How To Light Your Big Green Egg & Maintain Its Temperature

Getting the most out of your Big Green Egg starts with mastering the fire. Whether you're a seasoned pitmaster or just diving into kamado-style grilling, understanding how to light your EGG and control the heat is key to delicious results. The Big Green Egg uses 100% natural lump charcoal and a carefully designed airflow system that makes lighting quick, clean, and surprisingly easy—no lighter fluid needed.

The Right Way to Light Your Big Green Egg

The Big Green Egg is built for efficiency. Its ceramic fire box and sealed design hold heat well, so it doesn’t take long to get things going. Start by filling the fire box or Stainless Steel Fire Bowl with Big Green Egg Natural Lump Charcoal. Avoid briquettes or quick-light charcoal—they contain additives that can affect flavor and leave residue on your EGG’s ceramic interior.

Here are three proven methods to light your charcoal the clean and easy way:

1. SpeediLight™ Natural Charcoal Starters

SpeediLight™ starters are compressed blocks of natural wood and paraffin wax that ignite quickly. Just place one or two in the charcoal, open the bottom draft door and top vent, and light them. Once the charcoal is glowing (usually in under 10 minutes), close the lid and adjust the airflow to reach your desired temperature.

2. Electric Charcoal Starter or Electric EGGniter

If you’re near an outlet, plug in the Electric Starter or the Electric EGGniter. The Electric Starter sits directly in the coals to heat them fast, while the EGGniter uses superheated air to light the fire in around seven minutes. Once the coals are burning, unplug and remove the tool, then adjust your dampers as needed.

3. Butane Charcoal EGGniter

No outlet? No problem. The Butane EGGniter uses a torch flame and built-in air blower to quickly ignite charcoal. It’s lightweight, refillable, and a favorite for camping or tailgating with your EGG.

How To Control Temperature in the Big Green Egg

Once lit, temperature control is all about adjusting the airflow. The bottom draft door and the top rEGGulator vent work together to control oxygen, which controls heat.

• Lower the temp: Close the draft door and rEGGulator slightly to restrict airflow.

• Raise the temp: Open the vents wider to feed the fire and increase the heat.

With a little practice, you’ll be able to hold steady temps whether you’re slow-smoking ribs or searing steaks at 700°F.

Tip: Use the draft door for big adjustments and the rEGGulator for fine-tuning.

Upgrade Your Temp Control with a Bluetooth Dome Thermometer

The Bluetooth Dome Thermometer makes it easy to monitor your grill’s temperature from your phone. Set alerts, track cook times, and switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius all within the app.

After the Cook: Shutting Down & Cleaning Up

Once you’re done cooking, simply close both the bottom and top vents to cut off oxygen. This snuffs out the fire and preserves any leftover charcoal for your next cook. Because the EGG retains heat for a long time, wait at least 24 hours before removing ash.

Rekindling and Cleanup

You can reuse leftover charcoal, just spread it out with your Ash Tool and let any ash fall through the grate. Scoop it out with your Ash Removal Pan before adding fresh charcoal.

The Stainless Steel Fire Bowl makes cleanup even easier. Lift it out using the built-in handles, shake out the ash, and your EGG is ready for next time.

Ready to Upgrade Your Setup?

At The Mad Hatter Online Store, we carry everything you need to light, maintain, and master your Big Green Egg. Browse our full selection of EGG Starters, temperature control tools, charcoal, and accessories online. 

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