Safety tips

Do not light the Big Green Egg indoors or in a space with insufficient ventilation. Although some professionals may use the Big Green Egg in their kitchens, this should always be done in accordance with the building regulations and requires the presence of professional ventilation and a firefighting system.

Cooking on an open fire is not permitted everywhere. If you are on a campsite or having a picnic, you must comply with the local regulations (temporary or otherwise). It is possible that cooking on an open fire is allowed but that special rules apply – for example, in relation to the distance between the cooking appliance and certain objects.

Big Green Egg lights quickly when lit with natural firelighters or a special lighter. Do not use briquettes, lighter fluid or other combustible liquids. This could cause the warranty to lapse and it could also impair the flavour of the products to be cooked.

By keeping the mesh closed, you prevent any sparks escaping from the kamado and avoid the risk – however small – of burning charcoal falling out of the kamado. You only need to slide the mesh open when removing cold ashes.

The ceramic material of the fire box retains heat for a long time. Wait before removing or moving the fire box and/or the charcoal in the fire box until you are sure that both the charcoal and the firebox have cooled down fully.

Without the cast-iron rEGGulator, the temperature in the kamado will rise substantially with no way to control it.

The chimney is not supposed to be used as a window. Never look into it when the kamado is in use or when the charcoal is burning, because the hot air rising from the chimney could cause serious injuries.

Although a Big Green Egg will not become as hot on the outside as a steel barbecue, for example, it will still feel hot when in use or before it has cooled down. Always keeps children, pets and combustible materials away from the kamado.

The grids in the Big Green Egg get hot while the kamado is in use. You should therefore use the specially designed Grid Lifter, for example, to grip and lift hot grids.

Always take hot parts and accessories, such as the heat deflector or the pizza stone, out of the kamado with the utmost care. Always wear heat-resistant gloves and use the correct tools to prevent burns. Stainless steel, cast iron and ceramic can become extremely hot. Place used accessories on a non-combustible surface where they will not be touched accidentally and cause burns.

Never leave a burning kamado with an open lid unattended. When the Big Green Egg is being used, beware of any dry leaves, wooden floors and other combustible materials in the direct vicinity. They could present a fire hazard if they come into contact with sparks or hot charcoal. Also keep a close eye on your surroundings when using the kamado. Fire can be hazardous to people, animals, property and nature.

Once the charcoal in the Big Green Egg is burning, you must first open the lid carefully about 5 centimetres a few times before opening it fully. This allows air to flow into the EGG slowly, preventing a backdraft from occurring. Be very careful when you open a hot EGG with a closed rEGGulator and draft door, as the sudden inflow of air could cause dangerously high flames. If this does happen, close the lid immediately to extinguish the flames, then carefully open the lid a few centimetres several times before opening it fully. We recommend that you always wear heat-resistant gloves and that you ensure that you protect yourself adequately.

By closing the draft door and rEGGulator, the charcoal will go out of its own accord in around 20 minutes. This means that you never have to use water or any other extinguishing agent.