Start with a cool Egg. Open the Draft Door and use a Big Green Egg Ash Tool to clear excess ash from beneath the charcoal grate. Removing ash improves airflow to your fire, helping the Egg come up to temperature.
Fill the Egg with Big Green Egg Natural Lump Charcoal, stopping 1/2 to 2 inches below the bottom rim of the Fire Ring. This leaves enough clearance beneath your cooking surfaces for the setup you plan to use.
There are several ways to light a Big Green Egg, from the Quick Light Kit to an electric charcoal starter, or natural fire starter. Choose the method that fits your setup and how hands-on you want to be, then follow the instructions below.
The Quick Light™ uses a honeycomb-style charcoal grate and stainless starter tool for fast, reliable ignition, less ash buildup, cleaner hands, and more even-burning coals.
Overview:
SpeediLight® Sticks and Twisters Fire Starters ignite easily and stay lit, making lighting Big Green Egg charcoal fast and straightforward.
Place the heating element in the charcoal and let the starter do the work. The electric starter lights charcoal quickly without matches, paper, or a gas flame.
Once the fire is established, close the dome and adjust the rEGGulator® and Draft Door to reach your target temperature. Keep an eye on the thermometer as the Egg heats up. It’s much easier to add heat than take it away — and an overheated Egg takes a while to cool down.
If you haven't already added cooking components (like grids or deflectors), add them when the thermometer is within 10 degrees of your target cooking temperature.
Adding a Heat Deflector or Cast Iron Searing Grid will cause temperature to drop slightly, but the Egg will return to temperature as components heat up.
As you approach your target temperature, make small adjustments to the Draft Door and rEGGulator® to fine-tune the heat. Use the temperature guide for reference, and begin cooking once the temperature holds steady.
Add Big Green Egg Natural Lump Charcoal until it reaches 1/2 to 2 inches below the bottom rim of the Fire Ring. This space leaves enough clearance for different cooking surfaces and accessories while giving you a long, even cook.
Exact lighting times will vary based on which method you choose to light your Egg, weather conditions, and other environmental factors.
Never use lighter fluid to light your Big Green Egg. Lighter fluid can damage your Egg's ceramics and lead to inconsistent burns
For best results, remove excess ash before every cook. Removing ash improves airflow to your fire and will help your Egg come up to temperature.
Yes. Close the rEGGulator Cap and Draft Door completely after every cook to extinguish the fire. This allows any unburned charcoal to cool down so it can be used the next time you want to cook on your Egg.
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