Are you looking for a multi-functional appliance for your outdoor kitchen? Here is one piece that can do several cooking functions!
(this post first appeared 3/29/2021, I have updated it with new insights & more pictures)
Last Spring when we first began planning our outdoor addition, we had planned to purchase a gas grill and a portable pizza oven. My husband loves to grill out and has been using a gas grill for years. I really wanted an actual brick pizza oven but when I found out it would cost a minimum of $12,000, I started looking at alternatives. I found a gas-powered tabletop unit that I thought would work.
That all changed when we walked into the local Ace Hardware store last Spring. We were looking at gas grills and a salesman came up to see if he could help us. Dave explained that we were looking for a gas grill and I mentioned that I was ordering a tabletop pizza oven. The salesman asked if we had considered the Big Green Egg. In all honesty, neither of us knew anything about the Big Green Egg except I thought they were ugly so I just wasn’t interested. And I pretty much told the salesman that too.
To the salesman’s credit, he was not offended by my attitude. He began to educate us. He very patiently explained all the different types of cooking that the Big Green Egg could do. When he got to “and you can cook pizza in it….”. I began to listen! When we did the math and realized we would still be money ahead after purchasing the Large Big Green Egg and all the “toys” (as I call the accessories) we would need to get started, we were convinced!
The Outdoor Kitchen
As part of our outdoor addition (read more about it here …. and here….), we expanded the existing lanai and added a composite roof over the expanded area. Below is the original 3D rendering of the area.
Technically, it isn’t a real outdoor kitchen because we don’t have a sink . We will have a prep area as well as a dining table . I am getting ready to order the prep table . I am dying to set up the dining table as well as the rest of the furniture but we are waiting for the final power washing to be completed.
We were originally going to order the Big Green Egg with the metal stand on wheels called a nest. We decided to go ahead and get the Acacia table as it would provide more work space and a bit of storage. The table has casters so we can move it around the outdoor kitchen if we need to. The Big Green Egg is nestled in the small nest to add stability. The Egg and the table arrived on St Patrick’s Day while I was in Illinois. I just realized that having the Big Green Egg delivered on St Patrick’s Day was kind of cool! Green for St Patrick’s Day!
We really love the Acacia Table. It not only keeps the Egg secure, it give us plenty of space to work. I even use the table to sort craft supplies and silk flowers when Dave isn’t using it cooking!
The lockable wheels allow us to move it around the lanai. Dave prefers to do the actual cooking out in the “open” rather than under the composite roof area.
Our First “Cook”
This past weekend, we went to two different hardware stores and picked up a few of the “toys” that we would need. The most important thing we needed before we could cook was the special charcoal and the fire starters. I am extremely scared of fire and am hoping that I can get over my fear and light the Egg when Dave is busy on the golf course or in the pool! update: Just so you know, to date (3/19/2022), I still haven’t tried to light the Big Green Egg!
Since we have been talking about getting the Egg for almost a year, we have had plenty of time to watch You Tube videos, read articles and ask questions.
For our first attempt, we decided to roast a pork loin. Dave does most of the grocery shopping for us. He found the pork loin on special at the local Winn Dixie. With a sharp knife, I made slits in the meat and stuffed minced garlic in the slits. I then coated the top and sides with an herb blend. I poured extra virgin olive oil over the meat and put it in the refrigerator to marinate for several hours.
After the Egg was at 400 degrees, Dave was ready to burp the Egg. You have to burp it before you open it as a safety precaution.
We grilled the meat for about an hour and a half until the internal temperature was 160 degrees. The first attempt was a success! The meat was moist and flavorful! Can’t wait for the next time!
I don’t have a recipe for the herb encrusted pork roast that was our first cook on the grill. Here is a recipe for another grilled pork entree.
All of the steps can be found here:Pork Roast with Texas BBQ Rub
Pork Roast with Texas BBQ Rub
Equipment
- 1 measuring spoons
- 1 glass or plastic pan to marinate
- charcoal or gas grill
- cutting board
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Texas BBQ seasoning by Mad Dash Mixes
- 2 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 2 1/2 lb pork roast
Instructions
- pour olive oil on one side of pork roast , covering the top and the sides
- sprinkle at least 1 tablespoon Texas BBQ seasoning over the top of the meat, rub in
- flip meat over and repeat the olive oil and Texas BBQ seasoning steps. Be sure to coat the sides of the meat also.
- allow the meat to marinate at room temperature for at least 30 minutes or in the refrigerator for several hours.
- place meat on grill, right over the flame and sear each side for 2 minutes. Then move meat farther away from the flames and continue to cook for approximately 1 hour.
- Meat is cooked when the internal temperature reaches at least 170. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature
- remove from heat and place on cutting board. Allow to cool slightly before slicing
Notes
While this Italian Beef is prepared in the crock pot instead of on the grill, the “stuffing” technique I used is similar to the process I used on the grill pork. Complete details can be found here: Italian Beef in the Crock Pot
Italian Beef
Equipment
- Crock pot
Ingredients
- 1 6 lb chuck roast
- 3 large onions
- 4 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 2 cups water
- 2 bottles beer any brand
Instructions
- cut slits in the top of the chuck roast
- mix Italian Seasoning & minced garlic in a small bowl
- place Italian Seasoning/minced garlic in the slits
- chop onions
- place roast & onions in crock pot, add the water & 1 of the bottles of beer
- cook on low for 8 hours
- after the meat has cooked for 8 hours, remove from crock pot
- chill the roast over night, the next morning the fat will be ready to be removed from the broth
- After removing the fat, pour the liquid into the crock pot
- the roast can either be sliced or shredded. I sliced the roast for this recipe
- Add the roast and the 2nd bottle of beer to liquid in the crock pot.
- if desired, add extra Italian seasoning
- cook the sliced or shredded meat in the liquid on low for at least 4 hours or until heated through. Serve on hoagie buns.
Notes
Looks like we were very successful in finding the perfect multi-functional outdoor appliance to add to our outdoor addition!
Since purchasing the Big Green Egg, we have (ok Dave has) prepared brats, hamburgers, grilled salmon, steaks, Standing rib roast and salmon patties. I have made pizza several times and Dave even cooked a frozen pizza one thyme when I was away. We are really happy with our purchase!
If you would like to learn how I cooked pizza on the Big Green Egg, you can read about it here: How to Cook Pizza on The Big Green Egg
Speaking of pizza, below is a picture of me when I was in the kitchen at Makin’ Pizza!
As much as I was originally opposed to getting a Big Green Egg, because I thought they were ugly, I am certainly happy that I changed my mind! We love cooking on it and I have decided it is really quite photogenic!
Early Spring Rustic Inspired Dough Bowl Centerpiece
Let’s Show Our Love for Our Country
I’ve always wondered about those big green eggs. Your outdoor space will look amazing – can’t wait to see it finished.
I honestly would never have comsidered the Egg if the salesman wouldnt have mentioned it! There is a learning curve but we havent ruined anything yet! The Acacia table is just the perfect stand for it!
The space just adds so much Wow factor! We kept it simple. We didnt get firebowls or a waterfall. Yet it is just beautiful!
I don’t normally stand with my arms down at my side & I am not intoxicated! The pork roast did turn out great!