By Katie Hawkins-Gaar
CNN

(CNN) -- The average temperature in Bloomington, Minnesota, in January
was 6.4 degrees Fahrenheit. But that didn't stop Adam Frey from
grilling outdoors and burning through 80 pounds of charcoal during the
month.


Leroy and Judy McMillin of Spring, Texas, own three Big Green Eggs and
built an outdoor kitchen to house them.

1 of 2 Frey received a Big Green Egg -- a ceramic cooker that serves
as a smoker, grill and oven -- for Christmas last year. Since then, he
has devotedly grilled six or seven days a week.

"Extreme cold isn't an issue as long as you dress warm," Frey said. "I
have and will continue to cook out every day if possible."

The oval-shaped grill has amassed a cult-like following since it was
born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1974. Fans of the grill call themselves
Eggheads. Tell us about your grill of choice

Frey began grilling more than 20 years ago but got his first Egg in
2008.

"It changed everything," he said. He now owns two Eggs and calls
himself a "grill junkie."

"When you find yourself waking up, thinking about what you're going to
grill that night, you're pretty addicted," Frey said. iReport.com: See
photos of Frey's grilled meals

With a hefty price tag and weight -- some Eggs cost up to $900 and
weigh more than 200 pounds -- the uninitiated may question whether the
cookers are worth it. Eggheads, though, are quick to spread the
gospel.

Frey, who shared his story on iReport.com as part of CNN's "grill
masters" assignment, wasn't the only one to express devotion to the
ceramic cooker. Other iReporters shared photos, videos and stories
about their egg-centricity.

"I am an Egghead. They should pay me, because I constantly encourage
people to buy one," joked Brad Cates.

Cates, an insurance and financial consultant in Ocean Springs,
Mississippi, raves about the ease of heat control and versatility of
his Egg. Fueled by charcoal, the Big Green Egg can reach up to 750
degrees Fahrenheit to sear a steak within minutes or cook a slow and
low brisket for hours.

"It is better than any other grill or smoker I've had," Cates said.
"I've had numerous gas grills, and there is absolutely no comparison
there."

Cates tends to "cook in spurts," firing up the grill for two or three
days some weeks. Ribs, covered in his secret homemade rub, are his
specialty. "I try to do at least three racks at a time, and they are
gone within minutes," he said.

Thanks to Cates' enthusiasm, co-worker John Lindsey decided to
purchase a Big Green Egg. Now he, too, raves about it.

"The grill is like no other," Lindsey boasted. "I have owned all types
of grills, from the tiny charcoal grill to the giant stainless steel
gas grills. But the BGE is by far my favorite."

Lindsey, 34, grills three or four times a week. His specialty is "pork
in general"; baby back ribs, pork tenderloin and pulled pork are some
of his favorite dishes. He owns an XL Egg, which, according to the
manufacturer, can cook 24 burgers, 12 steaks or 11 whole chickens at a
time. iReport.com: See some XL Egg creations

More than a million Eggs have been sold since the company began,
spokeswoman Donna Myers said.

"Word of mouth literally made the Egg what it is today," Myers said.
She noted that BGE founder Ed Fisher began the company with little
advertising revenue.

"For many years, these devoted Eggheads became the company's primary
sales force," Myers said.

Perhaps the biggest Eggheads in the iReport community are Leroy and
Judy McMillin of Spring, Texas. The couple owns three Eggs and built
an outdoor kitchen to house them.

"I think it's easy to see that we love our Eggs," Leroy McMillin said.

McMillin bought his first Egg, which he calls Lily, in 1999. He has
two smaller versions -- named Shirley and Maggie -- that he purchased
in 2006 and 2007, respectively.

His three ovoid "girls" are housed in their own hand-built outdoor
kitchen called "The Coop," complete with a sink, mini refrigerator,
countless chicken decorations and a red light to indicate when the
grills are in use. McMillin and his wife keep the chicken/egg theme
going by referring to themselves as "Spring Chicken" and "Spring Hen."
iReport.com: Take a video tour of "The Coop"

McMillin, 68, is retired and considers himself one of the elder Egg
enthusiasts.

"There are a few Eggheads older than me and a whole bunch younger than
me," he said. "I envy their enthusiasm and creativity. They seem to
want to take 'Egg'n' to the next level."

The McMillins recently attended a nearby Big Green Egg demonstration
and cookout. Leroy, wearing his "I'm an Egghead" shirt, proselytized
to potential buyers.

"We just wanted to pass on to any prospective Eggheads how enjoyable
cooking on the Egg can be," McMillin explained. In fact, he says, many
friends have purchased their own green grill, thanks to his
encouragement.

The couple is headed to Atlanta in October for the annual
EGGtoberfest, an annual event where more than 1,000 Eggheads converge
to share recipes, meet fellow fanatics and purchase additional Eggs.

McMillin says he enjoys both barbecuing and grilling and uses his
Eggs, on average, six times a week. His wife, Judy, joins in the
action, too.

"We both enjoy the 'Eggsperience' together," McMillin said. "Cooking
hasn't been a chore since we got our first Egg."

Cam wrote:

Thanks for posting this, Cam. Do you have the URL handy?
--
Dave
What is best in life? "To crush your enemies, see them driven before
you, and to hear the lamentation of the women." -- Conan

Dave Bugg wrote:
> Cam wrote:
>
> Thanks for posting this, Cam. Do you have the URL handy?

Dave - I liked the article also, here's the URL

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/07/09/eggheads.irpt/

Bob

Bob Muncie wrote:
> Dave Bugg wrote:
>> Cam wrote:
>>
>> Thanks for posting this, Cam. Do you have the URL handy?
>
> Dave - I liked the article also, here's the URL
>
> http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/07/09/eggheads.irpt/

Thanks, Bob.

--
Dave
What is best in life? "To crush your enemies, see them driven before
you, and to hear the lamentation of the women." -- Conan