mini max vs komado joe jr

Gogogordy · October 2014

Whirly said:

I agree. No major difference in cooking. The concept is centuries old. I disagree on quality. BGE has been around 40 years, this competitor 5 years. Look at the fit and finish. A Kia does not use the same quality of components as a BMW. Nowadays there is no free lunch. Everything is priced for a reason.

Hilarious comparison.

SGH · October 2014

@PNWFoodie‌
Very simple answer. The wife wanted the mini. As to the difference in size. The Joe Jr. cooking grid is 13 inches and the mini is 10 inches. My JOE Jr. will accept cooking grids out of a small BGE.

Lit · October 2014

BigGreenPackerFan said:

DaveShady said:

KJ - not the same ceramic as the BGE

I have seen the inside of both broken and KJ is porous BGE is solid no air pockets

Warranty BGE is easy to deal with and dealers take care of it when something
goes bad.

We sold KJ for a while also and they sat and sat and sat while eggs got delivered
warranty and such I think makes a differance to some folks.

I was beginning to wonder if anyone was going to make this point. I have tried to point out differences in the 2 on this forum but no one ever wants to hear it and will be quick to call BS. You get what you pay for and even though BGE has become an incredible marketing machine they still have the BEST quality product, warranty, support of any Kamado grill on the market.

The ceramics on the KJ are not the same quality. The KJ is not thicker. They only spot on a KJ that is thicker than the Big Green Egg is at the bands and that is for a reason. Measure the thickness at the draft door and the KJ is actually thinner.

The KJ does not perform the same. For those of you that have both a BGE and a KJ take the dome temperature up to 250 for an hour or so and then use a infrared thermometer and take some readings of the temperature of the outside of the dome and the base on both. Try this at 450 and then try it at 700 and watch your readings. You might be surprised at what you see and you will have no doubt which one has the better ceramics after you do this. You can cook great food on a KJ, Vision, Grill Dome or whatever but they are NOT the same as Big Green Egg for less. They are LESS. They do have some features that I like but I am not willing to take a chance on a lesser quality product. I am sticking with the brand that has been good to me for the last 11 years and see a Mini Max in my future.

That's just my opinion after years of happiness with a Big Green Egg and recent side by side tests with other Kamados. Not worth the risk for me.

sorry but the take a reading on the outside crap is BS. I have read the outside dome of my mini at 540 with my IR before. I sold my small egg or I would do a side by side with pics but I will update this on 11/1 when I get my MM. I net they are almost exactly the same.

BigGreenPackerFan · October 2014

Lit said:

DaveShady said:

KJ - not the same ceramic as the BGE

I have seen the inside of both broken and KJ is porous BGE is solid no air pockets

Warranty BGE is easy to deal with and dealers take care of it when something
goes bad.

We sold KJ for a while also and they sat and sat and sat while eggs got delivered
warranty and such I think makes a differance to some folks.

I was beginning to wonder if anyone was going to make this point. I have tried to point out differences in the 2 on this forum but no one ever wants to hear it and will be quick to call BS. You get what you pay for and even though BGE has become an incredible marketing machine they still have the BEST quality product, warranty, support of any Kamado grill on the market.
The ceramics on the KJ are not the same quality. The KJ is not thicker. They only spot on a KJ that is thicker than the Big Green Egg is at the bands and that is for a reason. Measure the thickness at the draft door and the KJ is actually thinner.
The KJ does not perform the same. For those of you that have both a BGE and a KJ take the dome temperature up to 250 for an hour or so and then use a infrared thermometer and take some readings of the temperature of the outside of the dome and the base on both. Try this at 450 and then try it at 700 and watch your readings. You might be surprised at what you see and you will have no doubt which one has the better ceramics after you do this. You can cook great food on a KJ, Vision, Grill Dome or whatever but they are NOT the same as Big Green Egg for less. They are LESS. They do have some features that I like but I am not willing to take a chance on a lesser quality product. I am sticking with the brand that has been good to me for the last 11 years and see a Mini Max in my future.
That's just my opinion after years of happiness with a Big Green Egg and recent side by side tests with other Kamados. Not worth the risk for me.
sorry but the take a reading on the outside crap is BS. I have read the outside dome of my mini at 540 with my IR before. I sold my small egg or I would do a side by side with pics but I will update this on 11/1 when I get my MM. I net they are almost exactly the same.

No BS about it. I have done it many times. Also will get higher readings on a Primo. Feel free to do the ice water challenge while you are at it but you better have your KJ warranty papers close by.

deekortiz3 · October 2014

I really want to know if the KJ Jr. heat deflector/grid setup will fit in the MM.

The MM is superior in most ways but for in-direct cooks I think the Spider/Elevator setup would be an improvement over the Plate-Setter.

Maybe CGS will put together something similar for the MM. *hint* *hint*

RickyBobby · October 2014

I appreciate all the responses ... you all make some very interesting points. It's going to be a tougher decision than I originally anticipated.

badinfluence · October 2014

@lit you just might want to listen to @DaveShady‌ as I personally take his word over yours seeing as he is MY dealer. I personally think your glass is always half empty and never half full.

RickyBobby · October 2014

Have any of you folks been told a date of when you can expect to have your Mini Max in hand? I know they're saying distributed on 11-1-14 but what does that really mean? Just curious. I probably should just go talk to my dealer.

BigGreenPackerFan · October 2014

RickyBobby said:

Have any of you folks been told a date of when you can expect to have your Mini Max in hand? I know they're saying distributed on 11-1-14 but what does that really mean? Just curious. I probably should just go talk to my dealer.

What part of the country are you in? They will ship to distributors the week of 11-3 but will be very limited to start. I would expect to see them in dealers the week of 11-10 but VERY limited at first.

3sheets · October 2014

I just bought a Joe Jr for $399 and can buy a lot of pig meat for the $200+ difference between this and the minimax. My XL BGE will still get plenty of burn time.

3sheets · October 2014

I needed something this weekend to take with me and the XL does not travel very well. I'll let you know how I like the Joe jr.

GATABITES · October 2014

I picked up a JR last night to compliment my XL. Let me tell you its NICE. A bit Heavy; but definitely very portable. I cant wait to take her on a road trip. Its a great package deal.

Im still an egghead at heart.......

mini max vs komado joe jr

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