What's the difference between a Big Easy and a Big Easy SRG

[Merrick Bill]

Can someone tell me the difference between the Big Easy and the Big Easy SRG?  What are the advantages/disadvantages of each?  Of the two, which would you recommend and why?

Bill

[CaptJack]

Bill the original CharBroil TBE - TheBigEasy is an oil-less turkey fryer with a removable wire mesh lid. It runs on one temp - High

the SRG - SmokerRoasterGrill - is a larger version of the TBE with an adjustable temp control, a box for wood chips, a large domed hinged lid, &a grill attachment that sits on top and is an excellent infrared grill.

both the TBE &the SRG run on propane and are convertible to natural gas

and then there is the new BEESR - BigEasy Electric SmokerRoaster

here's all three on CharBroil's website
http://www.charbroil.com/vSeries/1-54-95/The-Big-Easy.aspx

[TMB]

TBE is a good cooker, but if you need a grill then the SRG comes with a grate for grilling and it does a very nice job.

The SRG will cook a 25 lb turkey where TBE will cook a 16 lb bird.   Just to give you a size comparison.   

I had 2 TBE's (16 lb unit and the 25 lb unit not sold anymore) and 2 SRG's but gave  my 16 lb unit to my baby sister.
The SRG's I have are modified and they will smoke, grill and fry with the best of them.   

[Merrick Bill]

Thanks for the info.  TMB, what modifications did you make to the SRG?

Bill

[CaptJack]

Thanks for the info.  TMB, what modifications did you make to the SRG?
Bill

DANGEROUS question !   

[Pam Gould]

Tommy doesn't have time enough to write down all his mods..but they are good mods..specially with his racks..I like them and am gonna do that to mine  Pam ★*˚°。°

[Merrick Bill]

Tommy doesn't have time enough to write down all his mods..but they are good mods..specially with his racks..I like them and am gonna do that to mine  Pam ★*˚°。°

Has he already written about the mods somewhere else.  Maybe even posted some pics?

Bill

[Ron D]

Thanks for the info.  TMB, what modifications did you make to the SRG?

Bill

The better question to ask is what did you leave alone.

[Pam Gould]

Thanks for the info.  TMB, what modifications did you make to the SRG?

Bill

The better question to ask is what did you leave alone.

Your right Ron.  ★*˚°。°

[TMB]

I'll post pictures and describe what was done ASAP.  This may take a little while I have to go way back into the files of this old lap top 

[CaptJack]

Tommy, the 3 big improvements I can think of are your large vent in the top of the SRG lid
the Tommy Ring
and the fitting/vents in the bottom of the SRG drum

[TMB]

Here is the 4 in hole I cut in the top to help control heat

Here are the air nozzles I used to help allow air flow so I could burn the wood pellets longer

Here they are in the bottom of the chamber

Here is the Tommy Ring in action. The Ring raises the basket off the bottom so it gets it out of the dead zone
TBE and SRG both have a small zone on the bottom I call the dead zone, it does not get the same amount of infrared as the upper part of the chamber


All these mods were made so I could smoke butts and ribs for backyard comps where gas is allowed
The new version SRG has a smoker box so the vents are not needed ( when I get the new SRG I'll find out for sure) but I still say the hole in the lid is needed and the Tommy Ring despite what Char-Broil says

[Merrick Bill]

Thanks, TMB.

Bill

[TMB]

Thanks, TMB.

Bill

Does the mods make since now?   Since getting TBE and SRG's I wanted to prove I could produce a product close to a smoker and I believe I proved it could be done.

[Merrick Bill]

Yeah, I get it now.  I've seen You Tube videos of these cookers and was very curious about them.  Now I'm starting to get some answers. 

Bill