Big Green Egg Large
Charcoal Grills

Big Green Egg Large

4.7
Expert Rating

Legendary ceramic kamado grill delivering unmatched versatility and lifetime durability.

Reviewed by Elizabeth MartinezNovember 8, 2025

Our Review

The Big Green Egg Large is the original ceramic kamado that sparked the American outdoor cooking revolution. For over 45 years, the Big Green Egg has maintained its position as the gold standard through exceptional build quality, unmatched versatility, and a passionate community of devoted users. The proprietary ceramic blend used in the Big Green Egg provides superior heat retention and insulation compared to metal grills and even competing kamados. This allows the Egg to maintain rock-solid temperatures for hours with minimal fuel consumption. During our testing, we consistently achieved 12+ hour smoking sessions on a single load of lump charcoal, with temperature fluctuations of less than 10 degrees once stabilized. The 256 square inch cooking area is perfectly sized for families and small gatherings. We regularly cooked for 6-8 people without feeling cramped. The cast iron cooking grate provides excellent heat retention and creates beautiful sear marks. The adjustable top and bottom vents offer precise temperature control—we found it easy to maintain steady smoking temperatures around 225°F or crank up the heat to 700°F+ for pizza and searing. What truly sets the Big Green Egg apart is its versatility. This isn't just a grill—it's a complete outdoor cooking system. We successfully grilled steaks, smoked brisket and ribs, roasted whole chickens and turkeys, baked pizzas and bread, and even made desserts. The extensive accessory ecosystem allows you to customize the Egg for specific cooking styles.

Pros

  • Proprietary ceramic blend offers superior heat retention
  • Exceptional fuel efficiency with 12+ hour burn times
  • 256 sq in cooking area perfect for families
  • Temperature range from 200°F to 750°F+
  • Lifetime warranty on ceramic components
  • Extensive accessory ecosystem and passionate community

Cons

  • $1,000+ investment requires serious commitment
  • 162-pound egg weight plus nest makes relocation difficult
  • Learning curve for temperature control mastery
  • Ceramic vulnerable to thermal shock and impact damage
  • Nest/stand sold separately adds to total cost

Specifications

Cooking Area
256 square inches
Grill Diameter
18.25 inches
Temperature Range
200°F - 750°F+
Material
Proprietary ceramic blend
Grate Material
Cast iron
Egg Weight
162 pounds
Total Weight with Nest
219 pounds
Charcoal Capacity
9 pounds lump charcoal
Warranty
Lifetime on ceramic, limited on metal components

Our Testing Process

We conducted comprehensive testing over eight months with over 100 cooking sessions exploring the full range of Big Green Egg capabilities. Testing included extended smoking sessions (12-16 hours), high-heat pizza cooking, reverse-sear steaks, whole turkey roasting, bread baking, and various grilling applications. Temperature stability was monitored using data-logging thermometers throughout extended cooks. We measured charcoal consumption rates at different temperature settings and evaluated the effectiveness of the vent system for temperature control. Long-term durability was assessed through exposure to various weather conditions.