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    Can't wait any longer for MiniMax - need a portable. Kamado Joe Jr or BGE Small and why?

    Posts: 385
    in EggHead Forum
    Heading to beach for a week long Thanksgiving excursion with the extended family and we need a good grilling/smoking platform.  We were going to default to a MiniMax,it looks awesome, but multiple calls to our local dealer month after month and they still have no reliable date.  Reports of the cost of the MiniMax vary, but if it is not available to buy then it really doesn't matter.  The BGE small and the Kamado Jr look to be about the same price, though it looks like you get a little more with the Joe, and it seems to be a little more portable.  Anyone have a solution?

    -----------
    I feel a whole lot more like I do now than I did when I got here.
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    • Posts: 3,404
      edited November 2014
      Joe....and post pics or it didn't happen.

      Joe $400 or so
      Mini Max $650plus. And its not even here. Why reward them.with a small purchase when u want the max.
      Seattle, WA
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    • Posts: 28,928
      To keep it short and simple, when I was faced with the same choices as you I went with the Joe Jr. Portability and convienance won out in the end. Also the Jr. was much cheaper then as well.

      Location- Just "this side" of Biloxi, Ms.

      Status- Standing by.

      The greatest barrier against all wisdom, the stronghold against knowledge itself, is the single thought, in ones mind, that they already have it all figured out. 

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    • Posts: 3,404
      Use the Joe when the mini max is here in Jan sell the Joe and pay close to double if its worth it to you. You can't lose here.
      Seattle, WA
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    • Posts: 9,053
      Joe over small for sure. I sold my small like 2 weeks after getting the Joe.
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    • Posts: 1,345
      I had a chance to see the joe jr in action recently and was really impressed with all that came out of the box. If they are still at Costco you can get the joe jr. For $350. I had some wings off of a joe jr. Last night for a Monday night football game, and I have to say they were great.
      1 large BGE, Spartanburg SC

      My dog thinks I'm a grilling god. 
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    • Posts: 13,836
      I've been eyeing up a Jumbo Joe...It would need some kind of "stovepipe" insert to be used as a smoker.

      They/Them
      Morgantown, PA

      XL BGE - S BGE - KJ Jr - HB Legacy - BS Pizza Oven - 30" Firepit - King Kooker Fryer -  PR72T - WSJ - BS 17" Griddle - XXL BGE  - BS SS36" Griddle - 2 Burner Gasser - Pellet Smoker
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    • Posts: 13,836
      I would also add I like my Small, works great. I'm not sure how long you can run a full load of lump on a Joe Jr. or a Mini-Max, but I have gone 16 hours on my small with Fogo lump no problem.

      They/Them
      Morgantown, PA

      XL BGE - S BGE - KJ Jr - HB Legacy - BS Pizza Oven - 30" Firepit - King Kooker Fryer -  PR72T - WSJ - BS 17" Griddle - XXL BGE  - BS SS36" Griddle - 2 Burner Gasser - Pellet Smoker
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    • Posts: 5,797
      lakewade said:
      Heading to beach for a week long Thanksgiving excursion with the extended family and we need a good grilling/smoking platform.  We were going to default to a MiniMax,it looks awesome, but multiple calls to our local dealer month after month and they still have no reliable date.  Reports of the cost of the MiniMax vary, but if it is not available to buy then it really doesn't matter.  The BGE small and the Kamado Jr look to be about the same price, though it looks like you get a little more with the Joe, and it seems to be a little more portable.  Anyone have a solution?
      where do you live

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    • Posts: 385
      Crimsongator said:
      show previous quotes

      Austin, Texas

      -----------
      I feel a whole lot more like I do now than I did when I got here.
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    • Posts: 5,797
      Well, you're far to come borrow my mini max
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    • Posts: 2,490

      honestly, had a known of a KJ Roadshow at Costco this summer within proximity of where I am, I would have gotten the Joe Jr. already.  I took is as the cosmic mojo forces to hold out for the MiniMax when the KJ Roadshow couldn't be located near me


      already paid for the MM so I am awaiting my call to pick 'er up

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    • Posts: 385
      Crimsongator said:
      Well, you're far to come borrow my mini max
      thanks for the thought ;-)

      -----------
      I feel a whole lot more like I do now than I did when I got here.
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    • Posts: 1,009

      If no one buys them....the prices will fall

       

      The Dude..a Mini and a Large Egg..a DigiQ DX (BGE Green)..some Cast Iron...a Thermapen.............and an Ol' Fashion

      _____________________________________________________________________________

      Glenbeulah, WI

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    • Posts: 1,570
      If I traveled, I think the Joe Jr would be pretty ideal combination of size, features and price. 
      Cooking on an XL and Medium in Bethesda, MD.
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    • Posts: 460
      Even at full pop....(ie NOT a Costco road show price of 349.) the Jr is a compelling value, and a great cooker. It actually exists, is currently available to anyman, and has proven itself to a wide group of unbiased consumers not a handful of beta users. That said, if you need/want a high quality porta-Kamado now....there's your sign. Otherwise, keep waiting and spend more. At least you'll have made an informed decision either way.
      When I'm not Eggin', I'm scootin'   Eggin' and 'cueing from Temecula Ca; an hour from San Diego, an hour and five minutes from Palm Springs, and an hour and a half from Los Angeles (yeah, right. With THAT traffic?)
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    • Posts: 30
      Sounds like FUD to me
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    • Posts: 3,404
      bcsnave said:

      If no one buys them....the prices will fall

       

      Like the mini? Corp told me once no one buys em....boy they sure lowered that price huh.
      Seattle, WA
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    • Posts: 492
      Grab a weber smoky mountain and the get a Mini-Maxx down the road.

      Do something fun that makes you happy- 
      Proud resident of Missoula, MT
      https://www.facebook.com/GrillingMontana
      http://grillingmontana.com
      https://instagram.com/grillingmontana

      Check out my book on Kamado cooking called Exclusively Kamado:
      http://bit.ly/kamadobook

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    • Posts: 14,414
      Gogogordy said:

      Even at full pop....(ie NOT a Costco road show price of 349.) the Jr is a compelling value, and a great cooker. It actually exists, is currently available to anyman, and has proven itself to a wide group of unbiased consumers not a handful of beta users. That said, if you need/want a high quality porta-Kamado now....there's your sign. Otherwise, keep waiting and spend more. At least you'll have made an informed decision either way.

      I just hope Costco carries it near me.
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    • Posts: 9,053
      @Eggcelsior‌ the guy that was at the KJ roadshow near me said they were most likely going to expand the roadshow to more cities after the first one was done.
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    • Posts: 12,136
      lakewade said:
      Heading to beach for a week long Thanksgiving excursion with the extended family and we need a good grilling/smoking platform.  We were going to default to a MiniMax,it looks awesome, but multiple calls to our local dealer month after month and they still have no reliable date.  Reports of the cost of the MiniMax vary, but if it is not available to buy then it really doesn't matter.  The BGE small and the Kamado Jr look to be about the same price, though it looks like you get a little more with the Joe, and it seems to be a little more portable.  Anyone have a solution?
      When and what beach are you going to visit?
      Thank you,
      Darian

      Galveston Texas
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    • Posts: 336
      @lit and @eggcelsior, I just emailed them asking to see if we can purchase from costco without being local to a show.  Will report back answer.  







      2 Xl's, MM and Forno Bello
      Pizza Oven in Bergen County, NJ
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    • Posts: 81
      I liked the size of the MiniMax and did not want to wait or spend the extra money. I built a table for the KJ Jr and it gets along with my XL BGE just fine.

      Location 33.537588, -83.969298 (33.5 miles and 41 minutes SE of the Mothership)

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    • Posts: 4,484
      kdink said:
      @lit and @eggcelsior, I just emailed them asking to see if we can purchase from costco without being local to a show.  Will report back answer.  

      Here is the Costco schedule I found online.  








      XL, WSM, Coleman Road Trip Gas Grill

      Kansas City, Mo.
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    • Posts: 460
      3sheets said:
      I liked the size of the MiniMax and did not want to wait or spend the extra money. I built a table for the KJ Jr and it gets along with my XL BGE just fine.

      That's some gorgeous craftsmanship there. Bravo!
      When I'm not Eggin', I'm scootin'   Eggin' and 'cueing from Temecula Ca; an hour from San Diego, an hour and five minutes from Palm Springs, and an hour and a half from Los Angeles (yeah, right. With THAT traffic?)
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    • Posts: 3,404
      All the eggers should send pics to corp of their new Jr, next to their original BGE.
      Seattle, WA
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    • Posts: 14,414
      SkinnyV said:
      All the eggers should send pics to corp of their new Jr, next to their original BGE.
      This would be very funny.
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    • Posts: 14,414
      Eggcelsior said:
      show previous quotes
      This would be very funny.
      Even better! Post pics on the BGE facebook page!
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    • Posts: 460
      Despite the product loyalty and camaraderie of its customer base enjoyed by BGE this poorly handled product introduction isn't great reputationally especially given a very worthy and already available competitive product out there. At least some official communication/explanation would be a great PR move on their part. Don't understand the silence.
      When I'm not Eggin', I'm scootin'   Eggin' and 'cueing from Temecula Ca; an hour from San Diego, an hour and five minutes from Palm Springs, and an hour and a half from Los Angeles (yeah, right. With THAT traffic?)
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    • Posts: 30
      Since FUD now is acceptable in these
      threads. KJ is made in China from fire clay. Do you think there is any lead or cadmium in them? Google lead and cadmium and tell me if it is worth the risk using for food. And don't use the Rutland excuse. Different uses.
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