I haven't been able to find any real reviews of the BGE custom cooking islands (standard and compact), so now that I have both, I thought I would post my thoughts in case that might help others. Here are my early thoughts (after only a couple weeks having them):
Pros:
Appearance - my wife strongly preferred the BGE tables to the Challenger tables, primarily due to the unique shape and design. Seemed a bit more organic versus all 90 degree angles, etc.
Both units seems very well-built and water tight.
Lots of available work surface around the eggs.
Storage in the standard custom island is outstanding. I can fit 3 bags of charcoal on the left side and another one on the right side if needed, plus all of my Eggcessories with plenty of room to spare. Beneath the egg, there is a sliding drawer where I keep my placesetter and pizza stone, and then is room below that for whatever (tools, starters, etc.). The right cabinet has a paper towel holder, which is really nice, and the left cabinet has hooks for tools.
Covers - it's nice to be able to buy stock covers for each island, Even though the cabinets are both water tight, I ilke having the extra coverage and protection of the covers.
Cons:
Compact island - there just isn't much storage. I couldn't fit a bag of charcoal on the right right side, so I'm sure it would be the same on the left side if I tried to remove the shelf. The storage underneath is fine for place setter, etc., but if this were my only cooking table, I would be disappointed.
Height - I am very tall, so for the standard custom island, it worked out great, but for most people, the height of the egg would be too tall. I have an XL in that table, and even for me, it is at max height. For someone below 6' tall, I am not sure what you would do. The height of the egg in the compact island seems OK, and the size of the storage area below the egg in the compact island is lower than in the standard island, so I imagine that is the reason for the difference. Not sure why BGE made the heights different.
Standard island - if you get it for the XL, you lose the handy tool storage and hook for the cooking grid, which is disappointing. Not a big deal, but it is a nice feature if you get the island for the large egg.
At the end of the day, if you are looking for a table, I would definitely recommend the standard cooking island (if you are tall) but not really the compact island. I think the compact island is great for a second egg, but I don't think it would be sufficient for your primary egg. I will update this if my thinking changes are more use...
Pros:
Appearance - my wife strongly preferred the BGE tables to the Challenger tables, primarily due to the unique shape and design. Seemed a bit more organic versus all 90 degree angles, etc.
Both units seems very well-built and water tight.
Lots of available work surface around the eggs.
Storage in the standard custom island is outstanding. I can fit 3 bags of charcoal on the left side and another one on the right side if needed, plus all of my Eggcessories with plenty of room to spare. Beneath the egg, there is a sliding drawer where I keep my placesetter and pizza stone, and then is room below that for whatever (tools, starters, etc.). The right cabinet has a paper towel holder, which is really nice, and the left cabinet has hooks for tools.
Covers - it's nice to be able to buy stock covers for each island, Even though the cabinets are both water tight, I ilke having the extra coverage and protection of the covers.
Cons:
Compact island - there just isn't much storage. I couldn't fit a bag of charcoal on the right right side, so I'm sure it would be the same on the left side if I tried to remove the shelf. The storage underneath is fine for place setter, etc., but if this were my only cooking table, I would be disappointed.
Height - I am very tall, so for the standard custom island, it worked out great, but for most people, the height of the egg would be too tall. I have an XL in that table, and even for me, it is at max height. For someone below 6' tall, I am not sure what you would do. The height of the egg in the compact island seems OK, and the size of the storage area below the egg in the compact island is lower than in the standard island, so I imagine that is the reason for the difference. Not sure why BGE made the heights different.
Standard island - if you get it for the XL, you lose the handy tool storage and hook for the cooking grid, which is disappointing. Not a big deal, but it is a nice feature if you get the island for the large egg.
At the end of the day, if you are looking for a table, I would definitely recommend the standard cooking island (if you are tall) but not really the compact island. I think the compact island is great for a second egg, but I don't think it would be sufficient for your primary egg. I will update this if my thinking changes are more use...