Comparing key capabilities Ceramic Grill Store's Large PSWoo and Big Green EGG's Large EGGspander

Not sure which to buy for your Large Big Green EGG®, hopefully this helps.

Link to PSWoo Ring product Page here

Link to Large EGGspander product page here

Design and Price Points:

CGS's PSWoo was first to the market and the original PSWoo holds a patent. Both PSWoo and EGGspander can be purchased three ways:

PSWoo Ring	$49.99
PSWoo Extender & 16" Sliding D Grid	$84.98
PSWoo Combo - PSWoo Ring - PSWoo Extender - 16" Sliding D Grid * Combo uses Large's Grid	$134.97

1 Piece EGGspander Basket	$114.95
2 Piece Multi-Level Rack kit - Grid Extender - 13.5" Round Grid	$159.95
5 Piece EGGspander Kit - EGGspander Basket - Multi-Level Rack kit - 2 EGGspander Half Grids	$259.95

All PSWoo and EGGspander pieces use 304 Stainless Steel. The PSWoo's three pieces are made in America. The Big Green EGG EGGspander pieces are imported from China. You may wonder how we can keep the PSWoo pricing very attractive vs. a Chinese import. We minimize cost by fabricating the PSWoo and PSWoo Extender ourselves, in our wire fabrication shop.

So, let's take a look.

Handling the ConvEGGtor:

Both PSWoo and EGGspander hold the convEGGtor and easily lift the ConvEGGtor in/out of the EGG. One major difference is with the PSWoo the ConvEGGtor slides in/out from the side, so there is no interference with the food or grid. With the EGGspander, the convEGGtor goes in/out from the top, so the grid and food need to be removed and set aside.

PSWoo - no grid interference	EGGspander - grid needs to be removed

Raising the Cooking Grid:

Both PSWoo and EGGspander raise the Large EGG cooking grid near the felt line for direct grilling cooks (no convEGGtor). For both, the handles make for easy in and out. An option is using two half grids but not recommended - why purchase/handle two grids when you already own one Large grid that works.

PSWoo - easy raised grid	EGGspander - easy raised grid

Second Level, Additional Grid:

Both PSWoo and EGGspander have second grid capability. Both upper grids slide. The PSWoo upper grid (14"x16" D shape) is bigger than the EGGspander upper grid (13.5" round). Spacing between upper and lower grid on each system is under four inches.

For the PSWoo, the required pieces are called PSWoo Extender and 16" Sliding D Grid. You can option for the Combo which includes PSWoo, Extender and Grid. Or, add the Extender and 16 D Grid later as a pair.

For the EGGspander, the Big Green EGG required pieces are in the 2 Piece EGGspander Multi-Level Rack. The Multi-Level Rack pieces are also included in the EGGspander's 5-piece kit.

PSWoo - 14"x16" upper D shaped grid	Eggspander - 13.5" round grid

Option: At the request of EGGspander owners, we offer a PSWoo second, upper, grid configuration that fits the Large EGGspander Basket. It can be found as a Select Option on the Large EGGspander product page. Note: The PSWoo Extender and EGGspander PSWoo Extender are not interchangeable: They are not the same.

CGS PSWoo Extender and 16" Sliding D Grid atop Large EGGspander

side view of Large Big Green EGG EGGspander with Ceramic Grill Stores second level, PSWoo Extender and 16" Sliding D Grid

top view of Large Big Green EGG EGGspander with Ceramic Grill Store's PSWoo Extender and 16" Sliding D Grid

Grilling at Fire Ring Level:

Both PSWoo and EGGspander can be set-up with a grid at top of the fire ring, typical grid position. You normally use this grid position for searing (reverse sear) and/or with something else grilling above.

The PSWoo sits directly on the Large EGG cooking grid. Basically, set the grid like normal and drop on the PSWoo. No additional purchase needed.

The EGGspander does not use the Large EGG grid as a lower grilling grid. You need to purchase EGGspander half Grids separately or the 5-piece Eggspander kit.

PSWoo - use large EGG grid	EGGspander - requires two half grids

Half Grid Two Tier:

Both PSWoo and Eggspander can be set up with a half grid. It is not practical to have full grids on top and bottom.

With the PSWoo, you need to purchase one half grid (CGS 9x18 Stainless Half Grid) for the top half grid. The bottom grid (like grilling at fire ring level) is the Large EGG (full round) grid. Use whatever section (side or center) of the round grid to grill.

The Expander (like grilling at fire ring level) requires the purchase of half grid(s) or the 5 piece Eggspander kit. One half grid is down and one half grid is up. You need to purchase three half grids if you want the full grid option on the bottom. The Large EGG grid does not fit the bottom of the EGGspander.

Note: CGS 9x18 Stainless Half Grid works on both Large PSWoo and EGGspander.

PSWoo - only requires one-half grid	Eggspander - requires 2 half grids

Half Stones

Both PSWoo and EGGspander can be set-up with half stone(s). We call this a this a half direct and half indirect set up. The recommended Stone size is 16", options are CGS' 16" Half Ceramic Stone or Big Green EGG's Large Half Moon (16") ConvEGGtor.

With the PSWoo, the EGG grid holds the half stone, same as grilling at fire ring level but with the half stone on one side.

The EGGspander Basket's lower ring holds the half Moon Stone, again to one side.

PSWoo - requires 16" half stone & one-half grid	EGGspander - requires half stone & Eggspander grids

Pair Half Stones replace ConvEGGtor

Both PSWoo and EGGspander can use half stones to replace the Big Green EGG ConvEGGtor on low and slow, BBQ cooks.

With the PSWoo, CGS Large 3 Leg Spider is needed. The Spider holds and elevates the half stone above the fire ring for improved airflow. One added plus, if the entire PSWoo/Spider set-up is removed and set aside, the hot stone(s) are elevated above the tabletop. The Spider can hold, 15" or 16" Half stones, 16" preferred and pictured.

The EGGspander Basket's lower ring holds the Large Big Green EGG Half Moon ConvEGGtors. These are Big Green EGG 16" half stones. We recommend caution using two to replace the ConvEGGtor. At 16" and right atop the fire ring, they can severely interfere with airflow coming out of the sub 16" diameter fire ring.

PSWoo - Spider elevates for improved airflow	EGGspander - caution recommended

Cast Iron Grids:

Both PSWoo and EGGspander can handle cast iron grids. With the PSWoo we recommend Big Green EGG's Large, Full Round Cast Iron Grid. For the EGGspander, gotta go Big Green EGG Half Moon Cast Iron Grids, as they fit the bottom of the EGGspander.

Note although pictured, we do not recommend using the cast iron grids atop the PSWoo or EGGspander. Cast iron needs heat to impart the sought-after grill marks. By raising the cast iron up, you are pulling them away from the heat they need. Keep the cast iron down, you will enjoy much better results.

PSWoo - Large EGG full round CI grid	EGGspander - 2 Eggspander CI grids

Inverting 2nd Level Rack Down, Near the Lump

The PSWoo's second level rack cannot be used inside the fire ring. We recommend using our Spider and a heavy grid for searing close to the lump, as both are designed to handle high heat and provide the desired searing.

The EGGspander's Multi-Level Rack can be inverted and used inside the fire ring. We recommend caution in doing so, as comments back to us are the open-ended rack can deform (twist) from the high heat and the desired searing from the grid's thin crosswires is marginal.

CGS Large 3 Leg Spider & 13" EGG Cast Iron Grid	EGGspander - recommend caution Multi Rack down

Wok

Both PSWoo and EGGspander can hold a 16" wok. However, we do not recommend wokking on the PSWoo or EGGspander. Simply, wokking is a hot fast cook with a good amount of action. We have found the PSWoo and EGGspander's upper ring can interfere with handling the wok. Our Spider, inverted up, is a much better, open, wok holding platform.

PSWoo - wokking not recommended	EGGspander - wokking not recommended

Recommended - CGS Large 3 Leg Spider & 16" Wok

16" wok on Large CGS 3 Leg Spider, recommended wok set up in the Large Big Green EGG