Is the Mini really worth it?

Hamm

I am an advid camper, however it is usually with my wife and another couple. We love the Large Egg, and want that same great taste when we camp. Is the mini big enough to cook for four people?

Unknown

Hamm, My family are avid campers, pop-uppers for years. I have the mini and love it. It will do 5 burgers, filets, hot dogs, pork chops for my wife and 3 boys. It is liteweight and easy to tote around. Many people like the small for camping, it does cook more. However, for us, the small takes up to much storage space and is heavier. I use the mini at home for my wife and I more than I use the large, except for low and slows. The mini is not a low and slow cooker, but it does burgers and steaks better than any of the others, in my humble opine.

GoodEgg

slicktop,[p]I'm curious to know why you like the mini better than the large for burgers and steaks. Is it because the food's closer to the heat? Or because it's easier and takes less time to get to temp?

Chef Arnoldi

<p />Hamm, i love my mini - can do 4 large burgers per grid, or a 3lb chicken[p]
see photo of my 2 grid set-up for 8 burgers (also made a plate setter for indirect cooking (from a 9" pizza stone) to prevent charring of the underside when doing chicken & a place to put a drip pan

TRex

<p />Hamm,[p]Yes. I've have not been camping since I bought the Mini but I've probably used it as much if not more than my larger Eggs. It's just perfect when you want to do a couple of steaks or chops or burgers etc., etc. for just you and your wife . . . or just you. :-) It's the best eggvestment I've made for the money.[p]If you are an avid camper, it will be just that much more useful. [p]Buy it.[p]TRex

YB

Hamm,
I have 2 mini eggs and really like them...Here is a couple of pictures at the lake cooking on the mini egg.
Larry
[ul][li]Mini at the lake[/ul]

YB

<p />Hamm,
Here is one more picture with chicken and shrimp on the mini egg.There is 27 chicken drumetts on the mini using 2 grids.
Larry

Smokey

Hamm,[p]I love the mini. I use a milk crate for transportation, making a few cut-outs to accommodate the handles. Also, I purchased a paving stone that fits inside the crate perfectly. The mini egg fits inside the milk crate, but the crate (with the pacer on top) acts as a small stand, raising it up another 12 inches or so! It travels VERY well.

WooDoggies

<p />Hamm,[p]The best steaks I ever et were cooked on a mini by a crazy Canadian who goes by the name of Mike aka BBQFan1 aka Dizzy Pig.[p]When he thaws out, I'm sure he'll tell you to get the mini.[p]John[p]

WooDoggies

<p />lemme try this again....... looks like he's still frozen.

WooDoggies

<p />And while I'm on a roll, get the mini......... it works good. :~)[p]

Angie2B

Hamm, You can do the meat portion of a meal for 4 people on a mini. You just have to be creative. Also, a lot of people will say you can't do low and slow on a mini, but you can. I have smoked several times with mine low and slow without problems. For instance, a small 3lb butt will only take about 8 hours to get to 200 degrees. Open the bottom vent 1/4in and lay a tile over the top vent so that only 1/4in is open and it will hold at 225 degrees for about 4 hours, then you stir the lump and it will go about 2-3 more hours. Once the meat is pulled you have plenty for sandwiches for four people. You can also take spare ribs roll them up and then tie them and get them to fit on a mini. To cook indirect, use a small disposable alumm pan then make 3-4 little aluminum logs for the meat to sit on. It works pretty well. [p]I can also cook a turkey breast on a mini, I have had to debone it and trim it a little to get it to fit. ( Bones and trimmed meat used for noodles the next day) You can also fit quite a few sausages on it too. [p]It is crowded when cooking, and I am still saving up for a medium, but I really like my mini.

TRex

Hamm,[p]I should also mention that the Mini comes in really handy when I want to sear a prime rib before transferring it to the Medium for a low temp roast.[p]Also, I've used the Mini on more than one occasion as a chimney starter when I do low and slows in the Medium and want to scatter a few glowing coals on top of the heap of lump in the Medium for a slow & even burn to the bottom.[p]TRex

BBQfan1

WooDoggies,
You must be talkin' about the steaks we did post-Fest on YB's mini! Those steaks weren't marinated but the Qfan was by about that time!! Yeah, I liked cookin' on that little guy! I'd recommend it as a nice tote-along Egg with a half-decent capacity (as YB's pix below illustrate).
A dusting of snow this morning, but the mid-afternoons are spring jacket weather. Won't be long til I can park the snowbrush for the season!
Qfan

mad max beyond eggdome

WooDoggies,
that is still the BEST egg picture i've ever seen. . .

WooDoggies

<p />BBQfan1,[p]Yes, you cooked those steaks on YB's wee little rig Saturday night after the fest. They were NY Strips rubbed with Cow Lick the night before and seared hot and fast.... almost charred on the outside and pink and juicey and beautiful on the inside........ still the best steaks I ever had.[p]Here you are just beginning to get marinated that same day and cooking some of the bestest by far ribs I ever ate. You were on a roll and you are some kind of cook.... I tell you what...... even if you do grill in your boxers in the snow![p]John [p]

Nature Boy

I agree. Ever. Might even be the best cooking action picture I have ever seen. Not much you could do to improve it. The light sure was werkin fer him dat day.[p]Woo IS an artist ya know! :-))
Chris

WooDoggies

Aw shuck boys, go on...........

YB

WooDoggies,
Here you are John stealing one of Mike's ribs.
Larry
[ul][li]Rib Thief[/ul]

WooDoggies

YB,[p]Nabbed!......... the devil made me do it!

Nature Boy

YB,
On the table is the VERY beginning of the Dizzy Pig. First samples ever passed out!![p]Tippin a beer toward a now Larry!
Chris

Nature Boy

Larry....[p]"Tippin a beer toward ya now" that is![p]Only one beer, and I have no business typing.
:>)
Chris

ToyCollector

WooDoggies,[p]I agree, best pic of an egg in action. I start drooling everytime I see it.

YB

Nature Boy,
I still have one of those bags I got at Waldorf.....Thats some good stuff.
Larry