Iron Grates

Although the cast-iron griddle is basically a ‘must-have’ for your Big Green Egg, the grates are more of a nice-to-have item in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong. I have the grates and I use them all the time for burgers, the indirect portion of steak grills, and more. Remember, if you have to prioritize, get the griddle first, then the grates. 

When you’re ready for cast iron grates, consider these: (Again option #3 requires the KJ Flexible Cooking System but the beauty of it is you can use use the griddle for direct searing and then have the grates over a half-moon heat deflector for the indirect cook portion. Bonus!) 

4. Even More Cooking Surfaces

A Quality Grilling Basket

Do you need it?

I think so. Particularly when you get a basket with a removable handle it allows you to turn fish, veggies, and delicate items easily – saving time, hassle, AND protecting your food. 

A Good Dutch Oven

Even if you have the cast-iron griddle and grates you’ll benefit from a quality dutch oven. You can never have too much cast-iron right?

But seriously, the reason you’ll want a dutch oven is because by putting a dutch oven in your Big Green Egg (and learning how to use is safely) you can BAKE and FRY inside your BGE!

There’s really one one brand here to consider – The Lodge. 

PIZZA in the BIG GREEN EGG

One of my family and friends’ favorite things in a kamado is wood-fired pizzas. They’re fun to make, taste great, and easy to do. 

For this reason I consider a Pizza Stone to be a must-have accessory for your BGE. 

Here are a few options. The BGE stone is ridiculously expensive so do a bit of research about your options and you may be able to save some money – just make sure it’s a quality stone that won’t crack on you!

After you get the stone, then get one or more of these helpful pizza accessories. Don’t overlook the Elements of Pizza cookbook here too. 

Soapstone Surface

What the heck is soapstone and why do I need it? 

Soapstone is great for cooking more delicate items like fish and veggies that you don’t want to put in a basket or cedar plank but do want to have directly on a cooking surface. Soapstone is bacteria and stain-resistant and may give you fewer flareups even though the meat cooks in its own juices. People also like using this surface for ‘smash burgers’ too. 

We’ve gotta give credit to KJ again here because they make the best version of this item – another half-moon surface that fits the Flexible Cooking System. 

CEDAR PLANK COOKING

You can’t go wrong with cooking fish on cedar plank – but cedar can be used for veggies and meats too. 

BEST ROTISSERIE for the Big Green Egg

This is a Top 10 MUST HAVE Accessory for your Big Green Egg. 

While a few companies are making a rotisserie for the BGE, there’s really only one to consider here – the “JoeTisserie.” It’s proven to work in the BGE and work well. 

Get the JoeTisserie and turn your kamado into a rotisserie-style cooker and take your cooks to the next level. The JoeTisserie is not just for cooking chicken, you can also use it for some great Brazilian-style steak, pork, and more.

BONUS – add a grilling basket to the JoeTisserie and cook wings, veggies, and expand your game even further. 

Other Useful Cooking Pans and Drip Pans for the Big Green Egg

An assortment of useful cooking pans that sit on the grates and/or don’t necessarily attach to the racks. Item #1 (The Plancha) is super popular and highly useful. BTW all of these are “BGE” official brand. 

All About ASH BASKETS

What is an Ash Basket and why might you want one for your Big Green Egg?

An Ash Basket lets you simply lift out used charcoal and ash before every cook and it is reported to increase air flow around your lump charcoal in your Egg.

When you use an ash basket you can dispose of ashes and be ready for your next cook in seconds—no muss, no fuss. Just lift the ash basket out and give it a few shakes in your grill or over a trash can (make sure the fire is completely out!), then set the ash basket back in place, add some fresh charcoal, and you’re ready to go in seconds.

Spaces between the ash basket’s rings allow the small particles to fall through when you shake the ashes out. You can start each cook with an ideal fuel load, whether you’re searing steaks or going low and slow. You get easier starts and more even burning for ultimate temperature control. 

The most popular choice, by far, in ash baskets for the BGE is the Kick Ash Basket.

Don’t overthink this one and get a lesser brand that’s gonna be lesser quality. You’ll use this in every cook and you’ll want it to hold up over time. Get the Kick Ash and be done with it. 

Don’t Forget the ASH TOOLS too.

Temperature Controls, Thermometers, & Remote Temp Probes for the Big Green Egg

EGG Genius (Remote Temp Controls)

Most Eggheads will agree that kamado cooking is an art, not a science, however if you want to get pinpoint accuracy with your cooks the EGG Genius may be for you. 

BGE says “The EGG Genius effortlessly controls the temperature of your EGG through your smartphone, tablet or computer. Remotely manage and monitor cooking temperatures for worry-free cooking, monitor the temperature of your food, view graphs of your cooks … and even receive alerts when your cook is finished or when the EGG temperature is too high or low.” Can you say, Wow?

Remote Probe Thermometer

As I mentioned in the Top 10 List, a good remote thermometer with remote probes that won’t break the bank is a must have item. If you can afford an Egg Genius then you won’t need these, but if the Genius is out of your budget or you want to have more manual control of the ‘art’ of kamado cooking (but with just a little help) then get one of these options. 

Other Thermometers

You’ll need a quality instant thermometer as well as a “Candy” thermometer if you want to monitor frying oils, etc. And don’t overlook the Temperature “Gun” for checking surface temps accurately on your grill cooking surfaces and so much more (I use it all the time).

Best Lump Charcoal, Fire Starters, and Smoking Wood for your Big Green Egg

Quality Lump Charcoal

You wouldn’t drive a BMW on junk tires would you? Then why are you using crappy lump in your Big Green Egg?

Now I know there are a lot of charcoal options out there when it comes to kamado grilling and there’s even a list of quality options on the Naked Whiz Database, but for my money, I believe in the Kamado Joe Lump Charcoal brand – specifically the Big Block XL version. Why? Because not only is the bag filled with really big lumps of charcoal, but even more importantly, the type of wood used is a combination of various hardwoods so you get a great flavor but not an overpowering flavor. (If you’ve ever used lump charcoal that is primarily made with hickory then you know what I mean). The KJ-Char is great for kamado grill cooking in your Big Green Egg because you can use it for all types of food – from pizza, to chicken, to beefs, to pork, and fish. It works for all of it and it compliments it all well. Using KJ-Char as your base also gives you the flexibility to then add your own wood chips to add additional specific flavors (cherry, pecan, apple, etc) depending on what you’re cooking.

Here are some options to consider…

Helpful Dad’s Tip:

Walmart also has some good buys on charcoal – this includes 20-lb Royal Oak for around $15-20/bag and a new line called Western which is only $10 for a 30-lb bag! Both are pretty good options in my book. 

Smoking Wood Chips

I’m sure you already know that your Big Green Egg is a powerhouse of a smoker – capable of both hot and cold smoking. While a quality lump will give you great flavor to begin with, if you want to impart true ‘smoke’ flavor into your meats you’re gonna need quality smoking wood too. Consider these options…

As an alternative to using chips or chucks, many BGE owners like the simplicity and control of ‘maze’ style smokers that use concentrated wood chips. A-Maze-N is the brand you want for this option. You can get the full maze or just a single tube. Then you’ll need the pellets too (see below).

Here are just a few examples of the smoking pellets you can use in the A-Maze-N for your Big Green Egg. There are tons to choose from.

Fire Starter Alternatives.

If you don’t want to use the Electric Fire Starter I recommended above, then consider these other options to light your Big Green Egg…

Knives, Cutting Boards, Tools, Tongs, Claws, and More

All of these are nice to have accessories for your Big Green Egg. 

Lets Start with KNIVES

If you can’t afford to get a set or don’t want one, then focus on getting a quality chef’s knife, a Filet/Boning Knife, A Brisket Slicing Style knife, along with some nice steak knives for your guests to use. Brands I mentioned before  were Wustof, Henkels, Shun, Global, Cutco, and Rapala. 

Here are the knives I recommended above along with a few more worthy ones. Also, note the knife accessories at the end, including no-cut gloves and some sharpeners. 

Carving, Cutting, and Serving Boards

Tongs, BBQ Sets, Meat Hooks & Claws, Rib Racks, Grate Grippers & Cleaners, and More

TONGS 

I prefer relatively cheap, metal-tips tongs with flanges that grasp food easier. Steer clear of anything is rubber, plastic, or silicone on the tip to avoid sticking to the grill. I also like a variety of shorter (8-9 inch) and longer (up to 16 inch) for different uses. You can never have too many tongs!

BBQ SETS 

These BBQ Sets make great gifts and (with the exception of the BGE official set) all of them are 4+ star rated on Amazon with 100+ reviews. 

Spatulas & Fish Flippers

I like these spatulas because most of them are either long-handled or else have a wide flipper which makes them easier to use on the Big Green Egg. 

Claws and Meat Hooks for Big Green Egg

Again I keep it pretty simple for this category – I want inexpensive but that does the trick. 

RIB Racks and Smoking Meat Hooks

A few quality options to consider for rib racks and smoking meat hanging hooks for your kamado. The first two are the BGE Official ones, followed by numerous quality alternatives. 

Wing Racks, Beer Can Chicken, and Turkey Roasters

Burger Presses and Grill Presses

Grate Grippers & Cleaners

If you need a replacement on your grill grate grippers for your Big Green Egg, here are a few options. The BGE official are listed first, followed by after-market brands.

Grill Mats

Whether you are looking for a grill mat to sit under your Big Green Egg and protect the ground or sit inside on the grates, we have a few to recommend…

Mops, Basting Brushes, and Meat Injectors

Custom Tables for your Big Green Egg

If you’re ready to fly beyond the next, here are a few ideas to get your started on deciding which type of custom table you want for your Big Green Egg. These are all from Amazon, but Etsy is another good spot to check too. Prices vary widely depending on the type of material (wood, plastic, stainless steel), whether you want drawers, how wide/long, granite inserts, etc, etc. 

Heavy Duty Covers for Big Green Egg

Personally I like keeping my Egg under a cover – especially since I moved from the nest to a custom wood table. Here’s a few to consider – just be sure to measure the dimensions of your table and give a little room to play. I’ve purchased both of these Classic Accessories covers and they’ve held up well. If you have a large island like me, the final option is a winner…

Big Green Egg Aprons and other Swag

Did We Miss Anything?

If there is an accessory for the Big Green Egg that we’ve overlooked, be sure to let us know. Or if YOU have a favorite accessory you want to recommend, tell us about it in the comments below. 

Enough reading – let’s start cooking!

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