What do you like best about your small,BGE ?

Serial Griller · June 2012

Thinking of getting a small to compliment my lge? it's just the two of us.

Your thoughts

moose28 · June 2012

I would also be interested in the comments. I also have a large. Was thinking mini to travel with. However; lately the small has crept into my thoughts. I am thinking the small would e more versatile and also portable.

Richard Fl · June 2012

My small allows me to get to temp quickly 350-450F, for steaks, poultry direct or indirect, works great with my wok, 12" or 14" like to use my Himalayan salt block 8"x8 "X2" for various cooks. Can do all on the large, or medium but many times am cooking for 2-4 and the small solves the need..

Lowflyer · June 2012

Thinking of getting a small to compliment my lge? it's just the two of us.
Your thoughts

I'm in the same boat. The mini is really neat but I think a small makes more sense. Interested in the responses also.

Hi54putty · June 2012

I just got a small to go with my large and love it so far. I did a 10 pound butt on it last weekend. I used less than half of the coal I would use in my large. I have done a spatchcock chicken with no problem too. Best of all, I can easily pick it up and move it around. I would highly recommend it to compliment the large and almost wish I would have gotten the small first to learn on.

moose28 · June 2012

Hi54 thanks for the info. I'm sure the other thinkers will feel the same. Sounds like the way to go. I cook for four and up to six regular. Up to fifteen once or twice a month. So I think te small is the one.

SkinnyV · June 2012

Just got my mini and if you are cooking for 4 you not be using It much. It works for the wife, me , 3yr old and baby daughter and should be fine for couple years. I really thought of it as a toy/ fun item to use. I think the price difference was less than $100 also between the 2.

R2Egg2Q · June 2012

I think the Small is a great complement to a large (or XL in my case). I like how quickly it gets up to temp and find it to be a very efficient size for cooking a whole chicken or a pork butt.

Here's a post from a few months ago that you may find helpful: http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1137935/small-or-mini/p1

Mighty_Quinn · June 2012

I'm currently on the hunt for a small for camping....

Mickey · June 2012

What do you like best about your small,BGE ?
The fact that I sold it and bought my second Mini.

Only two of us and never used my Small. I used my Mini most and the rest my Large, so got another Mini.

cazzy · June 2012

I highly recommend a small to compliment your large. I use both grills quite a bit and the small travels well too.

I often sear on the small an roast on the large. I've fed 10 people for an entire weekend using the small so it's capable.

Rolling Egg · June 2012

I would say the fact that it gets up to temp fast but its been said already. The other thing I like, is that I can bend down and pick it up and walk across the yard with it to load into my truck. Very little lump usage but still enough space to cook for four people. My favorite size, and i've owned them all.

Four huge bone in breast. Almost 7 pounds worth.

arizonawildcat · June 2012

For those of you who have the Large and Small Egg...any issues with the sliding vent door at the bottom of the small being so tiny? It looks to be the same size as the Mini and I just thought I would ask if anyone has had trouble maintaining temps or getting their small up to temp quickly given the airflow is dependent on the small door.

I am very close to buying a small tomorrow to supplement my large and want to make sure I am doing the right thing! Thanks

Lit · June 2012

The small does have air flow issues especially with the plate setter in. These people saying it gets to temp quick all must have the high que grate because I have owned all sizes except the XL and the small gets to temp the slowest by far. The high que grate is a must for the small. I love my mini but would have to say the small is much more versatile and if I could only have one it would be the small.

Mickey · June 2012

Had a high que in mine before I sold it. Helps a lot for fast

Serial Griller · June 2012

Thanks for the comments.Very helpful!

pasoegg · June 2012

I love my large but i also look forward to buying a small for those nights we cook for 2. Anyone know what the going price is for a small???

R2Egg2Q · June 2012

I have a high que in my Small and it helps but still not as fast or responsive as a Mini but faster than my XL.

Hi54putty · June 2012

I ordered high Que after the first cook on my small. More issues with the tiny charcoal grate than small door.

cookingdude555 · June 2012

The small does have air flow issues especially with the plate setter in. These people saying it gets to temp quick all must have the high que grate because I have owned all sizes except the XL and the small gets to temp the slowest by far. The high que grate is a must for the small. I love my mini but would have to say the small is much more versatile and if I could only have one it would be the small.

I totally agree. Yes, the small gets to temp quick, unless the temp you are after is higher than 350-400, then plan on some waiting. Yes, it can get to 600+, but no where near as fast as my lg, med, or mini (med is fastest, that this is a jet engine).

stike · June 2012

i find that the small can get to rocket temps very quickly. but here's the catch. you have you use it all the time.
i used it all the time when i got it, and it had zero issues getting to temp. after cooking on the large for a while, id go to use the small and found it was taking forever. it was wet. we all know the egg can get sodden under a lot of rain, but even without rain, it can get very damp. and that damp takes a long time to drive out.

in fact, i find that whichever egg i use, it is the 'fast' one. and when i go back to the other, it's slow to temp.

if you don't use the small frequently, you might find it sluggish.

Nature Boy · June 2012

Thinking of getting a small to compliment my lge? it's just the two of us.
Your thoughts

I like my small because it cooks bigger than it looks. It is really a serious mo-sheen. It is easy to throw in the back of the truck and take anywhere. The small bottom vent does result in longer times to get your fire going, but as Stike says, with dry lump and a clean firebox it's not too bad. Plus the ceramics heat up faster on the small. I'm surprised we don't sell even more of them at the store. I'd be upset if I didn't have mine.

Rolling Egg · June 2012

Another thing to consider is method of lighting. Alot of people who report "rocket temps", "rocket fast" , may be using a mapp torch or weed burner to light. If your using starter cubes, don't expect fast temps on any egg, wet or dry. I think a lot of times, that's why we have contradicting reports on light time. I light my small with a mapp every time I use it, and the second I shut my dome , the temp will go to 400. That's lighting with a mapp in three places, and holding it on each place for 20 seconds or so. My dad has a large egg, and all I ever hear my mom say is," he takes forever to cook anything". So for fathers day,I got him a mapp torch. To me, the smaller the egg, the faster it should get to temp. Charcoal closer to therm? Smaller area to heat up? I know air in air out is in control. Just some thoughts. Other will chime in.

scottc454 · June 2012

I have a large and a small and I'm thinking about selling the small and getting a medium. I use the small for quick grilling - hot dogs, burgers, etc.

I'd be willing to bet that a medium would temp up quicker than a small due to better airflow. Also, another thing I don't like about the small is that there can be cold spots on the grill if there are any big chunks of charcoal that aren't completely lit.

It's not bad. It's just not as good as I had hoped.

Hi54putty · June 2012

Good point. I use a heat gun and that probably helps it come to temp quickly.

tjp1060 · June 2012

I built a carrier for my small BGE. Perfect for camping trips. A little unwieldy though...about 80 pounds or so. Two people can carry it though without too much difficulty.

Serial Griller · June 2012

I have a large and a small and I'm thinking about selling the small and getting a medium. I use the small for quick grilling - hot dogs, burgers, etc.

I'd be willing to bet that a medium would temp up quicker than a small due to better airflow. Also, another thing I don't like about the small is that there can be cold spots on the grill if there are any big chunks of charcoal that aren't completely lit.

It's not bad. It's just not as good as I had hoped.
Where are you located and do you want to sell your small?

Cowdogs · June 2012

The SBGE is the smallest egg that can be used for a 12 hour low and slow indirect cook. It also can sear and do small pizzas as good as any BGE.

pasoegg · June 2012

I was thinking of purchasing a small for steaks / burgers/ dogs etc. How well does it perform for these cooks?? Especially searing steaks....

Cowdogs · June 2012

I was thinking of purchasing a small for steaks / burgers/ dogs etc. How well does it perform for these cooks?? Especially searing steaks....

I think it does great. I fill the lump up to 1-2 inches below the grid, and let the coals get white hot, and it is a steak searing machine.

Sgt93 · June 2012

I have read every Small Vs Mini thread on here and am still stuck. I was quoted $539 for a small and $350 for a mini by my dealer. Of course the plate setter and nest for the Small were not included in price. Love the idea of the mini for taking camping, on fishing trips etc. I know the small would be a bit more useful though. Argggh, decisions decisions.

Howdy, Stranger!

Forums

What do you like best about your small,BGE ?

Comments

Howdy, Stranger!

Quick Links

Forums

What do you like best about your small,BGE ?

Comments