What can a mini or small accomodate?

Unknown

(I tried to post this earlier, but I do not think it posted?)[p]Assuming I could afford 300 for either the small or mini, what should I get?[p]I cook for my wife and I, but I am very amatuer. I can so far do only burgers on a crappy 30 dollar weber. That being said, I saw a 12 pound brisket on sale this weekend for 12 dollars. Could the small accomodate that size, or would I have to cut it in half? I have never seen these in real life, and when I read the specs in inches I have a hard time imagining the size. I suppose if I got the small, and outgrew it, I could always get another small later and have about the same size as the large combined (assuming I got into it and cooked for more than the wife and I)[p]Going from a 30 dollar grill I have a hard time convincing the wife to allow me 600 bucks on the large. What do you think?[p]Can I get away will a small and cook reasonably sized meats? What about the mini?

Smokin' Todd

kevin,
I can tell you this...$300 is not enough for a small. Even after arguing to BGE Rep. Jim Nuffer every single year at the Waldorf, MD Eggfests Mid $300 is what it costs WITHOUT the stand.
A mini is ideal for one person, unless you have the time to do many cooks to accomadate for more people.
If you want a 13 inch cooking space egg(i.e.small egg), look to spend over $400 if you want it with some accessories. And if your not near a dealer look to spend more on shipping.
Your best bet is to go LARGE. Best value for the money.
And if your near atlanta or Waldorf, MD or any other place where they have Eggfests that is definatley the time to purchase a large....many accessories, only used once at the fest, all for in the high $500...the best value u can get.
Good luck in your descision...you will find there isnt any other way to grill then ceramics!
ST

Unknown

Smokin' Todd,
Sounds great! In Houston we have 6 places that sell it. I got the guesstimates of pricing from this URL, http://www.stoveworksnj.com/greenegg/bgeprices.html
they have the small for 289.00 I did figure on having to but about 100 in accesories. What about the sizes of meat it can accomaodate? Say a full brisket or a whole smoked turkey?

Smokin' Todd

kevin,
Turkeys and briskets may be too large of cuts to do on the small. Remember you only have 13 inches of space. Even a full slab of pork spares have to be shoved in there, but possible. It does, however, hold enough lump for long burns so you are able to to alot of low and slow...just not too much larger cuts.
Small is ideal for steaks, burgers, and other cuts as such. It is definatley the "steak machine"...can get that baby to high temps and make the best steaks you can get anywhere.
ST

The Naked Whiz

kevin,
Definitely go for the small if you are choosing between a small and a mini. The small can cook low and slow as well has hot for pizza and steaks. Low and slow in the mini is a challenge, I've heard. Put a shout out to Old Dave and he can give you some great advice on cooking on the small. You can do two pork butts on a small, which is enough to feed 25 people if you have a party, for example.
TNW

egghead2004

kevin,
I have a large and a small. Turkeys and briskets will not fit on the small, unless you are talking a 4 pound brisket.[p]It sounds like you may be just beginning to learn about BBQ, if so you have come to the right place. I would buy the small, there is a lot of great food you can cook on there. Steaks, fish, chickens (whole or parts), pork loins and tenderloins, ribs, pizza, pulled pork, vegetables, and yes, hamburgers. [p]Hang around here and pick up some great tips and ideas. Soon you'll be cooking some amazing food for your wife, and at some point she may tell you to go get the large one.[p]an example of learning...I was reading some posts last week about cooking an onion with a boulion cube and a pad of butter. Well last night at 8:30, I wanted to try it so I fired up the small. Wrapped the onon in some foil and cooked it for an hour at 350. What a treat! Before I came here, I never heard of a Trex steak, now that's the only way I'll cook them. [p]Tonight I'll be cooking some Alaskan salmon on the small, maybe I'll drizzle some maple syrup/butter mix over it, I learned that here too. And for a side dish, I'm going to split an acorn squash in half with some butter, salt, and pepper...fishlessman wrote about that last week. [p]Go ahead, buy the small, read some posts in the forum, and begin to cook some of the best food ever!!

fishlessman

egghead2004,
make sure to add some maple syrup to that squash and some brown sugar wouldnt hurt either. almost a dessert

egghead2004

fishlessman,
you bet. I think I'll just cook the salmon with lemon, salt, and pepper. I don't want to have syrup and butter on everything.

Unknown

Smokin' Todd,
I just saw the large and I think I have to have it![p]I just paid 85 dollars to send BBQ for 10 people to a client. This thing will save me a ton!