Good to be back on here!

A31unit

It has been about 8 years since I had to sell off my Large BGE due to a divorce.  I have been sniffing around to get another recently.  I saw a mini max for sale yesterday on marketplace nearby and ultimately took it home for 180!! Wasn't looking for a MM but I thought it was a steal.  The thing looks like new is most likely the victim of a noobs lack of patience.  Anyways good to be back.  Feel free to give me a heads up on must have accessories.  I am pondering a way to get too many ribs on this thing at once.

johnmitchell

Welcome back and I am sure you will get plenty of suggestions on how to spend your money 😉

A31unit

I was already looking at ripping its guts out in favor of ash baskets, controllers, and CGS accessories, however something also tells me not to try to make the MM into something it isn't.  The one thing that needs some tlc is the top vent which is the older daisy wheel design and its got a fair amount of surface rust.  Was thinking wire brush and high temp rustoleum or just buying a new style vent.  

bluebird66

Welcome back!

lousubcap

Welcome back.  Great you are resuming the journey.  I agree with your instincts.  Don't trick it out til you know its performance characteristics and then limitations.  

Ozzie_Isaac

Welcome back!  Smoking deal in the MM.  

Ragingirishman2

It’s great to meet you and welcome back to the forum. I’m looking forward to following your adventures with the MM

zaphod

nice to meet you

Canugghead

Welcome back. Read your For Sale post, glad you listened to @Wolfpack

A31unit

I did some turbo ribs (350 for about 2 hrs) and I was dissappointed with the result.  Even with the platesetter heavy char on the bone side and tough dry meat.  So much so that I have immediately lost faith in the MM's design due to the fact that even with the platesetter it just seems that the meat is too too close to the fuel.  I do realize that turbo ribs can't compare to a slolow but this was an epic fail.
Are there any others that have had the experience with the MM feeling its designed for failure?  Thanks.

DoubleEgger

I believe Ceramic Grill Store has products to help remedy that issue. I remember your complaint being common on here when the MM first came out. 

A31unit

DoubleEgger said:

I believe Ceramic Grill Store has products to help remedy that issue. I remember your complaint being common on here when the MM first came out. 

Thanks.  Yes I saw that woo setup that raises the grate above gasket level.  guess the decision is to dump the whole setup or further invest.  I feel the MM may be a better BBQ grill and the smoking should be left up to the larger eggs...  Interesting how the XL and MM are designed the same.  Short and fat

DoubleEgger

I agree that the mini max isn’t much of a smoker. I’ve had one for several years and never found a reason to actually fire it up. 

zaphod

I can solve that problem.

BeanHead

I smoke on my MM all the time. I would also highly suggest the kickash can and basket for the MM. 

BeanHead

For ribs I cut the racks in half and set them like a tent with the backbone on the grate (can do 2 babyback racks or one spare rack on the MM this way). I try and pull the backbone in to ensure the rack is actually over the PS not above the gap. If your tent(s) looks like it will lean too much or fall over you can secure them with a long toothpick. I cook mine between 225° and 250°F. I don’t seem to have a pic of this set-up, I will need to take one next time I cook ribs on the MM. I have an XL as well and they both cook/behave the same in my opinion. Just depends on how much food you want to cook at any given meal. 

A31unit

Thanks for the responses!  As luck would have it I was able to trade my MM toward a LargeBGE in a table with a ton of accessories!  I'm a happy camper.

lousubcap

@A31unit - better to be lucky than good right there.