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MiniMax Chicken Thigh advice

Normy
Normy Posts: 26
in EggHead Forum
I surprised my wife last weekend and bought us the MiniMax….she had really wanted one so that we have an egg that we can take on our frequent camping trips.  Love it so far!  I've broken it in with two cooks under 350.

Tonight, I'd like to cook chicken thighs on it.  On my LBGE I always go raised direct at 375-400(thanks to the wonderful advice I read on this forum).  I don't have a Woo, or anything yet that would allow me to go raised direct on the Mini right now.

Do you think cooking direct at that temperature, without a raised grid, would be a mistake and burn the chicken?  Thanks in advance for any opinions/advice that anyone can offer...

Ewing, NJ
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Comments

  • Greeno55
    Greeno55 Posts: 635
    You'll be fine with thighs. Just keep moving them around. Also, many things can help raise the grid. Even something as simple as some rolled up balls of foil in 4 spots around the fire ring. But seriously consider a woo with stone. I never take mine out. Love it!
    LBGE (2012), MiniMax (2014), and too many Eggcessories to list.  - Sudbury, Ontario
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  • MrWilliams
    MrWilliams Posts: 112
    i just got a mini and have cooked chicken thighs direct - i dont have a Woo or anything yet either.  No problem at all.  I do them at about 350.  Good luck!!
    XL BGE & Mini - CT USA
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  • Normy
    Normy Posts: 26
    Maybe I'll try the rolled up balls of foil, but good to know I should be okay either way.

    But thanks for the responses!  Very much appreciate it!
    Ewing, NJ
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  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    Have done both direct and indirect using the WOO on my MM. Both work fine. 
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • SmokeyPitt
    SmokeyPitt Posts: 10,490
    I think either way would work fine as well.  How difficult would it be to pull the plate setter?  You could always start out indirect and then finish up direct to crisp the skin.  That's my plan with some semi-frozen wings on the small this evening.  

    Which came first the chicken or the egg?  I egged the chicken and then I ate his leg. 

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  • Normy
    Normy Posts: 26
    I've decided on this plan:  the thighs are in a butter bath in a foil pan.  I put them in my masterbuilt electric smoker(i know its sacrilege…it's friday night, i'm a little buzzed already, and thought it would be fun to mess around) at 225 with apple chips, while the Minimax heats up to 375-400.  After 30 minutes, I'm removing the thighs from the butter bath and moving them to the minimax to finish the job…I'll add sauce for the last 15 minutes of the cook.

    Before putting the thighs in the butter bath, I pulled back the skin and lightly coated the meat with bbq sauce, a sprinkle of rub, a layer of proscuitto….i added a layer of pepper jack cheese to 2 of the thighs just to do a taste comparison.  I put the skin back on and then added a thin layer of rub on the skin.

    We'll see what happens!!!
    Ewing, NJ
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  • Normy
    Normy Posts: 26
    not apple chips…i used pecan chips.  like i said, i've been drinking.
    Ewing, NJ
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  • SmokeyPitt
    SmokeyPitt Posts: 10,490
    That sounds like a plan to me @Normy.  Might as well play with a couple of toys if you have them.  

    Which came first the chicken or the egg?  I egged the chicken and then I ate his leg. 

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  • MrWilliams
    MrWilliams Posts: 112
    @Normy - how did it go?
    XL BGE & Mini - CT USA
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  • Normy
    Normy Posts: 26
    It went well, Mr Williams!  Thanks for asking.  I'm terrible about taking pics...I need to be better about that.  I used the Yardbird Plowboys rub, and I loved it!  Also really liked the prosciutto and cheese added under the skin.  Didn't quite get the bite-through skin I was hoping for, but oh well.

    i'll definitely make it again.  Thanks!
    Ewing, NJ
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