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Mini

JMCXL
JMCXL Posts: 1,524
in EggHead Forum
Thoughts on the MINI.  I am thinking of finishing my collect with a Mini.  How does it preform?  Easy to get to temp (L/S) and hold for 6-8 hours?

If you have one what do you use it for (travel, burgers, whole chicken?).

Thanks for any feedback...
Northern New Jersey
 XL - Woo2, AR      L (2) - Woo, PS Woo     MM (2) - Woo       MINI

Check out https://www.grillingwithpapaj.com for some fun and more Grilling with Papa (incase you haven't gotten enough of me)

Also, check out my YouTube Page
https://www.youtube.com/c/grillingwithpapaj

Follow me on Facebook 
https://www.facebook.com/GrillingPapaJ/

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Comments

  • Jai-Bo
    Jai-Bo Posts: 584
    Mini Max or plain ole mini?  I have the mini-max and I haven't done long cooks w/ mine...I usually travel with mine and cook a variety of things.  Keeping the temperature level is harder in the MM then my large...
    Hunting-Fishing-Cookin' on my EGG! Nothing else compares!
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  • tenpenny_05
    tenpenny_05 Posts: 286
    Mini is a bit of a novelty. I had one for awhile and used it to sear steaks one at a time.  I did ribs on it a few times just to say I did. You can fit a full rack on it if you cut it up and get creative.
    Kansas City, Kansas
    Second hand Medium BGE, Second hand Black Kamado Joe Classic, Second hand Weber Kettle, Second hand Weber Smokey Mountain
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  • Photo Egg
    Photo Egg Posts: 12,137
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLbmjcSNPVo
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_DIshWuRLE
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIgTkeR184A
    Thank you,
    Darian

    Galveston Texas
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  • epcotisbest
    epcotisbest Posts: 2,176
    I think a mini would be fun. A couple of burgers or one nice sized steak shared with my wife only using a little bitty bit of lump sounds like fun to me. But, here is a question...judging from the pic you posted the other day, the collection currently consists of three BGEs...how does the mini finish the collection? Seems to me there is room for a few more sizes. There is a difference in finishing the collection and just adding to it!
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  • JMCXL
    JMCXL Posts: 1,524
    epcotisbest said:
    I think a mini would be fun. A couple of burgers or one nice sized steak shared with my wife only using a little bitty bit of lump sounds like fun to me. But, here is a question...judging from the pic you posted the other day, the collection currently consists of three BGEs...how does the mini finish the collection? Seems to me there is room for a few more sizes. There is a difference in finishing the collection and just adding to it!
    I have to tell my wife this will finish it, but...
    I like all my egg, the XL is my favorite (when cooking at home). I can cook anything on it and the temp control is excellent.

    The mini just look cool (can't say cute).  would I use it yes for small cooks and would be easier when just my wife and I go away.  Think I would only get it if I was one used for a store just trying to dump it...
    Northern New Jersey
     XL - Woo2, AR      L (2) - Woo, PS Woo     MM (2) - Woo       MINI

    Check out https://www.grillingwithpapaj.com for some fun and more Grilling with Papa (incase you haven't gotten enough of me)

    Also, check out my YouTube Page
    https://www.youtube.com/c/grillingwithpapaj

    Follow me on Facebook 
    https://www.facebook.com/GrillingPapaJ/

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  • JMCXL
    JMCXL Posts: 1,524

    Jai-Bo said:
    Mini Max or plain ole mini?  I have the mini-max and I haven't done long cooks w/ mine...I usually travel with mine and cook a variety of things.  Keeping the temperature level is harder in the MM then my large...
    Mini, I already have the MiniMax and love it.
    Northern New Jersey
     XL - Woo2, AR      L (2) - Woo, PS Woo     MM (2) - Woo       MINI

    Check out https://www.grillingwithpapaj.com for some fun and more Grilling with Papa (incase you haven't gotten enough of me)

    Also, check out my YouTube Page
    https://www.youtube.com/c/grillingwithpapaj

    Follow me on Facebook 
    https://www.facebook.com/GrillingPapaJ/

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  • JMCXL
    JMCXL Posts: 1,524
    tenpenny_05 said:
    Mini is a bit of a novelty. I had one for awhile and used it to sear steaks one at a time.  I did ribs on it a few times just to say I did. You can fit a full rack on it if you cut it up and get creative.
    How was it with temp control?
    Northern New Jersey
     XL - Woo2, AR      L (2) - Woo, PS Woo     MM (2) - Woo       MINI

    Check out https://www.grillingwithpapaj.com for some fun and more Grilling with Papa (incase you haven't gotten enough of me)

    Also, check out my YouTube Page
    https://www.youtube.com/c/grillingwithpapaj

    Follow me on Facebook 
    https://www.facebook.com/GrillingPapaJ/

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  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,537
    It's a fun little grill. No way worth their asking price in my opinion. Too little for too big of price
    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
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  • tenpenny_05
    tenpenny_05 Posts: 286
    Pretty good from what I remember.
    Kansas City, Kansas
    Second hand Medium BGE, Second hand Black Kamado Joe Classic, Second hand Weber Kettle, Second hand Weber Smokey Mountain
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  • JMCXL
    JMCXL Posts: 1,524
    WeberWho said:
    It's a fun little grill. No way worth their asking price in my opinion. Too little for too big of price
    I agree, would never pay asking price. used or blowout pricing
    Northern New Jersey
     XL - Woo2, AR      L (2) - Woo, PS Woo     MM (2) - Woo       MINI

    Check out https://www.grillingwithpapaj.com for some fun and more Grilling with Papa (incase you haven't gotten enough of me)

    Also, check out my YouTube Page
    https://www.youtube.com/c/grillingwithpapaj

    Follow me on Facebook 
    https://www.facebook.com/GrillingPapaJ/

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  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,537
    edited December 2017
    JMCXL said:
    WeberWho said:
    It's a fun little grill. No way worth their asking price in my opinion. Too little for too big of price
    I agree, would never pay asking price. used or blowout pricing
    I've bought a couple used Minis on Craigslist. One was brand new for $100. That's kind of what I think they're worth. Just my opinion though. They're fun but at a price 
    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
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  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    I had a mini until my dog broke it. At first I didn't care for it much and used the large mostly. But it got so I wound up using the mini for almost every cook. Temp control was an issue, for me anyway. Others have said they had no problem. I don't recall doing any lo n slo cooks though I know of many who do. My mini cooks, were mostly 400°-ish, which I was able to hold for the duration of most cooks.

    It's been gone for a while now. I finally discovered the Akorn Jr which I love (and at a sale price of $75). 14" grid, but about the same weight as a mini. I don't need portability except when I travel to Mom's. I always took the mini and it was great cooking for two. Lights and gets to temp fast, burns almost no lump. Now I take the Akorn and it has the same attributes. Plus, there's more room on it if other folks show up. 

    Burgers, steaks, whole chicken... whatever will fit on the grid.

    Do a YouTube search for @Spring Chickens  Magic Mini Moments. I think there are seven slideshows.

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

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  • Jupiter Jim
    Jupiter Jim Posts: 3,351
    I have 3 large, 1 small, 1 mini max, 1 mini and have had 2 medium eggs, cooked on xl's at eggfest and been egging for 10 years+. The mini is an awesome egg it's not a low and slow egg in any way, it will cook 4 big burgers, 4 big pork chops 4 steaks, 2 pork tenderloins. It's small and very easy to move around, only about 40#, the mini max is a bear to move for one person. I call the mini my mean green grilling machine. Temp control is nothing like the bigger egg's and one should not think that an egg that small would do so because it's small! I will say for sure that it will cook a lot more than you think! I got my mini from a dear egger friend that won it at an eggfest many years ago, we named her Piglet would never think of selling her. All of the BGE'S are great they all perform a little different so one shouldn't expect the same performance from one to another. Personally more eggs are better than less eggs if I had the $$$ and space I would have every size. Hope this helps Jim 

    I'm only hungry when I'm awake!

    Okeechobee FL. Winter

    West Jefferson NC Summer

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  • JMCXL
    JMCXL Posts: 1,524
    Carolina Q said:
    I had a mini until my dog broke it...

    Thanks for the comment, think I will wait till I see one on Craigslist and snatch it up.
    Northern New Jersey
     XL - Woo2, AR      L (2) - Woo, PS Woo     MM (2) - Woo       MINI

    Check out https://www.grillingwithpapaj.com for some fun and more Grilling with Papa (incase you haven't gotten enough of me)

    Also, check out my YouTube Page
    https://www.youtube.com/c/grillingwithpapaj

    Follow me on Facebook 
    https://www.facebook.com/GrillingPapaJ/

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  • JMCXL
    JMCXL Posts: 1,524
    Jupiter Jim said:
    I have 3 large, 1 small, 1 mini...

    Thanks Jim (Think I ran into you at Last years Butt Blast).  I agree each egg cooks a little differently.  Hope to find one one craigslist and add it to the family 
    Northern New Jersey
     XL - Woo2, AR      L (2) - Woo, PS Woo     MM (2) - Woo       MINI

    Check out https://www.grillingwithpapaj.com for some fun and more Grilling with Papa (incase you haven't gotten enough of me)

    Also, check out my YouTube Page
    https://www.youtube.com/c/grillingwithpapaj

    Follow me on Facebook 
    https://www.facebook.com/GrillingPapaJ/

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  • Lit
    Lit Posts: 9,053
    JMCXL said:
    Carolina Q said:
    I had a mini until my dog broke it...

    Thanks for the comment, think I will wait till I see one on Craigslist and snatch it up.
    Waiting on a used egg isn’t worth the hassle or the risk of parts cracking. My mini base already cracked once and it’s only 2-3 years old. I’m sure they charge $150 plus for a replacement base so even if I got a used one for $100 I’d be close to new cost already and only have a warranty on the base.
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  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    Joseph Heller was right. Catch-22. A new mini is ridiculously priced. A used one will cost a fortune when you have to start replacing parts. As for Craigslist, I have yet to see one there. Still, it's a nice little cooker!

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

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  • Jupiter Jim
    Jupiter Jim Posts: 3,351
    Lit said:
    JMCXL said:
    Carolina Q said:
    I had a mini until my dog broke it...

    Thanks for the comment, think I will wait till I see one on Craigslist and snatch it up.
    Waiting on a used egg isn’t worth the hassle or the risk of parts cracking. My mini base already cracked once and it’s only 2-3 years old. I’m sure they charge $150 plus for a replacement base so even if I got a used one for $100 I’d be close to new cost already and only have a warranty on the base.
    No big deal my base has had a crack for 2 years and I have the new base but Piglet still works just fine so no need to worry about parts. Cracks are really not that big of a deal and I just don't understand all the concern about them, I'm betting that many of us worry less about the needed maintenance on our cars, homes than our BGE.

    I'm only hungry when I'm awake!

    Okeechobee FL. Winter

    West Jefferson NC Summer

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  • Lit
    Lit Posts: 9,053
    Jupiter Jim said:
    Lit said:
    JMCXL said:
    Carolina Q said:
    I had a mini until my dog broke it...

    Thanks for the comment, think I will wait till I see one on Craigslist and snatch it up.
    Waiting on a used egg isn’t worth the hassle or the risk of parts cracking. My mini base already cracked once and it’s only 2-3 years old. I’m sure they charge $150 plus for a replacement base so even if I got a used one for $100 I’d be close to new cost already and only have a warranty on the base.
    No big deal my base has had a crack for 2 years and I have the new base but Piglet still works just fine so no need to worry about parts. Cracks are really not that big of a deal and I just don't understand all the concern about them, I'm betting that many of us worry less about the needed maintenance on our cars, homes than our BGE.
    I like to have no cracks in my eggs. Just a personal opinion I guess.
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  • sheetmetalpete
    sheetmetalpete Posts: 280
    Love my Mini.  Have been doing bigger cooks lately on the Large but I will bring it out this weekend a couple times.  

    It travels well too - for an Egg, that is.  Mine has a lot of miles on it. 
    Glencoe, Minnesota
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  • chuckytheegghead
    chuckytheegghead Posts: 1,201
    Love my Mini as well. Get the carrier and it’s quite easy to transport. Gets up to temp really quickly and can also do low and slow. It’s only money,make it happen. You won’t be disappointed. 
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  • R2Egg2Q
    R2Egg2Q Posts: 2,137
    I love our Mini.  I probably wouldn’t have bought it at full price but we won it cooking at an Eggfest which makes it a little more special to me.  It gets to temp fast, is pretty portable, and is great for midweek cooks for my family of 2.  Temp control on mine has been easy.

    Not my first choice for low & slow but it can be done with the obvious limitation being its small size.  Here’s a small butt cook on mine: http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1170011/mini-butt-without-ceramic-stone-or-ps#latest

    As others have said, it’s really efficient on the lump.

    XL, Large, Small, Mini Eggs, M&M BBQ Texas Smoke King, Shirley Fabrication 24x36 Patio, Humphrey's Weekender, Karubecue C-60, MAK 1-Star General, Hasty Bake Gourmet, Santa Maria Grill, Webers: 14" WSM, 22.5" OTG, 22.5" Kettle Premium, WGA Charcoal

    Bay Area, CA
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  • chuckytheegghead
    chuckytheegghead Posts: 1,201
    Yeah, the lump efficiency is crazy too. I also forget about that until I use it for a while. A bag of charcoal seemingly lasts forever. The biggest “complaint “ is that some of the charcoal pieces are too big!
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  • northGAcock
    northGAcock Posts: 15,173
    edited December 2017
    JMCXL said:
    Carolina Q said:
    I had a mini until my dog broke it...

    Thanks for the comment, think I will wait till I see one on Craigslist and snatch it up.
    Good luck. I been looking for a couple of years......nothing.
    Ellijay GA with a Medium & MiniMax

    Well, I married me a wife, she's been trouble all my life,
    Run me out in the cold rain and snow
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  • Hotch
    Hotch Posts: 3,564
    Do a search on Youtube for:
    Magic Mini Moments
    And you will find the vids that @Spring Chicken made of the cooks on a Mini!!

    Large BGE, MiniMAX BGE, 2 Mini BGE's, R&V Fryer, 36" Blackstone Griddle, Camp Chef Dual Burner 40K BTU Stove
    BGE Chiminea
    Prosper, TX
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  • northGAcock
    northGAcock Posts: 15,173
    Hotch said:
    Do a search on Youtube for:
    Magic Mini Moments
    And you will find the vids that @Spring Chicken made of the cooks on a Mini!!

    I miss his video's. 
    Ellijay GA with a Medium & MiniMax

    Well, I married me a wife, she's been trouble all my life,
    Run me out in the cold rain and snow
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