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What size Big Green Egg should you buy?

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In short

For most families of four to six, the Large Egg, with a grid of about 46 cm, is the right size: it fits a whole chicken, a pork shoulder or a 30 cm pizza and is what most recipes assume. Choose a Medium or MiniMax for couples or small spaces, and an XLarge or 2XL if you regularly cook for ten or more. Bigger Eggs use more charcoal and take longer to heat.

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Close-up of assorted meats and zucchini grilling outdoors in daylight
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Big Green Egg offers more sizes than any other kamado brand, which is good for choice but confusing in a showroom. The grid diameter tells you most of what you need. This guide lists the sizes with approximate grid diameters and typical capacity, explains how to choose, and covers the practical side: weight, space and charcoal. Figures are approximate and widely published; confirm the current specification with Big Green Egg or a dealer.

Big Green Egg sizes at a glance

Grid diameters are the commonly published figures, rounded. Capacity is a rough guide for mixed barbecue food cooked in one go.

  • 47 cm

    kettle

    1,735 cm² (269 sq in)

    about 16 burgers of 10 cm

  • 57 cm

    kettle

    2,552 cm² (396 sq in)

    about 24 burgers of 10 cm

  • 67 cm

    kettle

    3,526 cm² (546 sq in)

    about 33 burgers of 10 cm

  • 46 cm

    kamado

    1,662 cm² (258 sq in)

    about 15 burgers of 10 cm

Circles drawn to scale. Area is π x radius²; burger counts are rough, with a little space between each.

Common kettle sizes and a 46 cm kamado, with cooking area in cm² and sq in.
SizeGrid diameterTypical capacityGood for
MiniAbout 25 cm (10 in)1 to 2 peoplePicnics, trips, a side cooker
MiniMaxAbout 33 cm (13 in)2 to 4 peopleCouples, small patios, portable use
SmallAbout 33 cm (13 in)2 to 4 peopleSmall gardens
MediumAbout 38 cm (15 in)3 to 6 peopleSmall families
LargeAbout 46 cm (18 in)4 to 8 peopleMost families, the usual choice
XLargeAbout 61 cm (24 in)8 to 12 peopleLarge families, regular entertaining
2XLAbout 74 cm (29 in)12 or moreBig gatherings, very large cooks
Big Green Egg sizes (approximate)

Why the Large is the reference

The Large is the most popular size and the one most accessories and recipes are designed around. Its grid fits a whole turkey crown, a brisket flat, two racks of ribs on a rack or a large pizza. With a ConvEGGtor deflector it handles long, low cooks, and it reaches pizza temperatures without much fuel.

For comparison, a 57 cm kettle has a larger grate than a Large Egg, but the Egg's dome height and heat retention suit tall roasts and long smokes. Our kamado vs kettle comparison explains the trade-offs.

How to choose your size

Size for the number you cook for most weeks, not for the one big party a year. A cooker that is too large wastes charcoal and takes longer to heat; one that is too small means cooking in batches. Think about the food too: a 2XL is overkill for burgers for four, while a Medium will struggle with a whole brisket.

Many keen cooks pair a Large with a MiniMax: the Large for big cooks and the small one for quick weeknight meals or trips away.

  1. 1

    Count how many people you cook for on a typical weekend.

  2. 2

    List the largest items you want to cook, such as a turkey, brisket or 30 cm pizza.

  3. 3

    Pick the smallest size that fits both, using the table above.

  4. 4

    Check the space and base: measure with the lid open and plan for a nest or table.

  5. 5

    Confirm the specification and what is included with a dealer.

Weight, space and stands

Every size above the MiniMax is heavy, and the larger Eggs need two or more people to lift. Plan where it will live before buying, on a level, solid surface, with the nest or table it will sit on. The dealer can tell you the weight and footprint of each size and its stands. Rolling nests from Big Green Egg and third parties make it easier to move on a patio.

The lid is heavy too; spring-assisted hinges make opening easier on many sizes. Leave clearance around and above the cooker as the manual specifies.

Note:Kamados stay hot for hours after cooking. Use them outdoors only, on a stable base with locked wheels, and burp the lid before opening at high temperatures.

Alternatives to consider

If you are unsure about a kamado, a 57 cm kettle such as the Weber Master-Touch GBS Premium E-5775, which lists a char ring and diffuser plate for smoking, covers many of the same jobs at a much lower weight. Compare kettles in best charcoal BBQs for UK gardens and Weber kettle models compared.

If smoking is your main goal, look at bullet and offset smokers in best charcoal smokers. And if you are deciding between kamado brands, read Big Green Egg vs Kamado Joe.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the most popular Big Green Egg size? The Large, with a grid of about 46 cm, which suits most families.

Is the MiniMax big enough for a family? It suits two to four people. For a family of four or more who cook big items, the Large is more practical.

Does a bigger Egg use more charcoal? Yes, it takes more lumpwood to fill and heat, though all Eggs are frugal once hot.

Can I cook a pizza on a Medium Egg? Yes, but the pizza size is limited by the grid and stone; a Large fits a bigger pizza.

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