Small vs. Mini

disabledBGEWDE

What are the advantages of either? I am wanting one to take on Vacation and to do tailgating with. I cant decide which one is the better investment for my purposes.

RRP

BGEWDE,
Let's stay with that term of "investment" - How mant times per year will you go on vacation and will actually use it on vacation? Also how many times tailgating? Then calculate how many times at home you would use it over your other BGE. If vacation and tailgating add to more times I'd go with the mini due portability, but if home use outweights I'd clearly go with the small and just plan to wrestle the somewhat heavier small. I happen to be very partial to my small.

YB

RRP,
I think he should do like the rest of us Ron and buy both.
Larry

RRP

YB,
LOL me too, but hey I was trying to be analitical as opposed to the old joke about which secretary did you hire?

YB

RRP,
I told my wife eggs are cheaper by the dozen...I don't think she fell for thst one.
Larry

Unknown

You all are messing him up, except that he needs to heed that it is very hard to own only one--pay attention to the words and photos, they grow on you--and that might change your idea of what you want to own:
If you could get two, a Medium or better yet a Large and a mini or small, not a small and a mini. Think about how many you will try to feed and with what. Also, while I can just manage to lug the mini, there is no way I could tote the small without a few months at the gym ( but I am a grey haired female with a sit down job)

QBabe

BGEWDE,[p]My vote is for the small as a vacation model, rather than the mini.[p]Personally I view the mini as more of a fast cook item, more like a hibachi. My opinion is that it's just not as versatle (sp?) as a small is for low and slow, or oven/roasting types of things. Now, maybe that's just because I haven't experimented around as much with it because I have the small, but between that and the smaller grill space (about 9" on the mini, about 13.5" on the small), I just find that the small works way better for our camping needs than the mini and we end up doing 95% of our cooks on it, even though we take both with us every time.[p]Don't get me wrong. I LIKE the mini, and I'm glad I bought it and would DEFINITELY get it again. I just use it more at home than I do on vacation, so feel that the small would do better for that purpose.[p]There was some recent discussion about the small in the threads below (link attached).[p]Just my 2 cents, though...[p]Tonia

[ul][li]More thoughts on how the small can be used...[/ul]

Mark Backer

QBabe,[p]I second q-babe's answer. the small is WAY more versatile. [p]But I am still very happy I bought the mini...

BobinFla

QBabe,[p]Eggsactly. I love my Mini, and I consider it the perfect size for an afternoon picnic or something like that, but for a vacation my "small" has to get the nod (unless you really want to mess up this thread and toss the "medium" into the mix).[p]I have used my mini for a low-and-slow 3# pork butt (just to prove that I could do it) but I had to add more lump twice, and the 12-1/2 hours just wasn't really worth all the time for the about 1-1/2 to 2 pounds of pulled pork. [p]Then there are the rest of us crazy people (like RRP and YB below) that think having one of every size is a must.[p]BOB

YB

BobinFla,
Your post is wrong Bob...I have two mini eggs and one each of the rest...LOL
Crazy Larry

BobinFla

YB,[p]LOL
Ok, "Then there are the rest of us crazy people (like RRP and YB below)that think having *at least* one of every size is a must."[p]Is that more accurate?
BOB

YB

BobinFla,
Thanks Bob...That sounds more like it.
Larry

QBabe

BobinFla,[p]Well, I'm already in that "have to have them all" group![p]Tonia

QBabe

YB,[p]And, we're the opposite. We have 2 "larges" and one of each of the rest, LOL![p]Tonia
:~)

YB

QBabe,
I have still got to go and get a XL....I hope we can make it to Florida Eggfest this year.
Larry

QBabe

YB,[p]You know, Larry and I were just saying we'd LOVE to see you there! Email me and let me know if there's anything we can do to make it happen![p]Tonia
:~)

Unknown

QBabe,[p]I've been thinking about buying a small, I already have a large. My question to the experts is can a small be brought up to 750+ temperature. I'm tired of burning out the felt on my large for the excellent steaks I get. Don't get me wrong, replacing the felt is a small price to pay for amazing food but, if the small can do it I can save myself the trouble of cleaning off the glue once a year on a "larger" surface.[p]OK, I really want another Egg and am looking for justification. Comments appreciated.

QBabe

FrozenNorthernEgg,[p]We do "wrap the needle" on our small, but remember, with the steaks closer to the grid, you don't have to necessarily reach 750° to achieve the same good sear and flavor. At least, that's my opinion...[p]Do it! You won't regret it![p]Tonia
:~)

Unknown

QBabe,[p]Your logic and reasoning are impeccable and irrefutable! I’m going to order the small tomorrow LOL. Really, I was thinking I didn't need the super high temp if closer to the coals. Thanks for the help!