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Why no love for the small Egg?

TEXASBGE2018
TEXASBGE2018 Posts: 3,831
in EggHead Forum

I've noticed so many people comment about loving their Mini or MM Egg. It got me wondering, why no love for the small egg? My dealer said they barely even sell any so they don't keep them in stock. This surprises me because the grate size is the same as the MM. The only difference I see is that the small is deeper so therefore there should be less likelihood of flare ups. It appears its around 65lbs so isn't it actually lighter than the MM? I would think the added depth would be a big plus over the shallow MM. So is the entire reason people love the MM over the small that the MM comes with a handled carrier? I also don't understand the love for the mini egg. I looked at one in the store and it feels like a novelty to me. Those of you that have a mini egg. What do you cook on them that you think makes it worth the $300 or so dollars that it costs. Thoughts....


Rockwall, Tx    LBGE, Minimax, 22" Blackstone, Pizza Party Bollore. Cast Iron Hoarder.

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Comments

  • Botch
    Botch Posts: 17,380
    I chose my Small over the Mini because, even though I'm just cooking for one or two, the Mini was just too small (couldn't do 2 avg steaks).
    The Minimax wasn't out yet when I bought my Small, so looking forward to seeing its advantages.  

    "Dumplings are just noodles that have already eaten"   - Jon Kung

    Ogden, UT, USA


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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,597
    my small took too long to get hot, and never would get over about 700 degrees.  two dozen wings cooked on visions knockoff mini ;)  they were on sale for 100 bucks one year. 

    Image result for wings fishlessman

    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • mEGG_My_Day
    mEGG_My_Day Posts: 1,661
    edited July 2018
    I have a small and I liked it OK for many years.  I then added the Woo and stone from CGS and now I love the small.  The Woo/stone was a game changer for me.  I have not cooked on a MM, so I can not comment on it.  They didn't make the MM back when I bought the small, so it wasn't an option.

    If you do want to move it around, I think the MM would be much easier.  I do not consider the Small to be portable.

    Edit - I agree with others about airflow and temp.  It takes much longer to get my small up to temp than it does my large.  I can get it over 700 though, which is plenty high enough for my needs.
    Memphis, TN 

    LBGE, 2 SBGE, Hasty-Bake Gourmet
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  • Srf_in_Dfw
    Srf_in_Dfw Posts: 42
    I have not used a small, but I have a large and MM. Although I wouldn't call it "easily" portable, it's manageable if two grab handle. I took it on my family's week vacation to FL this year and it was just a working machine. I think we used it every single day. 8lb pork butt smoked for 6 hrs no problem. Grilled chicken/steak came out perfectly. My friend is a trained chef and was amazed at its versatility and performance. I use it quite often at home too. It's gets to temp super quick (I use a looflighter) and just goes to work. 
    LBGE, Minimax

    Dallas, TX
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  • R2Egg2Q
    R2Egg2Q Posts: 2,137
    I believe the SBGE is about 80 lbs and a little heavier than the MM.  I like the added depth of a small but the airflow on it isn’t as aggressive as a Mini or MM and although this can be good for a low & slow cook it isn’t great if you want a high heat cook.  My Small can only reach a high of about 500-550 degrees max where I believe the MM can go hotter.  Some folks with Smalls can’t reach 500.

    I usually cook for 2 and either Mini or Small works pretty well.  My Mini can rocket up to high temps much faster than my Small.  Admittedly I told my wife we would never buy a Mini shortly after we got a Small.  I won my Mini cooking at an Eggfest and enjoy using it but I would have had a hard time buying one.
    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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  • Photo Egg
    Photo Egg Posts: 12,137
    Really like my Smalls. One for travel and one I leave at home.
    I do have a Kick Ash and CGS Woo for both.
    I start with Mapp torch so getting it up to medium temps for grilling is good. 
    For me, the small has more versatility with taller base. But it is a little heavier than MM.
    Rarely use my Mini but it does get to sear temps faster, as does the MM.
    Thank you,
    Darian

    Galveston Texas
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  • smbishop
    smbishop Posts: 3,061
    Love my Small, use it all the time.  I also have the Kick Ash and CGS Woo.  It is a great compliment to the large and use it all the time.  I have never had a problem getting to temp.
    Southlake, TX and Cowhouse Creek - King, TX.  2 Large, 1 Small and a lot of Eggcessories.
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  • blasting
    blasting Posts: 6,262

    I've had a small, but it wasn't for me.  I really disliked being cramped for space, and got rid of it pretty quick.  Medium is my choice for a daily driver, and a good compliment to a larger egg.


    Phoenix 
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  • Eoin
    Eoin Posts: 4,304
    BGE UK doesn't stock the Small, so the MMX was an easy choice.
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  • JRWhitee
    JRWhitee Posts: 5,678
    DMW said:
    I'm a big fan of the Small.
    I got that...LOL
                                                                
    _________________________________________________
    Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story!
    Large BGE 2006, Mini Max 2014, 36" Blackstone, Anova Sous Vide
    Green Man Group 
    Johns Creek, Georgia
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  • JRWhitee
    JRWhitee Posts: 5,678
    I liked my small but it was cumbersome to travel with, sold it and bought the MiniMax. Much easier to take on trips. 
                                                                
    _________________________________________________
    Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story!
    Large BGE 2006, Mini Max 2014, 36" Blackstone, Anova Sous Vide
    Green Man Group 
    Johns Creek, Georgia
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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,457
    I have long stated my love for my Small! Of my 4 eggs my small is my go-to, work-horse egg which gets at least 2/3rds of all my cooks! As has been pointed out here before and again in this thread - there must be something strange or quirky as some can't get them hot, but others of us have no problem. Just last Saturday I cranked my small to 750º with no issues at all. I have often wondered if the naysayers expect it to get rip roaring hot too soon.
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • cookingdude555
    cookingdude555 Posts: 3,196
    edited July 2018
    I liked the small, but I sold it when I bought the mini max. It was a fun egg to cook on and it’s more versatile than the mini max. But it has temp issues. I’ve used eggs for a decade now and know what I’m doing. That small has temp issues. I fixed it by plugging the excess space between the fire ring and the base with an aluminum foil “rope”. This forced the air up through the lump better. I decided it was too finicky and sold it for $250, and got a new MM for the same price from someone else that had never used it. That was a year ago. I just picked up a new kamado joe jr for $200 from someone on Facebook, and it has the exact dimensions of the small, so I guess I am back in the “small” business again. Although I don’t get it until Christmas when my wife finds out that Santa brought it for me. I may swap the domes from my MM and KJjr and make two Frankenstein KJ/BGEs. 

    Regarding the mini, I have one of those too. It’s a novelty, I am glad that I have it. Not sure I would buy one at today’s prices tho. 
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  • Gulfcoastguy
    Gulfcoastguy Posts: 7,339
    Does that mean a Medium is a Biggie Smalls?
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  • Canugghead
    Canugghead Posts: 13,722
    Although Small has same cooking grid size as MMX, its lump grate is much smaller, imo that could be a reason for the slow-to-heat-up issue some eggers complain of.  I also found the air gap around the platesetter too narrow.  
    canuckland
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  • cookingdude555
    cookingdude555 Posts: 3,196
    edited July 2018
    Canugghead said:
    Although Small has same cooking grid size as MMX, its lump grate is much smaller, imo that could be a reason for the slow-to-heat-up issue some eggers complain of.  I also found the air gap around the platesetter too narrow.  
    Agreed. I forgot that when before I sold my small I put a kick ash basket from the mini max on the small and it basically “fixed” it. 

    found the link:

    https://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1206536/my-small-is-a-mini-max-cross-dresser
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  • Killit_and_Grillit
    Killit_and_Grillit Posts: 4,326
    If all my Egg purchases weren’t post cocktail family decisions at charity auctions I probably would have designed them with more practical applications. 

    That being said when my MM is out and not stored under a work table I really like it. But I don’t travel with it like I thought I would. If I would have had the option I probably would have gotten a small. (After realizing how much charcoal my Large Eggs burn up and how often I don’t use that much space for many cooks)

    "Brought to you by bourbon, bacon, and a series of questionable life decisions."

    South of Nashville, TN

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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,457
    Canugghead said:
    Although Small has same cooking grid size as MMX, its lump grate is much smaller, imo that could be a reason for the slow-to-heat-up issue some eggers complain of.  I also found the air gap around the platesetter too narrow.  
    Perhaps you have hit upon the mystery. I use my Small with a KAB and I do shake the ash free before every cook. As we know a hot temp needs air and fuel (lump). And lastly I have yet to buy a PS for my small.
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • unoriginalusername
    unoriginalusername Posts: 1,146
    I like my MM, have the high que grate and KAB and Smokeware cap so no airflow issues. 

    Just waiting for Smokeware to solve the Grid extender issue not fitting and soon I will have two levels 
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  • DMW
    DMW Posts: 13,836
    Jeremiah said:
    Love my small. Modified a minimax carrier for it, and it’s now my camping egg. Still gotta get a handle made though. 
    Of course you did...
    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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  • Killit_and_Grillit
    Killit_and_Grillit Posts: 4,326
    Jeremiah said:
    Love my small. Modified a minimax carrier for it, and it’s now my camping egg. Still gotta get a handle made though. 
    Now that’s what’s up

    "Brought to you by bourbon, bacon, and a series of questionable life decisions."

    South of Nashville, TN

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  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 19,179
    I’ve looked at them a hundred times, but I can’t ever envision me owning an egg smaller than my medium. I like the real estate. No replacement for displacement. 
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  • unoriginalusername
    unoriginalusername Posts: 1,146
    Jeremiah said:
    Love my small. Modified a minimax carrier for it, and it’s now my camping egg. Still gotta get a handle made though. 
    Dude that’s amazing 
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  • unoriginalusername
    unoriginalusername Posts: 1,146
    DoubleEgger said:
    I’ve looked at them a hundred times, but I can’t ever envision me owning an egg smaller than my medium. I like the real estate. No replacement for displacement. 
    That’s why you get a second egg like a large or xl 
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  • Jeremiah
    Jeremiah Posts: 6,412
    unoriginalusername said:
    Jeremiah said:
    Love my small. Modified a minimax carrier for it, and it’s now my camping egg. Still gotta get a handle made though. 
    Dude that’s amazing 
    It was just some longer metal bars, now the eggcarten, that’s cool. 
    Slumming it in Aiken, SC. 
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  • lousubcap
    lousubcap Posts: 36,809
    Another vote for the SBGE but I cannot compare to the MM.  I went with the Hi-Que grate and CGS woo and stone based on @DMW's recommendation almost 5 years ago and have never looked back.  It is a work-horse and can easily handle an 8-10 hr L&S cook.  No temp control issues and a great place to stock with prior burned lump from the LBGE.  FWIW-
    Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period. CHEETO (aka Agent Orange) makes Nixon look like a saint.  
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  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 19,179
    unoriginalusername said:
    DoubleEgger said:
    I’ve looked at them a hundred times, but I can’t ever envision me owning an egg smaller than my medium. I like the real estate. No replacement for displacement. 
    That’s why you get a second egg like a large or xl 
    Yup. I have a medium and XL. Went to go look at the mini max when they first came out. Tried to lift it and quickly realized that it’s not really portable. Bought a medium and never looked back. 
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