Big Green Egg XXL

The Pros and Cons of This Charcoal Grill

By
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches is a grilling and barbecue expert. He has written two cookbooks.
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Updated on 06/20/19
Big Green Egg XXL
Big Green Egg

The Big Green Egg has been producing these kamado-style grills (Japanese charcoal or wood fueled cookstoves) for decades. The Big Green Egg company prides itself on making the most versatile barbecue product available; these green, egg-shaped units act not only as a grill but also cook like an oven and a smoker. The Big Green Egg is available in seven sizes, from mini to XXL.

This monster, the XXL, is their largest grill and a special order product. It is a luxury item that might just be more applicable to catering than to backyard cooking. Certainly not as big as Weber's Ranch Kettle, this is still a very large charcoal grill, and at around 400 pounds, there are some logistical issues with buying and bringing home a grill this size. But let's be honest: at this size, weight, and price, there isn't a large market for this ultimate Kamado grill. That is why Big Green Egg only makes a limited number. 

Description and Specs

The Big Green Egg is a legend amongst backyard cooks. With the ability to hit temperatures over 600 degrees or hold them as low as 200 degrees, this unit is perfect for searing steaks and smoking briskets. The XXL unit is the largest of the Eggs and the 29-inch-diameter cooking surface (672 square inches of primary cooking space) is large enough to cook a dozen chickens—perfect for big parties or even catering. The only problem is that it isn't very mobile.

Here is a closer look at the specifications of the Big Green Egg XXL:

  • 29-inch-diameter cooking surface (672 square inches)
  • Top vent cap is cast iron; bottom vent is stainless steel
  • Heavy ceramic shell
  • Glazed interior makes it easy to clean
  • Spring loaded lid offsets the weight
  • Ceramic; made in Mexico
Pros

  • This model has everything one would expect: excellent temperature control, wide cooking ranges, and durable construction.

  • The ceramic shell holds heat for even cooking, and the excellent ventilation gives you great heat control.

  • It has a huge cooking area and works great as a smoker. Of course, because of its size, it will require a lot of fuel, but it will still burn through less charcoal than other comparable sized products and can be shut down to snuff out remaining charcoal.

  • Big Green Egg and their dealers are renowned for their service and support, so you can really trust making this investment. 

Cons

  • Because of its enormous size, this grill is really only useful for very large cookouts. It may be an efficient grill, but getting it up to temperature will take a lot of fuel and some time.

  • As you might expect, the Big Green Egg XXL is very expensive. (Check current Big Green Egg prices for the latest information.)

  • This grill is only available through authorized dealers—check out Big Green Egg's dealer locator to find one.

  • The Big Green Egg XXL will most likely need to be ordered in advance with special arrangements made for delivery.