It Takes a Village to Raise a Mini..Learning Curve

Judy Mayberry · February 2011

My Mini is one week old and I've cooked twice on it. Forgive this sin...but I'm the only one eating the results. Last night I did a 1" ribeye and took some really bad pictures (wish I had three arms). The villagers involved will be named.

First, I doused the meat with olive oil, then rubbed in Richard FL's Kona Koast Koffee Rub. I love coffee on beef.

I put lump up to the top of the fire bowl, used a broken Weber's starter cube to light it in three places. Those cubes are 10 years old and they still work great! I left the lid up for several minutes and then put it down to see what the dome temp would register.

That's 570°, and it couldn't even have been 10 minutes at the most! Then I put in a cast iron fajita pan that was a gift from my Secret Santa, LFGEnergy (Dave Poe), and closed the lid so it could get hot.

After a while, I used the laser thermometer on the cast iron:

Wow! What a shock! 724° on the fajita pan, so I put on the steak, then turned it after a few minutes. After I took it off, I put a couple of big button mushrooms cut in half on the cast iron and closed the Egg down.

I did't think a 1" steak is thick enough to do a rest and a dwell, and I was right.

I retrieved the perfectly cooked mushrooms, and added some reheated green vegetables and a tomato, doused with shallot vinaigrette (thanks, Rebecca), and cut off a piece of the steak so you could see the perfect dark pink inside.

It was REALLY good, and the rub was delicious. I retrieved the cold fajita pan this morning and saw almost all the lump was still there!

Mini-Mania seems to have descended on this forum..just in time for all us new Mini owners!

Scottborasjr · February 2011

Looks fantastic Judy, debating whether or not to take the plunge on a mini or small to take to the lake this summer myself.

Mainegg · February 2011

Nice looking cook Judy. the mini is a little monster for sure!

Judy Mayberry · February 2011

I have both, Scott. I can see the Mini is perfect for a main dish for two people, with maybe a fast second cook while the first one rests. For more versatility, including a raised grid for the Small, you have a lot more options whether 2 or several people. But the Small is heavy! Are you THE HULK?

Mickey · February 2011

"I think she's got it" as someone once said

Hoss · February 2011

OH MY! That is a TASTEE lookin meal.

RRP · February 2011

granted a small at 65 pounds is over twice a mini at 30 pounds, but using a Pot Lifter I find I can move my small around like a piece of somewhat heavy luggage with ease! Seriously! I can even lift my small out of my table using that PotLifter and no I'm not a big guy! Since the mini has been jacked so much in price then a small even makes more sense given the increased size and versatility that a small delivers.

Bulldog Mom · February 2011

Wow! That looks really good. I am afraid to go much past the grilling, smoking aspect of Egg life because I am fearful of a grease fire. But this looks awesome. I need to realize the full potential of the Eggs.

elzbth · February 2011

Looks great....I want a mini soooo bad. Getting a knee for Valentine's Day. Maybe I can get a mini for Tax Day???

FlaPoolman · February 2011

Looks great Judy I love mine. I have the mini woo but have not bought the amazon stones yet

Love it for steaks and once I get the stones I think I'll use it even more.

Judy Mayberry · February 2011

Pat: My woo is arriving on Wednesday, and the two small stones came on Friday. What do you think I should start with?

I'm going to start 48-hour pizza dough tonight just in case, but I like to make larger pizzas than 8".

Judy

Judy Mayberry · February 2011

Elizabeth:

Do you mean you're getting a knee replacement?

If you are, I want to correspond because I think I'm ripe for one...it's escalated in the last few months to being really troublesome from being tolerable for years.

FlaPoolman · February 2011

I would do more chicken and sides on the mini if I could go indirect, perfect for baked or twice baked potatoes. Kim and Ginny cranked out pizzas all day long on their mini at the Ocala fest a couple years ago. Small pizzas give you the option of making different ones for each person and the kids enjoy making their own. The mini can be a cooking machine as bill and Faith have shown.

Judy Mayberry · February 2011

You mean [lowercase]bill, I assume...and that was THE most stupefying rollout of pictures I've ever seen!!!!!!

FlaPoolman · February 2011

Yes, between him and Faith they could feed an army with their minis,, Kim and Ginny did

eenie meenie · February 2011

Judy, everything looks delicious!

Glad you're enjoying the shallot vinaigrette.

Now you and all the other mini owners have made me want to get a mini. I'll look forward to your future mini cooks.

elzbth · February 2011

I'll be glad to share the details of my experience with you...I'm tired of hurting. I've selected a physician who does knees and hips and has a great record of successful surgery and recovery. I'll send you an email in a few days - me address is empressyayaATyahoodotcom.