Mini vs. Mini Max

TN2TX

Someone has offered to sell me their Mini for $300. It's brand new so I am considering even though the warranty will be void. Seems like a good deal but I really had my eye on a Mini Max before this deal came along. Does anyone own both or experience using both? I would like to hear some reviews or thoughts on the Mini. 

WeberWho

I have the mini and it's ok. Too expensive in my opinion for what you get. I use my $25 Weber Joe 9 times out of 10 between the mini for tailgating. The Mini Max you get a bigger grid and becomes more practical for cooks. I haven't used the mini max but I have a couple small eggs.  I dig the smalls

stemc33

$300. Seems like a lot for no warranty. If you've been wanting the MM, I'd wait. 

stemc33

Either way it's a would of, could of, should of, ordeal. Flip a coin. 

SGH

I will be the odd ball here. I honestly really like the little mini. It does a outstanding job and is a fuel mizer to say the least. The mini is small and capacity is limited but it fills a particular need and fills it well. If you are cooking real large items or big quantities at a time, then you maybe served better with a larger egg. My advice would be to determine your capacity needs and chose your egg size accordingly. However if you already have a egg, the mini is a great addition. Especially for searing. I now do almost all of my searing on the mini. It does a excellent job for this. There is no one perfect size. This is true of all smokers, not just kamados. Price is debatable on any of them. It comes down to is the price justifiable to you. For the record, I have spent thousands of dollars on smokers and grills. I don't regret buying a single one of them. Cooking is what I enjoy in life. Here is the little mini with a clod steak cut on the bias. To say that I like the mini would be a understatement my friend. 

TN2TX

Thanks guys. Great looking steak @SGH . I already own a large so this would be for smaller cooks like burgers or chicken breast for me and the wife. 

RickyBobby

MiniMax

RickyBobby

I have an XL & MiniMax .... my MiniMax is awesome for smaller quicker cooks but I love how I can still do a small chicken or pork butt or whatever without firing my XL. Like SGH I prefer to do all my searing on my MiniMax ... it comes to temp so much faster and burns way less Lump. As far as portability, the MiniMax is a bit on the heavy side ... if you pull the guts out of it it's much easier to handle. That could be a big advantage with the Mini, portability. If you doubt it'll get moved around much ... I'd go for the one with a bit more real estate. Just my opinion.

JRWhitee

i have a mini max, it is similar to the small just easier to transport. You can get 3 larges steaks on at once. I love it!

odie91

coming from the owner of a mini, who actually got it for $225 WITH a warranty (gotta love my dealer), it's not worth the price.   will i give it away, heck no.  but would have saved the money towards a MM if i did it over again.

EggNashville

I have a large and a mini. Just two in my house so the mini gets a good deal of work.

love my mini, but I'd let your dimension needs guide the verdict.

can't go wrong...

Lit

I would sell my MM before my mini. MM is not really that portable and if you don't need portable get a small egg. 

biggreenrob

I can't speak for the mini, but I have the mini max.  It's so versatile, comes to high temps fast, and doing low and slow is a breeze.  It seems that accessories for the mini max/small are much easier to find as well.  It's awkward for one person to carry but doable.  I carry mine most of the time but don't mind the help when I can get it.

badinfluence

I have 2 of each...still use the mini more...but what do I know

Grillin_beers

I doubt you'll ever say I wish I had less grill space.  Go with the mini max.

MaC122

I bought my parents the mini and they never use it. I bought myself the minimax and I use it all the time. I do go to the large the most

bcsnave

I'll chime in on this...I have a Mini and think it is the best for searing or cooks of 2-3 people.

The Mini Max is only 3 inches larger but...man..when I lifted one...it sure isn't portable. 

Mini is great for chix breast or a couple of steaks...hech you can even do 3lb butts on it.

bgebrent

1+ @SGH.  The mini is a great cooker.  In all honesty, unless mobility is the primary factor get a small or medium.  More options.

YukonRon

I love my MM. Every time I use it I discover something else cry cool about it. Indirects are killer, directs, how much you can do. I did two MONSTER chops for My Beautiful Wife and I. When I bought it, she thought I was crazy, but now the food and the versatility, MBW thinks I got it going on.

SoCalTim

Love my mini, I did a 4.5 lb butt on if a few weeks ago ... It's a lump miser. 5 hrs with a ton of lump left over.

tcampbell

Got both if I had to keep only one it would be the mini.

ads75

I wanted a mini-max for my second egg when they were announced, but found a mini for $200 (new, with warranty card), from a dealer. Honestly, I only use the mini once in a while, just seem to use my Large more out of habit. But I do like that the mini can heat up and cool off quickly. After being on this forum and reading about the mini-max, I think I would go small over the mini-max, and just use a pot lifter for portability if I needed it.

mefgriller

The mini is so versatile. I have smoked small brisket,pork butt and grilled chicken and steak deliciously. It is well worth it. I make personal pizza that my granddaughter enjoys more than Pizza Hut. Only limited by your imagination

Large BGE  Mini BGE

Laurel Md

Mickey

Have both and use the Mini-Max more. Also have two Larges and use the Mini more than them. 

SkinnyV

Like Mickey my mini is getting less use due to the max.

booksw

I would like to get a portable grill for my son (he is a graduate student)- poor guy: the only outdoor cookers he has learned to use are my Eggs (large and minimax)!  He lives in a small apartment that has a communal porch, and there is a small patch of grass off the  driveway of the building.  I am thinking he will need to bring the grill inside when he isn't using it, and I know how hard it is to carry the minimax.

When I was his age, I remember grilling on a tiny thing called a hibachi grill.  It was so great and basic.  I haven't been able to find one.

Now I am considering getting him a mini.  Is it lighter than the minimax?  Could he carry it by himself?

stompbox

Minis are very transportable.  I think it is 35 pounds? Take a look on the bge site to verify.  But also make sure to get the nest HANDLER with it.  Same handle transporter that is made for the MM and makes it very easy to carry around IMO.

WeberWho

booksw said:

I would like to get a portable grill for my son (he is a graduate student)- poor guy: the only outdoor cookers he has learned to use are my Eggs (large and minimax)!  He lives in a small apartment that has a communal porch, and there is a small patch of grass off the  driveway of the building.  I am thinking he will need to bring the grill inside when he isn't using it, and I know how hard it is to carry the minimax.

When I was his age, I remember grilling on a tiny thing called a hibachi grill.  It was so great and basic.  I haven't been able to find one.

Now I am considering getting him a mini.  Is it lighter than the minimax?  Could he carry it by himself?

Just remember that ceramic stays hot for a long time. It's almost too good in some aspect. I use to bring my small egg for tailgating but became too much a hassle waiting for it to cool, handle, and move. I switched to a Weber Joe and eventually to a Jumbo Joe. You can lift it up and dump it out with one hand and will cool in 5 minutes. Weber might be something to consider in his situation. If theft isn't an issue and can wait 3-4 hours to go out and handle I'd go mini.

booksw

Thanks @stompbox! This forum is so helpful.

booksw

The deed is done! @WeberWho I dont think theft will be an issue and maybe with the external handles on the new nest/handler he will be able to bring it in before it is all the way cooled off. 

Now the next dilemma- does he HAVE to have the receipt in hand to register the warranty?  I know he needs the receipt to make a claim.  I just think it is tacky to hand someone a gift AND a receipt.  Especially when you know you spent too much money and you don't want them to know it, too...

Jeepster47

booksw said:

... Now the next dilemma- does he HAVE to have the receipt in hand to register the warranty?  I know he needs the receipt to make a claim.  I just think it is tacky to hand someone a gift AND a receipt.  Especially when you know you spent too much money and you don't want them to know it, too...

The warranty registration asks for the date the egg was placed in service.  He can register it as a gift or you can share with him the name and address where it was purchased.  Give him a digital copy of the receipt with the price redacted ... he can use that to make a claim.  You can retain the receipt "just in case."

BGE is the only entity that can see the registration ...