Small vs. Mini

TEggSun

I know this has been discussed ad nauseam, however I wanted to run this up the flagpole with those much more knowledgeable than I am.  I will be adding to my LBGE this Spring.  The main reason is to allow me to cook at different temperatures simultaneously for appetizers and sides.  I also would like some portability, however that is clearly secondary.  I generally cook for 2, however I eat enough to count as another two people, so let's honestly call it 4.

My main reservation on the mini is the capacity.  My main reservation on the small is the portability.  Based on my priorities, I'm leaning toward the small.

Thoughts?

Jeremiah

Based on your last paragraph, I'd say small. Because I favor portability though, I'm getting a mini this spring.

DMW

I had similar selection criteria and went with the small. I can pick it up and carry it by myself, so I figured it was portable enough. Happy with what I chose, have been able to do enough protein for an entire meal for my family (me, SWMBO, 11, 9, and 4) during the week. I'm not sure the mini would work for that or not. I also wanted to be able to do a decent size butt for pulled pork and the mini would have been too cramped for my liking.

TEggSun

Thanks, @Jeremiah and @DMW.  It's good to know the small is transportable by one person.  I'm of decidedly average strength, so I'm hoping you aren't a power lifter in your spare time.

Little Steven

Think long and hard about that one. Two (or four) larges is an awesome combination. With that said, both the mini and small can be transported fairly easily. I cook for min 4 every day so mini doesn't see a lot of use. You can do a spatch chicken or a small roast but that's about it for four in one go. Mini makes the best burgers of the lot but you can only fit three.

Texansurf

According the data sheet the SBGE is 80 lbs, not light, but ccan be done.  that would be like picking up an 8 gallon water jug.

TEggSun

Yep.  I think I can handle that.  The variable will be my intake of hopped beverages.

DMW

I figure I'll pull the firebox and fire ring out before transporting anyway so the ceramics don't bang against each other and break. So that decreases the weight. And no, not a power lifter here, I bang keys on a keyboard mostly.

TEggSun

Makes sense, DMW.  A small seems the best of both worlds for my needs.

TEggSun

@Little_Steven  I thought about another large, or even a medium, but I really would like to have some level of portability.

zgordon

I owned both and recently sold the mini. For me, it was just too small. I use my small for about everything and rarely have to crank up the XL

golfandgrill

I have a large and small, but I currently live in an apartment so I bought a small for my deck. I love it. I cook for 2-3 people 3 times a week since August when I bought it. Got the small woo for Xmas and wish I would have gotten that much sooner. If you play a little Tetris you can fit a lot on the small for 4-6 people.

Double Bogey

If you are going to stop at just two eggs I would go with the small.  I think the versatility it provides far exceeds that of the mini.  You can always add the mini later to up your "fun factor" even more.

BOWHUNR

The small is the perfect size to cook just about anything for 2-3 people and it is still small enough to take camping and tailgating.  Of all the eggs in my fleet, the small gets the most active duty.  The mini is just plain fun to cook on, but I find the extra real estate of the small nice when cooking for two or more.

Mike

Mattman3969

+++ on the large/small combo. I bought my small back in August and love it. There are just 2 of us so I can do an entire meal on it if I get ready. I have crammed 5 burgers on it. I will second whoever mention the the woo and stone combo, don't waste your money on the PS. My small sees 90% of our cooks unless it is pizza, low n slow or just to much meat for the small.

wmcguire93

+1 for the Small.  I have a Large and small and I really like the combo.

TEggSun

Wow...thanks, all.  Not only have you confirmed my thoughts, you have given me even more motivation to buy now.  :-)

Perhaps a small now, and a mini in the summer when SWMBO isn't looking.  

Jeremiah

Crap. Now you guys have me leaning to a small.

tcampbell

Get them both you will love both of them.

TEggSun

I think getting them both is the only rational decision.

Lit

I cook my mini raised direct in my small.

tcampbell

Mini is great if only couple steaks,burgers etc.it heats up fast and uses almost 0 lump as everyone else said just limited space.

BOWHUNR

TEggSun said:

Wow...thanks, all.  Not only have you confirmed my thoughts, you have given me even more motivation to buy now.  :-)

Perhaps a small now, and a mini in the summer when SWMBO isn't looking.  

You're most likely going to end up with a whole clutch of them any way so you might as well grab them both!   I was lurking on this forum for a while before I bought my original large and thought the owners of multiples were nuttier than a pet coon.

After that first large I bought a second large and then a small and a mini.  Just this fall I picked up an XL so the medium is the only one missing from the fleet (besides the XXL and that ain't gonna happen), I think?

Mike

RRP

Get the Small!!!! I too normally just cook for the 2 or sometimes 3 of us and my small is the work horse in my stable of 4 eggs! If you want portability then spend less than $30 and buy yourself a Pot Lifter like this. That PL makes a small as handy to carry as a duffel bag for one person to handle, but if you have a second person to help you then it is a breeze!!!

SkinnyV

Mini....it just has that "it" factor
That is all....thanks.

Mickey

I have had a Small and two Minis. I get 4 burgers, a whole spatchcocked chicken and lots more. I sent one to our guys in Afghanistan that was used for 21 MPs. Now have 2 Larges and a Mini. The Mini gets most of the work.

EGG_Daddy

When I bought my large, the store guy picked it up from the nest and man-handled from the store into my truck.  Top and bottom assembled.  What a beast...

otter

We got a small for our Christmas present. Got the stone and riser from Tom. We like it. Now have a large and small . I need to build a box, stand combo, but will look into pot lifter..

Fred19Flintstone

I have both and the mini outperforms any egg. I also have an XL. If you are worried about real estate, go with the small. I haven't seen much love for the 2 Tier Swing Rack for the small from CGW, but I love mine! You can fit a ton of stuff on the small with a 2tsr. It's worth a look.

SWVABeanCounter

I'm getting a small next month for portability and hopefully the Egg Carten will be available soon for a home.  @Fred19Flintstone, thanks for the tip on CGW, will probably get that soon too.

WeberWho

I use my mini more often then I do my small. I would sell my mini before I would sell my small. Mini is just too small if cooking for more than two.