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Minimax, Small, or Medium?
Calmdowneight
Posts: 25
I own an XL egg and am looking at possibly expanding in the future to a smaller grill, likely used for saving $. I want to be able to use it for quick cooks in the evening and saving lump when just grilling. I don’t like the gas Weber I have so that option is out. Would prefer to stick with the green grill and no other. What do y’all think? Family of 3-4 BTW (one is close to flying the coup:(
Comments
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If you’re not looking for portability, I would go with a Medium."I've made a note never to piss you two off." - Stike
"The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand." - Deep Throat -
I cook for four fairly often on my small and depending on the meal sometimes I will do it on the mini.-----------------------------------------analyze adapt overcome2008 -Large BGE. 2013- Small BGE and 2015 - Mini. Henderson, Ky.
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JohnInCarolina that’s what I was leaning toward. Thanks
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Mattman3969 do they make a platesetter for the small?
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It's the same for the small and mini max.
Steve
XL, Mini Max, and a 22" Blackstone in Cincinnati, Ohio -
Buying a second egg to save money on lump, is like buying a second car to save on gas. You're not saving in the long run. But if you're just using as an excuse with the wife get a second egg, then go for it!
So take that out of your equation. The charcoal usage/savings is really not that much, and its minimal between a mmx, small, and medium.
I would suggest either a minimax for the portability, or a large for all the accessories and extra room. I learned to cook on my dad's medium, then had my own for 10 yrs. After getting a large, it was always an awkward size. Truth be told, I'm not a fan of the xl, I'd rather have two larges over a large and xl. -
Can one really trust thoughts on using less charcoal from a charcoal manufacturer?
“Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.” ― Philip K. Diçk -
I just thought that saving some money on charcoal over firing the XL could be an added benefit but the reason for buying it is so that I will cook more often, it takes a lot of time and fuel to heat up an extra large if a man only wants to grill a couple Brats or chops. I already have the extra large so a large probably wouldn’t do me much good. I do see where you’re coming from though!stlcharcoal said:Buying a second egg to save money on lump, is like buying a second car to save on gas. You're not saving in the long run. But if you're just using as an excuse with the wife get a second egg, then go for it!
So take that out of your equation. The charcoal usage/savings is really not that much, and its minimal between a mmx, small, and medium.
I would suggest either a minimax for the portability, or a large for all the accessories and extra room. I learned to cook on my dad's medium, then had my own for 10 yrs. After getting a large, it was always an awkward size. Truth be told, I'm not a fan of the xl, I'd rather have two larges over a large and xl. -
Great advice above. But I do so much grilling.stlcharcoal said:Buying a second egg to save money on lump, is like buying a second car to save on gas. You're not saving in the long run. But if you're just using as an excuse with the wife get a second egg, then go for it!
So take that out of your equation. The charcoal usage/savings is really not that much, and its minimal between a mmx, small, and medium.
I would suggest either a minimax for the portability, or a large for all the accessories and extra room. I learned to cook on my dad's medium, then had my own for 10 yrs. After getting a large, it was always an awkward size. Truth be told, I'm not a fan of the xl, I'd rather have two larges over a large and xl.
I would much rather cook on 1 XL then 2 Large Eggs.
Thank you,DarianGalveston Texas -
I use my XL a lot, but thought something smaller wood heat up / cool down quicker with less fuel consumption. Am I wrong in this assumption? A large wouldn’t do me any good, I’m thinking medium or smaller for quick cooks of brats, burgers, steaks, etc... The XL is great for large meals but 3 brats or steaks seems like a waste at times.
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Maybe not!HeavyG said:Can one really trust thoughts on using less charcoal from a charcoal manufacturer? -
I thought the exact same thing, I also have a XL and bought a mini.. don't really use the mini anymore since I found these angle brackets at the fine folks at CGS:
https://ceramicgrillstore.com/collections/big-green-egg-xl-accessories-by-ceramic-grill-store/products/xl-ang-l-brackets-pair-bge
So last night I cooked a pork butt with a full load of Rockwood, tonight I'm cooking steaks, I took the leftover charcoal from last night and moved it to the side and put the angles up.... Truth be told with the leftover lump from tonight I can easily cook another time. Another thing to consider is by doing it this way you skip the VOC cookoff time. I tend to agree with @stlcharcoal and his thoughts, although I'm a big fan of the XL... eh... he probably drinks Pepsi though... Hey it's Friday, I have to throw one jab in Chicago, IL BGE XL BGE Mini Webber Charcoal / Elmhurst, IL -
My medium was the best grill I ever had. Unfortunately I didn't realize that until after I sold it. I love my KJ but the medium was absolutely perfect for about 90% of the cooks I do.Kansas City, KansasSecond hand Medium BGE, Second hand Black Kamado Joe Classic, Second hand Weber Kettle, Second hand Weber Smokey Mountain
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My favorite egg to cook on is my small. Wouldn't be without one"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 -
Small
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LBGE,SBGE, and a Mini makes three......Sweet home Alabama........ Stay thirsty my friends .
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A Small or Mini Max would be great for smaller cooks. I do many cooks on my Small.Calmdowneight said:I use my XL a lot, but thought something smaller wood heat up / cool down quicker with less fuel consumption. Am I wrong in this assumption? A large wouldn’t do me any good, I’m thinking medium or smaller for quick cooks of brats, burgers, steaks, etc... The XL is great for large meals but 3 brats or steaks seems like a waste at times.
Thank you,DarianGalveston Texas -
Love my Small and Large combo...Southlake, TX and Cowhouse Creek - King, TX. 2 Large, 1 Small and a lot of Eggcessories.
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They do but I would go with the Woo and a Stone from Ceramic Grill Works. You can get a raised and an indirect option with the WooCalmdowneight said:-----------------------------------------analyze adapt overcome2008 -Large BGE. 2013- Small BGE and 2015 - Mini. Henderson, Ky. -
I use my Small way more than my Large. But there are only two of us in my house. I also recommend the CGS woo and stone.Memphis, TN
LBGE, 2 SBGE, Hasty-Bake Gourmet -
mEGG_My_Day said:I use my Small way more than my Large. But there are only two of us in my house. I also recommend the CGS woo and stone.
The Woo is a great addition to the Small, indirect or directThank you,DarianGalveston Texas -
Good info!Mattman3969 said:
They do but I would go with the Woo and a Stone from Ceramic Grill Works. You can get a raised and an indirect option with the Woo!stlcharcoal said:Calmdowneight said:Mattman3969 do they make a platesetter for the small?Buying a second egg to save money on lump, is like buying a second car to save on gas. You're not saving in the long run. But if you're just using as an excuse with the wife get a second egg, then go for it!
So take that out of your equation. The charcoal usage/savings is really not that much, and its minimal between a mmx, small, and medium.
I would suggest either a minimax for the portability, or a large for all the accessories and extra room. I learned to cook on my dad's medium, then had my own for 10 yrs. After getting a large, it was always an awkward size. Truth be told, I'm not a fan of the xl, I'd rather have two larges over a large and xl. -
Thanks!mEGG_My_Day said:I use my Small way more than my Large. But there are only two of us in my house. I also recommend the CGS woo and stone. -
That looks delicious!Photo Egg said: -
What's your deck/patio/table situation?
I just had a customer buy the minimax over a small or Joe Jr. because he wanted to set it on top of a table. The Joe Jr would either sit too low on the ground, or too high on the table, and he didn't want to mess with a seperate nest for a small. So the MiniMax was the way to go since it was the perfect height, and he could just set it on the ground if he needed table space. Plus if you ever want to take it along, the MMX is easier than the Joe Jr or Small for transport.
As someone else said, get the CGS Woo set up with stone for the small or minimax........the plate setter for these kind of sucks. Woo gives you a lot of options, especially for raised direct. -
Hahaha.....Yeah man, buy the 2XL and only use it with the dome open.HeavyG said:Can one really trust thoughts on using less charcoal from a charcoal manufacturer?
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Lol, that would warm a house!stlcharcoal said:Hahaha.....Yeah man, buy the 2XL and only use it with the dome open. -
I have a concrete pad in a covered open air shed and plan to build in the grills and a mini fridge with a gas burner or possibly A double dropped into an L shape approx. 4.5’ x 7’stlcharcoal said:What's your deck/patio/table situation?
I just had a customer buy the minimax over a small or Joe Jr. because he wanted to set it on top of a table. The Joe Jr would either sit too low on the ground, or too high on the table, and he didn't want to mess with a seperate nest for a small. So the MiniMax was the way to go since it was the perfect height, and he could just set it on the ground if he needed table space. Plus if you ever want to take it along, the MMX is easier than the Joe Jr or Small for transport.
As someone else said, get the CGS Woo set up with stone for the small or minimax........the plate setter for these kind of sucks. Woo gives you a lot of options, especially for raised direct. -
If you are planning and building around future grills, I’d get the small over the mini max (assuming you’re not taking it anywhere). Its more flexible, and has the same grid space. If you need portability, go mini max (actually even the mini), or just a Weber jumbo joe. Honestly tho, my medium is my favorite of the smaller eggs. I have each of the sizes (except 2XL), and I find more use cooking for my family of five over the years with the medium.
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Portability is not a requirement. I actually am thinking of doing a build in. I’m thinking small or medium, whatever I find the best deal on from a minimax to a medium would probably work then. I only have experience personally with an XL.cookingdude555 said:If you are planning and building around future grills, I’d get the small over the mini max (assuming you’re not taking it anywhere). Its more flexible, and has the same grid space. If you need portability, go mini max (actually even the mini), or just a Weber jumbo joe. Honestly tho, my medium is my favorite of the smaller eggs. I have each of the sizes (except 2XL), and I find more use cooking for my family of five over the years with the medium. -
Buy all three."Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber
XL and MM
Louisville, Kentucky
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