Does the Mini Max low & slow??

Big_Green_Craig

I have an XL and a Medium Egg and know what to expect on charcoal consumption throughout a low and slow cook. I wanted to test the Mini Max. 

Does the Mini Max low & slow? I say yes! 

I filled my fire bowl with some Carbon Del Sur charcoal. (First bag and I wanted to test it. I used zero smoking wood bc this was a charcoal test) I rolled a rack of St Louis cut spares and was surprised with the room still left. The Mini Max smoked an entire 6 hours at 250 and I had half of the lump left afterwards. I was really concerned about having to refill the coal on the MM due to it's shallow fire bowl, but it seems like it's a non-existent issue. 

Very happy with the Mini Max so far!!

DMW

Thanks for the report. I've been wondering this. The longest I have gone on my Small is 16 hours. I assumed the MM couldn't go quite as long, but 6 hours with only using 1/2 a load is impressive.

It would still be a pain for a large-ish butt that needs more than 12 hours, but would be doable to add more lump at some point in the cook.

tcracing

Looks great. I can't wait to get my MM when I get my tax return.

Jeremiah

Agreed. Thanks for the report. :-bd

tcracing

What kind of controller is that?

Big_Green_Craig

DMW said:

Thanks for the report. I've been wondering this. The longest I have gone on my Small is 16 hours. I assumed the MM couldn't go quite as long, but 6 hours with only using 1/2 a load is impressive.

It would still be a pain for a large-ish butt that needs more than 12 hours, but would be doable to add more lump at some point in the cook.

I was really impressed. The fire bowl is a whopping 2-1/2 (ish) deep. 

Big_Green_Craig

tcracing said:

What kind of controller is that?

That's the Flame Boss 100. 

tcracing

Is it as good as the DigiQ?

Big_Green_Craig

tcracing said:

Is it as good as the DigiQ?

I've never cooked with a Guru so I can't compare.

dldawes1

@ BIG GREEN CRAIG....Good looking setup....and good looking ribs !!!!

I also want to get a MM or small....haven't made up my mind yet. 

Thanks for posting,

Donnie

Griffin

Very nice. How you liking the new FB100? I wanted to use it on some ribs this weekend, but just didn't have the time. Have you used their older model to compare it to?

Mickey

Thank you for the post. Being told next week to Central Texas

NDG

nice post - love the solid/compact look of the mini max.  Looks sturdy enough to hold its own at a rowday tailgate with footballs flying around . . perfect.

walrusegger

I have used the Flame Boss in competition as well as Gurus...both perform extremely well.  

Big_Green_Craig

Griffin said:

Very nice. How you liking the new FB100? I wanted to use it on some ribs this weekend, but just didn't have the time. Have you used their older model to compare it to?

I really like it so far. I have used it 3 times now and wanted to get a good feel with it before posting any type of formal review, but so far so good. I like the fact that all of the temps/info is on the main screen; i.e. pit temp, food temp, timer, etc.  Unfortunately, this is my first blower and cannot compare it to anything else. 

JRWhitee

You never forget your first Blower....

KiterTodd

Big_Green_Craig said:

I was really impressed. The fire bowl is a whopping 2-1/2 (ish) deep. 

2.5" deep?  If so...I can't believe you got so long out of it.

Be curious to see how you like the MM.   Also nice that your blower seems to adapt easily to different eggs.

Big_Green_Craig

KiterTodd said:

Big_Green_Craig said:

I was really impressed. The fire bowl is a whopping 2-1/2 (ish) deep. 

2.5" deep?  If so...I can't believe you got so long out of it.

Be curious to see how you like the MM.   Also nice that your blower seems to adapt easily to different eggs.


Terrible picture, but the tape is flat on the fire grate

KiterTodd

Big_Green_Craig said:

Terrible picture, but the tape is flat on the fire grate

Damn!  That is shallow.  Just a hair over 2"

I guess they made it work, though, based on your results.

Lowflyer

@Big_Green_Craig‌ how did you like that lump? I've got an unopened bag, waiting to use up the RO?

Big_Green_Craig

Lowflyer said:

@Big_Green_Craig‌ how did you like that lump? I've got an unopened bag, waiting to use up the RO?

I probably have 15 bags of RO in waiting, but I wanted to give it a try. Every piece is nice size and it burns super clean. I might buy another bag! 

Lit

@lowflyer the carbon del Sur was fine when I used it for a low and slow but I did burgers tonight and it pops really bad. I cooked a Costco mac and cheese prior to the burgers with the plate setter in and it popped so much there was ash on the mac and cheese. Also I have never ever before seen sparks make it out the bottom vent and I saw multiple tonight. I won't be getting any more.

Big_Green_Craig

Lit said:

@lowflyer the carbon del Sur was fine when I used it for a low and slow but I did burgers tonight and it pops really bad. I cooked a Costco mac and cheese prior to the burgers with the plate setter in and it popped so much there was ash on the mac and cheese. Also I have never ever before seen sparks make it out the bottom vent and I saw multiple tonight. I won't be getting any more.

I seared some filets last night at 600F and did not experience the sparks. Gary and Jason from Roswell Hardware mentioned that the manuf has gone through several updates to their process. Is it possible that you had an older bag? 

JRWhitee

I once had 2 bags of RO that sparked so bad I could not finish them, I think you can get a bad lot sometimes but that doesn't mean they will all pop like that.

Lit

@Big_Green_Craig‌ I just got it like 2 weeks ago. I have never seen anything like the way this was popping. It wasn't just sparks there were loud cracking sounds with noticable sized chunks flying around.

fsumble

Big_Green_Craig,

Thanks for your photo of the front of the MM.  I want to buy a small unit that is portable so I can take it camping.  I looked at the Joe Jr, but have waited to buy until the MM comes to my dealer.  based on your photo, if portability is important to me, then the MM will be worth the extra $$.  The joe Jr sits so high in its stand that I think it would need to be removed from it to haul in the back of the van without fear of it falling over an breaking.  The MM sits low in it's carrier, and the base looks wider. It also looks like it is cradled much more secure than the Joe Jr.

Some have said that the plate setter is too close to the grille for low and slow.  Do you think that it is?  My dealer still does not have them, but he says he will have them by black Friday.

NPHuskerFL

Lit said:

@Big_Green_Craig‌ I just got it like 2 weeks ago. I have never seen anything like the way this was popping. It wasn't just sparks there were loud cracking sounds with noticable sized chunks flying around.

What trickery is this :-?
What brand lump? That's crazy.

Lit

It was the Carbon Del Sur. I used it before and noticed some sparking lighting it but thats normal but I never took it really hot. When I took it hot yesterday it was crazy. I may have just got a bad bag or maybe it picked up some humidity being open for 2 weeks but it was in the garage. It was nice and dense and burne slow and from what I hear they have the large bags at restaurant depot for like $8 so I really wanted it to be good. I still have 5 plus pounds so I will atleast finish the bag.

Big_Green_Craig

fsumble said:

Some have said that the plate setter is too close to the grille for low and slow.  Do you think that it is?  My dealer still does not have them, but he says he will have them by black Friday.

I smoked a whole rack of spares on Sunday with no problem. 

NPHuskerFL

Interesting @Lit‌
Maybe a lump thing VS Max thing. I'll be testing it out soon enough. B-)

plumbfir01

6hrs only half used lump? hmmmmmmm usually i have very very little to spare in the KJ but setup is different and also BigGayCraig BigGreenCraig may be just a wizard.....good job and nice write up.... I wish i could get more out of the kj jr....