Minimax used versus new

AlexCapote

 I’ve been on the market for a minimax to add beside my XL for quite some time.  I found one locally that has only been used a couple of times in great condition for $325. (No cracks, carrier grates ash tools etc included) At that price should I still consider a new unit from dealer or is this deal to good to pass up? 

Thanks,
Alex

odie91

No warranty brah!

AlexCapote

 I guess the better question is… Is that warranty worth $300? 

buzd504

Rule of thumb around here is 50% of retail cost is the acceptable rate, with accessories thrown in as lagniappe.  Since you already have an XL, you are aware of the potential for breaks, cracks, etc.  I think the smaller eggs tend to have less issues, but that's just anecdotal from reading stuff on here.  If you want a minimax, I'd offer $300 and get it.

hoosier_egger

Add 75 bucks to that and go to Costco and grab a KJ Jr during the roadshow. I want the warranty 

Oh no, I think I just started another war 😎

Sea2Ski

ColtsFan said:

Oh no, I think I just started another war 😎

Way to go man...  way to go. 

cookingdude555

I’d buy it. Chances are that the bottom 3 pieces of the egg won’t all be compromised. One or two might. You get lifetime warranty on replacement ceramics. If you are unlucky in needing the ring, base, and firebox, I think their price could be very close to $300. 

Sea2Ski

I was thinking to myself about 3-4 months ago about no one reporting cracks with the MM on here that I can remember.  
I went to do a thorough clean out last week, and found the firebox is cracked all the way down about 1/3 the way around from the factory split. No idea what the cost is, but figure I should get the replacement sooner rather than later.  Wonder what that cost would be out of curiosity.

$325 is not a bad price, but coltsfan has a valid point. 

WVsmokin

Sea2Ski said:

ColtsFan said:

Oh no, I think I just started another war 😎

Vow to only burn Cowboy Lump in it and really get things rolling while you're at it.  

Kitarkus

I'd buy it and wouldn't hesitate for a minute. I've never used the warranty and I've had a large for many many years. But my mini max used for 300 bucks. Some of the best $300 I ever spent

AlexCapote

Thanks- I’m going for it. Im sure I will love the MM 

unoriginalusername

AlexCapote said:

Thanks- I’m going for it. Im sure I will love the MM 

I love mine. I’d probably get a small or a KJ jr for the extra clearance if I did it again. 

Eventually I replaced the fire ring with the newer shorter ring which drops the grate even closer to the coals. 

With a KAB and a PS woo it’s become very, very handy and I like it. Just count on that in your budget 

DoubleEgger

The smaller eggs seem to hold up better as far as cracking is concerned. Just a function of the amount of thermal mass and the propensity of having a a void in the ceramic
that ultimately causes a crack. 

unoriginalusername

DoubleEgger said:

The smaller eggs seem to hold up better as far as cracking is concerned. Just a function of the amount of thermal mass and the propensity of having a a void in the ceramic
that ultimately causes a crack. 

True but the MM nest doesn’t have enough clearance to do searing temps on a wood table without protection. I have shattered a tile underneath it, not as much air gap as the large nest 

DoubleEgger

unoriginalusername said:

DoubleEgger said:

The smaller eggs seem to hold up better as far as cracking is concerned. Just a function of the amount of thermal mass and the propensity of having a a void in the ceramic
that ultimately causes a crack. 

True but the MM nest doesn’t have enough clearance to do searing temps on a wood table without protection. I have shattered a tile underneath it, not as much air gap as the large nest 

Add some bolt on isolation pads to the feet to raise it 

bgebrent

unoriginalusername said:

DoubleEgger said:

The smaller eggs seem to hold up better as far as cracking is concerned. Just a function of the amount of thermal mass and the propensity of having a a void in the ceramic
that ultimately causes a crack. 

True but the MM nest doesn’t have enough clearance to do searing temps on a wood table without protection. I have shattered a tile underneath it, not as much air gap as the large nest 

I use my MM mostly for searing.  A standard tile under its feet for a couple of years and no problem.  But I believe you.

Matt86m

I have an XL too and have been looking for a MM to pop up. At $325 I'd buy it. They don't come used often.

AlexCapote

Picked up the MM today and love it. It’s in great shape, very lightly used...

Photo Egg

AlexCapote said:

Picked up the MM today and love it. It’s in great shape, very lightly used...

Excellent, someone more familiar can help with this...Old handle or new handle on this one? There were issues with the old handles failing by bolt pulling out.

cookingdude555

Photo Egg said:

AlexCapote said:

Picked up the MM today and love it. It’s in great shape, very lightly used...

Excellent, someone more familiar can help with this...Old handle or new handle on this one? There were issues with the old handles failing by bolt pulling out.

I think mines the newer style. It’s a hex head bolt on both sides. 


Congrats @AlexCapote, thats a nice score.

unoriginalusername

AlexCapote said:

Picked up the MM today and love it. It’s in great shape, very lightly used...

AlexCapote said:

Picked up the MM today and love it. It’s in great shape, very lightly used...

Amazing. Congratulations