Compare Big Green EGG's Large EGGspander to CGS' Large PSWoo

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 CGS PSWoo Ring product page here

Link to Big Green EGG Large EGGspander product page here

Design and Price Points:

CGS's PSWoo was the first to market. The original PSWoo holds a patent. Both PSWoo and EGGspander offer similar purchase options:

PSWoo Expander	$49.99
PSWoo Extender & 16" Sliding D Grid	$89.98
PSWoo Combo  - PSWoo Expander  - PSWoo Extender  - 16" Sliding D Grid * No need for half grids	$139.97

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 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 Large EGG.

There is one major difference. 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 must be removed and set aside.

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 opt 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 required add-on is 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

Eggspander Multi Rack Alternative: At the request of EGGspander owners, we offer a PSWoo Extender and 16" Sliding D Grid that fits the Large EGGspander Basket. The pieces are cheaper and the 16" grid is bigger. It can be found as a Select Option on the Large EGGspander product page. Note: The PSWoo and EGGspander Extenders are not interchangeable: Their build specs are different. 

Grilling atop the Fire Ring:

Both PSWoo and EGGspander can be set-up with a grid at the top of the fire ring. This is the typical grid position for grilling/searing hot & fast.

The PSWoo sits directly on the Large EGG cooking grid - no additional purchase necessary. Set the grid like normal and drop on the PSWoo. 

The EGGspander requires an additional grid purchase, as it can not sit on the Large EGG cooking grid. You will need to purchase the Large EGGspander Half Grids, either separately or with 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 is the Large EGG grid.

With the Expander, you need to purchase a pair of Expander Half Grids. One half grid is down and one half grid is up. You need to purchase three Expander 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 inch. Stone options are CGS' 16" Half-Moon Heat Deflector 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 full or half-moon stones to replace the Big Green EGG ConvEGGtor on low & slow BBQ cooks. We recommend half-moon stones as they provide more options.

With the PSWoo, the CGS Large 3 Leg Spider is required. The Spider holds and elevates the half-moon stones above the fire ring for improved airflow. Another added plus using the Spider is 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, along with our 16" Stainless Drip Pan. 

On the EGGspander. the lower ring holds the half-moon stones right at the top the fire ring. We recommend caution using a pair of EGG's Large Half Moon ConvEGGtors. At 16 inches, they can severely interfere with airflow coming out of the sub 16 inch diameter fire ring. CGS 15" Half-Moon Deflectors and 16" Stainless Drip Pan are a better option.   

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 moving it away from the heat. Keep cast iron down and you will enjoy much better results. 

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

Inverting 2nd Level Grid Down, Near the Lump

The PSWoo's Extender and 16" D Grid cannot be used inside the fire ring. We recommend using our Spider and a heavy-duty 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 user 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