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The mini is new again

cookingdude555
cookingdude555 Posts: 3,196
in EggHead Forum
About 18 months ago I finally submitted a warranty claim for my mini base, firebox, and firering. They are all cracked in varying degrees, and the mini is over ten years old. When I got it it even had the ceramic fire grate. I had upgraded the bands, added a second fire ring for a raised grid, and bought the carrier. Last month I opened the warranty items to install them and freshen the mini up. I decided to leave the old girl in it’s kind of broken down, and original ceramic state. I called headquarters, ordered a new dome for $124 shipped, and bought the remaining bits from my dealer. I just couldn’t bear to throw out the old parts, so the old mini is headed to work to be a desk ornament, and occasional grill. The smoke leaks out the bottom when I use it, but it still functions. I’m glad I upgraded the parts as the new mini has proper notches for the platesetter that didn’t work on my old mini, and overall it looks like everything fits better. 

The newer mini is a little bigger, and the bands fit much better with the bigger dome. The mini is a pretty pointless grill, but it’s a fun grill nonetheless. 


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Comments

  • tenpenny_05
    tenpenny_05 Posts: 286
    edited November 2018
    I have owned two minis and I agree that they are pointless grills. But careful saying that out loud around here :)
    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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  • cookingdude555
    cookingdude555 Posts: 3,196
    @tenpenny_05, haha. I think we’re all comfortable enough in our craziness with these hunks of tile to laugh at how silly the hobby is. If anyone offered me current retail to take my mini back (I swear it was like $99 when I bought it), it would be a strong no. It’s silly, like a sports car is silly. Not practical, but a blast. 
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  • tenpenny_05
    tenpenny_05 Posts: 286
    Yea, we are all a little crazy. I had the old model and sold it. Then I missed it and lucked into an almost unused new model. Had it for awhile and realized every cook on it was a compromise of some kind, so I sold it. Now I miss it again haha
    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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  • cookingdude555
    cookingdude555 Posts: 3,196
    @tenpenny_05, this is the universe telling you to head to your dealer again. Take the plunge. 
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  • cookingdude555
    cookingdude555 Posts: 3,196
    Deploying new code at work tonight so we’re working overnight. I decided to bring it tonight. Retiring the old egg desk ornament from duty ..



    It it really makes the mini look like a giant. 
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  • Mickey
    Mickey Posts: 19,768
    How can you say pointless. We sent one to Afghanistan and it would feed a Company of 21 soldiers (very happy soldiers). 
    I have 5 Eggs on my patio and if had to get rid of 4 today only the Mini would remain. 
    Sorry but I don't see pointless. 
    Salado TX & 30A  FL: Egg Family: 3 Large and a very well used Mini, added a Mini Max when they came out (I'm good for now). Just given a Mini to add to the herd. 

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  • Photo Egg
    Photo Egg Posts: 12,137
    Mickey said:
    How can you say pointless. We sent one to Afghanistan and it would feed a Company of 21 soldiers (very happy soldiers). 
    I have 5 Eggs on my patio and if had to get rid of 4 today only the Mini would remain. 
    Sorry but I don't see pointless. 
    Relax...
    Thank you,
    Darian

    Galveston Texas
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  • cookingdude555
    cookingdude555 Posts: 3,196
    Mickey said:
    How can you say pointless. We sent one to Afghanistan and it would feed a Company of 21 soldiers (very happy soldiers). 
    I have 5 Eggs on my patio and if had to get rid of 4 today only the Mini would remain. 
    Sorry but I don't see pointless. 
    @mickey, see my other posts in the thread. I wouldn’t give mine up either. In fact, I have two now :). 
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  • HoustonEgger
    HoustonEgger Posts: 616
    I'm on the mini train too - don't use it often, but it's a fun little toy and I wouldn't give it up
    Formerly of Houston, TX - Now Located in Bastrop, TX
    I work in the 'que business now (since 2017)

    6 Eggs: (1) XL, (2) Large, (1) Small, (1) Minimax & (1) Mini - Egging since 2007
    Also recently gained: (1) Gas Thing (came with the house), (1) 36" Blackstone Griddle & (1) Pitts & Spitts Pellet Smoker
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,580
    i just like the fact that a mini can cook 2 dozen wings or an overnight brisket pastrami point for 22 cents worth of lump =) and then use the large for the real cooks
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • YukonRon
    YukonRon Posts: 17,261
    I think that was a minimax. I call the mMX "the mini" too frequently, I suppose, due to also having an XL, just as a reference.
    "Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber

    XL and MM
    Louisville, Kentucky
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  • SGH
    SGH Posts: 28,988
    edited November 2018
    I happen to really like the little mini. It makes an excellent “grill”. It actually “grills” better than any of the larger eggs. As with most things, it has its limitations. In this case it happens to be capacity. 
    But with that said, all cookers, smokers and grills have their particular limitations or short comings. 
    Here is an example. This is a very large brisket that will not fit on my large BGE. So in this scenario the large, medium, small and min max is just as useless as the mini. 

    My point is simple. The mini is a great little rig for somethings. However it is not a do all end all rig. If it fills a particular need for you, then buy it. If it does not, then don’t buy it. I will always have one around to grill with and for cooking small items. 

    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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  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    Hellava desk ornament for sure. Get a mini exhaust above your desk and you're in business :sunglasses:
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,580
    edited November 2018
    SGH said:
    I happen to really like the little mini. It makes an excellent “grill”.  It actually “grills” better than any of the larger eggs. As with most things, it has its limitations. In this case it happens to be capacity. 
    But with that said, all cookers, smokers and grills have their particular limitations or short comings. 
    Here is an example. This is a very large brisket that will not fit on my large BGE. So in this scenario the large, medium, small and min max is just as useless as the mini. 

    My point is simple. The mini is a great little rig for somethings. However it is not a do all end all rig. If it fills a particular need for you, then buy it. If it does not, then don’t buy it. I will always have one around to grill with and for cooking small items. 
    i believe i could cook that in a large, its a whole lot smaller than a 62 pound pig ;)
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,524
    The mini is a fun little grill. $400 is way overpriced in my opinion. They'd sell a whole lot more if they dropped it down a Benjamin or two. That's closer to what I think they're worth personally. 
    "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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  • TEXASBGE2018
    TEXASBGE2018 Posts: 3,831
    WeberWho said:
    The mini is a fun little grill. $400 is way overpriced in my opinion. They'd sell a whole lot more if they dropped it down a Benjamin or two. That's closer to what I think they're worth personally. 

    I would totally buy 1 if they were $200 but $400 nope. I think the mini max should run about $300-$350 also.


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

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  • tenpenny_05
    tenpenny_05 Posts: 286

    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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  • tenpenny_05
    tenpenny_05 Posts: 286
    Mickey said:
    How can you say pointless. We sent one to Afghanistan and it would feed a Company of 21 soldiers (very happy soldiers). 
    I have 5 Eggs on my patio and if had to get rid of 4 today only the Mini would remain. 
    Sorry but I don't see pointless. 
    Shipping to Afghanistan would have been cheaper and you could have cooked for more on a weber.  I have a hard time believing you can cook for 21 on a mini, unless the last person ate an hour after the first. You are hard pressed to get two hamburger patties on a mini.
    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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  • stlcharcoal
    stlcharcoal Posts: 4,759
    tenpenny_05 said:
    Mickey said:
    How can you say pointless. We sent one to Afghanistan and it would feed a Company of 21 soldiers (very happy soldiers). 
    I have 5 Eggs on my patio and if had to get rid of 4 today only the Mini would remain. 
    Sorry but I don't see pointless. 
    Shipping to Afghanistan would have been cheaper and you could have cooked for more on a weber.  I have a hard time believing you can cook for 21 on a mini, unless the last person ate an hour after the first. You are hard pressed to get two hamburger patties on a mini.
    It was in a cargo container full of other stuff, so weight and shipping wasn't an issue.

    One of them came through me.....a MiniMax......and I believe BGE kicked in another MiniMax.  @Killit_and_Grillit and  @The_Stache can confirm on that second one.
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  • SGH
    SGH Posts: 28,988
    I like my mini so much that I bought a matching hauler for it. 

    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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  • stv8r
    stv8r Posts: 1,127

    Definitely NOT pointless!   I LOVE my mini!!  Perfect when cooking for one or two
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  • stlcharcoal
    stlcharcoal Posts: 4,759
    My parents had a Mini for a while.  They never used it and my dad told me to sell it on craigslist.  I told he should keep it for an urn.....otherwise he'd end up in a Folgers can like Donny did in The Big Lebowski.
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  • cookingdude555
    cookingdude555 Posts: 3,196
    That’s funny @stlcharcoal. Ive had several people ask me if the “micro” egg on my desk was an urn. Having the real egg the last few days has helped spread the gospel. Lot of questions. We have some grills at work to cook for parties and such already, but they aren’t eggs. 


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  • SaintJohnsEgger
    SaintJohnsEgger Posts: 1,826
    SGH said:
    I like my mini so much that I bought a matching hauler for it. 

    Looks like you have a matching garbage can in the background too.
    Marshall in Beautiful Fruit Cove, FL.
    MiniMax 04/17
    Unofficial BGE MiniMax Evangelist
    Facebook Big Green Egg MiniMax Owners Group


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  • cookingdude555
    cookingdude555 Posts: 3,196
    the more important question is whether there is a shaver to match it.  who cares about the tractor.
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  • YEMTrey
    YEMTrey Posts: 6,835
    If only I had @SGH type money.  :s:s:s
    Steve 
    XL, Mini Max, and a 22" Blackstone in Cincinnati, Ohio
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  • SGH
    SGH Posts: 28,988
    edited November 2018
    YEMTrey said:
    If only I had @SGH type money.  :s:s:s
    You would starve to death my friend. 

    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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