Load with Charcoal
Start by filling the ceramic Fire Box or the Stainless Steel Fire Bowl to the top with Big Green Egg Natural Lump Charcoal.
It's good firecraft to give your firestarter some space to nestle in the charcoals. Once it's in, build a little teepee of charcoal on top and light with one of our long matches or the EGGniter.
Light the Starter
The original way to light the EGG was with Speedilight Charcoal Starters. Nestle 1-2 Charcoal Starters into the Lump Charcoal and light with a long match or the EGGniter.
Once your firestarter is lit, leave it alone. Big Green Egg Lump Charcoal is so good that it'll get going all by itself. In just a few minutes, you'll be ready to cook.
Temperature Control
Once your EGG is going, think of the top and bottom dampers as the gas and brake pedals on your vehicle.
The bottom vent (gas pedal) sucks oxygen in through the draft door and fuels the burning lump charcoal. The rEGGulator (brake pedal) allows the spent oxygen and smoke to escape and make room for more air.
It's much easier than it seems because it really all just comes down to airflow.
For new EGGheads, we came up with the following diagrams to help you reach a few common cooking temperatures.
DOWNLOAD our FREE Guide for reference.
Add your Components
When the ceramics are hot and you are within 10 degrees of glory, it is time. Drop in your ConvEGGtor, your grid, your cast iron.
The temperature will dip. Let it.
The EGG knows what to do. Fine-tune the Draft Door and rEGGulator with a gentle touch. When the fire steadies, so do you.
Now, it is time to cook!
Shut It Down and Save the Fuel.
When the cooking is over, close the rEGGulator and Draft Door tight.
The fire will fade, and your leftover charcoal will be ready for next time. No water. No rush. Let the ashes cool for a full day before you clean up.
Simple. Smart. Just the way it should be.
Re-Lighting the EGG
Before your next cook, you'll find leftover natural lump charcoal still available inside the EGG.
Simply, use the Ash Tool to stir the coals, allowing the ash to fall through the Fire Grate. Then, open the bottom Draft Door and sweep out the ash with the Ash Tool into the Ash Removal Pan.
Top up your EGG with fresh charcoal, and light it up!
Want More Tips & Tricks?
Learn more about the EGG
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Lifetime Warranty
LEARN MORECrafted from premium ceramics in North American, every EGG comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty on its materials and structure.
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What makes the EGG special?
LEARN MOREFrom crispy, brick-oven Pizzas at 600° to melt-in-your-mouth Beef Brisket at 225°, there's nothing your Big Green Egg can't cook.
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Big Green Egg FAQs
LEARN MOREFind clear, expert answers to the 20 most frequently asked Big Green Egg questions covering fuel, sizes, temperature control, cleaning, accessories, and more.
