The Egghead Effect

There are fan sites devoted to every hobby imaginable. You have theforce.net, for hardcore Star Wars fans, the newly unveiled Pottermore for HP fans still grasping with the ending of Harry in print and on screen, and The Egghead Forum, a place where grilling enthusiasts can gush and share tips about their Big Green Eggs. 

Founded by Ed Fisher in 1974, the Big Green Egg (BGE) was created to be a better version of the traditional barbecue grill. Fisher modeled his Egg after the kamado-style grill, which in Japanese culture is a stove-like vessel made of wood or charcoal that is used for cooking. These stove-like abilities, which allow the Egg to reach 750 degrees Fahrenheit, are what attract thousands nationwide to the BGE.

Since starting his business in Atlanta Fisher and the Big Green Egg have gone on to be one of the largest kamado-style cooker distributors in the world, with the Egg available in 20 countries and sold by more than 2,000 retailers. The Big Green Egg Worldwide Headquarters is located at .

For the thousands of BGE devotees who call themselves Eggheads the grill isn't about global domination, but is an opportunity to cook, entertain and socialize with friends and family.

"The people who have Eggs are amazing people," said Melinda Allen, Captain of the Gwinnett County Sheriff Department. "Having an Egg is like having the ultimate sports car. You can have a conversation with anyone about it."

It was this sense of community that initially attracted Allen to the BGE, who purchased her first Egg before ever tasting food prepared on the grill. Soon after buying her BGE Allen met people at work who also owned the beloved grill and formed friendships.

Like those who drive sports cars, many Eggheads like to have all the bells and whistles for their grills. BGE "Eggcessories" can range from custom place setters and grill grippers to apparel. For Allen it was a customized table for her Egg that was essential. After speaking with friends and fellow Eggheads Allen heard about a man who as a hobby made customized tables for the BGE. 

"I started building tables for Eggs over 9 years ago," said Chris Tredwell. "Since then I've built at least 25 tables for other Eggheads like myself."

Tredwell's tables are constructed much like a kitchen countertop with a cut-out for the BGE to poke through. They have a marble-like finish, which makes it easier to clean off grease and grime. A self-described "concrete guy" Tredwell originally came to love the BGE through a friend who had owned one since the 80's.Like many Eggheads will tell you, Tredwell didn't see what all the fuss was about over a simple grill. That was until he had the opportunity to taste food made on the BGE. 

"Everything just tastes better on the Egg, and you can literally make anything," said Tredwell. "The other night my wife and I baked chocolate chip cookies on it."

As a Christmas gift Tredwell's family bought him his first BGE, today he owns the large, small and mini Eggs. While he uses each for a different purpose cooking at home, tailgating, and for camping respectively, he has also managed to launch a catering business using the grill. Known as the Backyard BBQ Chef, Tredwell makes a variety of summertime favorites like hot dogs and hamburgers for social gatherings, parties and birthdays. 

Tredwell isn't the only Egghead who has found a renewed passion for cooking through the BGE.

"Old friends that I reconnected with through Facebook thought I had become a chef, because all of my pictures were of food I had made on the Egg," said Kim Youngblood, who works as a manager at Suntrust bank. 

Youngblood got his first BGE in 2007 and since that time says 90 percent of his homemade meals are cooked on the Egg. He and his family have explored making appetizers, entrees and desserts he'd never imagined.

"Four years ago I would've never thought that I would be doing charcuterie and making my own bacon and prosciutto," said Youngblood.

While many balk at the price of a BGE (The large and most popular Egg retails for $800), Youngblood and Eggheads at large insist it's worth the investment. No matter what side of the BGE debate you find yourself on, it's clear that this grill has struck a chord with the masses and will be serving up freshly grilled fare for many more decades to come.

For more info on the BGE visit www.biggreenegg.com, for more about Eggheads visit www.eggheadforum.com.