Multiple Grid & Deflector Setups for the 2XL Big Green EGG Multiple Grid & Deflector Setups for the 2XL Big Green EGG

Three Cooking Levels, Multiple Ways to Configure Your 2XL EGG

This guide supports the CGS 2XL Expander, showing which cooking grids, griddles and heat deflectors fit at each level so you can quickly plan your 2XL EGG setup.

If you landed here first, visit our 2XL Expander product page for a complete overview of the system, cooking positions and setup ideas.

Note: This guide applies to the CGS 2XL Expander and not the Big Green Egg 2XL Basket.

How the Three Levels Work Together

The CGS 2XL Expander creates three distinct cooking heights inside the 2XL Big Green EGG, giving you more control over how close food, cooking grids and heat deflectors sit to the charcoal.

• Top Level: Raised cooking near the felt line for gentler direct heat and the primary cooking position for indirect setups
• Middle Level: Versatile position for grids, griddles, heat deflectors and direct or indirect cooking
• Lower Level: Close-to-the-fire cooking for high-heat searing and multi-level direct/indirect setups

Top Level — Raised / Felt Line

The top level positions the cooking grid near the felt line, moving food farther from the charcoal for raised direct cooking and providing the primary cooking surface for indirect setups.

2XL EGG Cooking Grid

• EGG SKU: 119681
• Standard cooking grid supplied with the 2XL EGG
• Sits on the Expander's top level near the felt line
• Primary cooking surface for most raised and indirect setups
• Moves food farther from the charcoal for gentler direct heat

Additional cooking surfaces and grid expanders can also be positioned above the 2XL grid for even more cooking capacity.

Middle Level — Top of Fire Ring

The middle level sits near the top of the fire ring and supports several grid, griddle and heat-deflector options. Use it for direct grilling, indirect cooking or building multi-zone setups.

Half-Moon XL EGG Plancha Griddle

• EGG SKU: 122995
• Designed for the XL EGG
• Sits directly on the middle Expander ring
• Great for flat-top style cooking
• Use one for a split cooking surface or two for a full round griddle setup

Full Round XL EGG Cooking Grid

• EGG SKU: 110145
• Standard replacement cooking grid for the XL EGG
• Creates a full 24-inch cooking surface on the middle level

24-inch Half-Moon XL Cooking Grid — CGS

• CGS SKU: 110145-Half
• Exclusive to CGS
• Use one for split-zone cooking or two to create a full round cooking surface
• Important: XL EGGspander half-moon cooking grids do not fit the Expander

2XL EGG Half-Moon Heat Deflectors

• Half-Moon convEGGtor for 2XL
• EGG SKU: 120960
• Use two for a full indirect setup for low-and-slow barbeque
• Use one for a split direct and indirect cooking zone
• Position the deflectors below the top cooking grid to shield food from direct heat

Note: Cooking grids and griddles used at this level sit directly on the Expander's middle ring.

Lower Level — Closer to the Fire

The lower level places the cooking surface closer to the charcoal, making it ideal for high-heat searing, direct grilling and multi-level two-zone setups.

20-inch Round Stainless Cooking Grid — CGS

• CGS 20-inch Round Stainless Grid
• Designed for the CGS 2XL Expander system
• Sits on the lower level closer to the charcoal
• Great for searing steaks and other high-heat direct cooks

Build a Two-Zone Searing Setup

One of the advantages of the 2XL Expander is the ability to combine different cooking surfaces and heights. Depending on your needs and cooking style, you can use two levels and different cooking surfaces to create direct and indirect zones at the same time.

All-Stainless Setup

• CGS 20-inch Round Stainless Grid
• CGS 18-inch Half-Moon Deflector
• EGG 24-inch XL Half-Moon Grid — CGS exclusive

Cast Iron Searing Setup

• 18-inch Large EGG Cast Iron Grid

Plancha Searing Setup

• EGG XL Half-Moon Plancha Griddle
• CGS 18-inch Half-Moon Deflector
• EGG 24-inch XL Half-Moon Grid — CGS exclusive

2XL EGG Half-Moon Deflectors With the 2XL Grid

For a more conventional barbeque setup, use the 2XL EGG half-moon deflectors below the full 2XL cooking grid. Use both deflectors for full indirect cooking or a single half-moon deflector to create direct and indirect zones across the main cooking grid.

Popular 2XL Expander Cooking Setups

Once you understand the three cooking levels, the Expander can be configured for a wide range of direct, indirect and combination cooks.

Quick Setup Guide

• Low & Slow: Two 2XL half-moon deflectors below the 2XL cooking grid
• Two-Zone Cooking: Use one half-moon deflector and combine cooking surfaces or levels as needed
• Searing: Position a cooking grid on the lower level with direct heat underneath
• Raised Direct: Cook on the 2XL grid at the top level without heat deflectors

By combining different cooking heights, grids and half-moon heat deflectors, the 2XL Expander can handle full indirect barbeque, direct grilling, high-heat searing, split-zone cooking and high-capacity cooks without rebuilding the entire fire setup.