Does a MiniMax hold enough charcoal to smoke a pork butt?

usna70

My wife (God Bless Her!) gave me a MiniMax for our anniversary.  Now I don't have to cringe at lighting up my large BGE for a few burgers or dogs.  The BGE website says you can smoke a rack of ribs on it but I'm wondering (and doubting) that it can hold enough charcoal for a 10-12 hour smoke for a butt or brisket.  Any opinions?

SoCalTim

Fill that baby to where it almost touches the plate setter ... post pictures of that awesome butt when you finish.

NCEggSmoker

I've seen some photos of butts on Mini Maxes and Joe Juniors. I've done two butts on the Joe Junior.  ~8 lbs trimmed.  Use a pie tin as drip pan to avoid all that grease running down inside and you can use a cork as a space to pull the probe back so it doesn't poke into the meat.

fishlessman

worst that could happen is finishing the butt up in the oven, no one would even notice the difference

DaveRichardson

Cooked at a demo a while back with a MiniMax....  Did an 8.42 pound butt. with a Flame Boss 100 with no problem!  Now just to convince my wife to let me get one!!!!!

Big_Green_Craig

If I am cooking a single pork butt, I cook it hot and fast on the Mini Max. You will have to load the fire bowl like a game of Tetris, but yes it can be done. 

meturncl

Ive done 2 butts so far and the lump lasted 10+ hours at 230-250 degrees.  I place the platesetter legs up covered in foil on top of the fire ring and not in the pre cut grooves.   Posted pictures below. 

lkapigian

meturncl said:

Ive done 2 butts so far and the lump lasted 10+ hours at 230-250 degrees.  I place the platesetter legs up covered in foil on top of the fire ring and not in the pre cut grooves.   Posted pictures below. 

Why don't you have your plate setter sitting in the notches?

northGAcock

Like stink on a monkey!

SmokeyPitt

lkapigian said:

meturncl said:

Ive done 2 butts so far and the lump lasted 10+ hours at 230-250 degrees.  I place the platesetter legs up covered in foil on top of the fire ring and not in the pre cut grooves.   Posted pictures below. 

Why don't you have your plate setter sitting in the notches?

@lkapigian I'm guessing it is to allow him to pile up more lump in the fire bowl /ring for a longer cook.  

drewzim

Did a little 5.5 # butt last week on vacation on the MM.  First time I've done one on the little guy.  Cooked it around 300F than I to get it done a little quicker. Turned out as good as any and had plenty of lump left to burn when I was done.  Go for it!

lkapigian

SmokeyPitt said:

lkapigian said:

meturncl said:

Ive done 2 butts so far and the lump lasted 10+ hours at 230-250 degrees.  I place the platesetter legs up covered in foil on top of the fire ring and not in the pre cut grooves.   Posted pictures below. 

Why don't you have your plate setter sitting in the notches?

@lkapigian I'm guessing it is to allow him to pile up more lump in the fire bowl /ring for a longer cook.  

True...I got a Mini this week, going to do a pork tri tip since they are smaller and take it to the "Pull Point" though they are very lean, they will break down

Lit

lkapigian said:

SmokeyPitt said:

lkapigian said:

meturncl said:

Ive done 2 butts so far and the lump lasted 10+ hours at 230-250 degrees.  I place the platesetter legs up covered in foil on top of the fire ring and not in the pre cut grooves.   Posted pictures below. 

Why don't you have your plate setter sitting in the notches?

@lkapigian I'm guessing it is to allow him to pile up more lump in the fire bowl /ring for a longer cook.  

True...I got a Mini this week, going to do a pork tri tip since they are smaller and take it to the "Pull Point" though they are very lean, they will break down

You can do a decent sized shoulder in the mini. I did a 6lb one once and had lump left when I was done. http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1150687/mini-to-the-max#latest

meturncl

For more airflow and to pile on more lump.