Mini Egg???

Mayberry

I've had a large for about 6 years and have considered multiple times buying a mini. I've run across a used one, almost new, for $200. We have a camper/ travel trailer that we use quite often and it seems like it would be a really good camping and tailgate Grill. Also could be used for searing and small meals around the house.  However, my wife and I have three Growing Kids, so small meals are getting much larger lately.  I've almost bought a minimax and a small, but ended up not liking the weight of them for transporting.  For those who have a mini, how well do you like it? Also, is $200 a good price for a relatively new, used one?

DoubleEgger

Look into the Akron Jr. Sounds like it will fit your needs. 

Photo Egg

Really sounds like the Mini is to small for your needs.

RRP

Obviously "used" means no warranty for replacement parts but those of us who love the old Mini - then we know it is "grilling machine" and light weight by comparison! OTOH of my 4 eggs my Small is my workhorse. Granted a M/M is nothing but a Small with a shortened base and higher price, but you are in a better position to assess your future needs and bank account balance!

Mattman3969

I really enjoy my mini!!   We take it when we go to the beach and the mountains.  There's just 2 of us but I've cooked for 6 on it before.  You just have to be creative.  During the week it's my most used egg.  

Cyclops42

I have a large and a mini. I would recommend the pairing for the portability by itself but it has many different benefits than just that. Have taken it camping, to the beach, tailgating, friends houses..... BUT I primarily cook for wife and myself. It's great for searing. 

Carolina Q

DoubleEgger said:

Look into the Akron Jr. Sounds like it will fit your needs. 

^^^This!!!

Actually, it's the Akorn Jr from CharGriller. I bought mine a week ago (Walmart) and love it!

Carolina Q

Just cooked this on it today. 6+ lbs Mojo pork. Delicious!

cookingdude555

I have the small and mini (and medium). I don't recommend either of them for a growing family. The medium is often forgotten, and it's the best size to use when I cook for my family of five. When they were young it was the small but now that's just used when it's hot dogs or less than a full meal. I have the mini with the carrier, that doesn't make it portable at 40 lbs (I added a second fire ring for a raised grid). 


My som and I made burgers on it yesterday, it held three, overlapping each other in the middle even. Many will show you the amazing things they have done and tell of how it fed armies. I applaud them. I like feeding everyone at the same time. 

@Carolina Q's suggestion of the Akron jr is a good one if you want to go portable. I use Webers for portability.

now that I have been negative, let me say I love the mini. When I cooked burgers yesterday it was ready from torching it at the start to cooking in like 8 minutes running at 450. The thing is awesome. 

SoCalTim

I love my Mini, i say YES! I also made a modified adapter plate for my Party Q ..

DMW

There's a dealer near me that has a new with warranty Mini for $225, no nest or carrier. I keep telling myself it's too small and I don't need it. So far, so good.

SoCalTim

@DMW I never had any desire to get a Mini, but one day I was on CL and saw a new unregistered one WITH receipt for $225 .. i had no choice but to buy it. No regrets. 

odie91

Fella near me had a brand new mini, no warranty, for sale $125.  That's about right.  $200 with no warranty is a rip off.

@carolinaq, what did you do for the indirect setup on the akorn?

@socaltim, what did you have to do to mod the adapter?

Mayberry

I think you all have talked me out of it.....again.    I already have a Weber Go Anywhere ( https://www.amazon.com/Weber-121020-Go-Anywhere-Charcoal-Grill/dp/B00004RALJ), and it works like a champ.  I think I just want a fancy grill for the road.  I will give that Akorn a serious look.  

SoCalTim

@Odie91 I used an adapter that fits a small egg and cut and grinded the top and right side til I was able to wedge it in securely.

SGH

DMW said:
 I keep telling myself it's too small and I don't need it. 

DMW

SGH said:

DMW said:
 I keep telling myself it's too small and I don't need it. 

Dangit Scottie, my wallet might lose some weight. Logic bedamned.

caliking

DMW said:

There's a dealer near me that has a new with warranty Mini for $225, no nest or carrier. I keep telling myself it's too small and I don't need it. So far, so good.

Quit taking the stupid pills for a day, and go pick it up. That's a GREAT price for a new mini. 

Mickey

The Mini will be just fine. See nothing wrong with the price. 

SaintJohnsEgger

We have this on CL in my area - https://jacksonville.craigslist.org/hsh/6148734732.html

It looks lightly used but the price isn't bad if someone is interested.

FearlessTheEggNoob

Bet you're goona be pissed once you see someone smoking a 9lb pork butt on an Akorn Jr while you're struggling to fit 3 measly hamburgers on that mini.

Being able to low and slow a significant amount of protein while you're camped out somewhere is a must in my book. But I like to tailgate with my RV, maybe you don't.

Also the Minimax and Joe Jr are too heavy and fragile for traveling and wrestling in and out of a basement storage compartment IMO. Been there, done that.

thetrim

I love(d) my mini, but since i bought the MiniMax, Mr. Mini isn't getting much attention!

Florida Grillin Girl

The mini is a cooking machine. I take it to my son's school and cook for him and his roommates and their friends ...college kids! No one can ever tell me that the mini can't cook enough food to feed a crowd. I've been doing it for years! It cooks for 4 hours at 400 degree dome on just a handful of lump. Just do it, you can't go wrong for $200.

This is a thread I posted about the last time I cooked for the kids.
http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1205043/more-college-cookin

SGH

@Mayberry
The mini seems to fall into either a love/hate category for most folks, with little to no middle ground. And to a degree, I can understand that. As a mini lover, let me share some of the pros and cons of the mighty mini. 
First, a few of the cons. Limited capacity. However this should be a no brainer. If you know up front that you need more capacity, then but something bigger. For folks like myself that have numerous smokers and grills, the minis limited capacity is of little or no concern. I use it for things that it can easily handle. Thus, problem solved. 
Second, some say that it is expensive for its size. My retort is; aren't they all? And when you factor in the fact that the vast majority on the forum has unlimited money, then I say; what's the problem? Just write the check my friend. No need to ponder. 
Third, and this one I have never had an issue with myself, holding low temps. The ability to hold low temps on the mini is just as simple as holding low temps on any other BGE. Not to long ago, I posted a low and slow 12 hour chicken cook that I did at 200 degrees for the duration. The mini never bobbled or rose in temp. It just takes a little practice and proper fire management to hold low temps. 
On that same note, if you ever let the temp get away from you, it is a mother flipper to settle the mini back down without some type of forced cooling. 
Now for a few of the pros. First, the mini is a "grilling" machine. As a grill (not a smoker) my mini will blow the doors off of my large BGE. I prefer to grill on my mini by miles versus my large. The little fellow is just a grilling machine. Again, it's only draw back as a grill (just like as a smoker) is it's limited capacity. But to reiterate, if I need more capacity, I use a larger grill. 
Second, the mini is a fuel mizer. Not that this is a concern to the vulgar rich, but to some it is. 
In summary, in no way am I trying to sway you to buy a mini. Just pointing out some of its pros and cons. With that said, personally I love the little mini. And as long as money holds, I will always have one. 

cookingdude555

Well said @SGH

SGH

cookingdude555 said:

Well said @SGH

cookingdude555

SGH

cookingdude555 said:

That's awesome brother!!

noarmysargent

I am a camper. We have both, a mini and Minimax.  The mini is perfect for 2 people. We are empty nesters. If the kids and grandkids are coming, it's kind of tight.  The mini is in a cooler so it makes more convenient.

Jai-Bo

Growing family?  Wasting $ on a mini, even ifin you go camping.  I have a large and a mini-max.  I use the mini max fer tailgating, and camping.  Usually only cooking fer 3 when using the mini and it works great...  Pretty soon me and the ole lady will be empty nesters and I will be giving my large to my daughter fer her housewarming gift then buying another large....

SGH

And after all I said above, I forgot to say that the mini simply kicks a$$.