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Small or medium?

FlatsFisher
FlatsFisher Posts: 14
in EggHead Forum
I posted a month or two back about getting a joe jr to accompany my XL. Since then I have found once a week or so someone fire sales an egg on my local Facebook marketplace. I have been holding out trying to find a small BGE for $300 or so. I just found a medium for $350 with plate setter and pizza stone but needs a new grate. I know y’all are going to tell me to buy it but my concern is I’m starting to defeat my purpose - I wanted the small to heat up quicker than my XL and be more efficient at the smaller cooks like a steak or two. 

Any thoughts? Pull the trigger on this one or hold out for a small?
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Comments

  • JohnInCarolina
    JohnInCarolina Posts: 34,727
    Grab it.  People here love their medium Eggs.
    "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
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  • GrateEggspectations
    GrateEggspectations Posts: 11,589
    I’ve owned a Medium, Mini Max and Large. The Medium heated up crazy fast, was conservative on lump and had very ample grill space. I sold it a few years back and often miss it. It is often said that the Med is the best performer of the lineup and I have certainly found it to be the best that I have used to date. 
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  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,527
    For the same price as a used medium I'd go with the Joe Jr with a full warranty from Walmart.  The extra room would be nice with the medium but I'm not sure if it's worth the risk when you can get a lifetime warranty with the Joe Jr. I have a small BGE that is comparable to the Joe Jr and it's a fun grill. Perfect for smaller cooks. 

    https://www.walmart.com/ip/Kamado-Joe-Joe-Jr-13-5-inch-Charcoal-Grill-in-Blaze-Red/199978441

    "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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  • FlatsFisher
    FlatsFisher Posts: 14
    WeberWho said:
    For the same price as a used medium I'd go with the Joe Jr with a full warranty from Walmart.  The extra room would be nice with the medium but I'm not sure if it's worth the risk when you can get a lifetime warranty with the Joe Jr. I have a small BGE that is comparable to the Joe Jr and it's a fun grill. Perfect for smaller cooks. 

    https://www.walmart.com/ip/Kamado-Joe-Joe-Jr-13-5-inch-Charcoal-Grill-in-Blaze-Red/199978441

    My BGE dealer has never asked for proof of purchase on any of the warranty claims I’ve done
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  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,527
    FlatsFisher said:
    WeberWho said:
    For the same price as a used medium I'd go with the Joe Jr with a full warranty from Walmart.  The extra room would be nice with the medium but I'm not sure if it's worth the risk when you can get a lifetime warranty with the Joe Jr. I have a small BGE that is comparable to the Joe Jr and it's a fun grill. Perfect for smaller cooks. 

    https://www.walmart.com/ip/Kamado-Joe-Joe-Jr-13-5-inch-Charcoal-Grill-in-Blaze-Red/199978441

    My BGE dealer has never asked for proof of purchase on any of the warranty claims I’ve done

    I'm not sure where you're going with that?
    "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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  • cookingdude555
    cookingdude555 Posts: 3,196
    I own a small and a medium, and have owned a joe jr (have since sold). I highly recommend the medium over the other two. It’s a lump miser, but it’s heat control is amazing. It was my daily driver for many years when our kids were young. Having two teenage boys has pushed it aside somewhat as I end up making many more burgers than we have people to eat them now. 
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  • 4TheGrillOfIt
    4TheGrillOfIt Posts: 741
    I can only add that the small is my absolute favorite to use.   I think you should consider a new Egg just for the warranty and because you’ll probably end up suing it way more often than you ever imagined.  I use the small at least 10 to 1 over the XL, but most of the time it’s just my wife and me.
    XL BGE, Large BGE, Small BGE, Weber Summit NG                                                                                               
    Memphis  
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  • 6baluts
    6baluts Posts: 303
    I agree with most of the above I have 2 LBGE's, 1 MBGE and 1 SBGE and as far as the BGE's go the SBGE is the hangar queen of the herd and lately the MBGE has been the heavy lifter. I would say 7 out of 10 times I choose my Primo XL over either of my LBGE's.
    Grab the MBGE and don't look back.
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  • Photo Egg
    Photo Egg Posts: 12,137
    The only way I would buy a small over the medium is for travel. The medium does not burn much more than small and will heat up much faster because of larger lump grate and fire box. 
    Thank you,
    Darian

    Galveston Texas
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  • BikerBob
    BikerBob Posts: 284
    I own a medium at the winter place on the coast and a mini max at the mountain place (same size grid as small). I cook for only two people 90% of the time and find both to work well. Medium can cook the occasional large butt or even a bigger turkey. Mini max with its shallow fire box requires more frequent cleaning but it is less problem to clean than the medium. With a large already in the stable, the small should meet all your needs, it will certainly cook for two.
    Cooking on the coast
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  • FlatsFisher
    FlatsFisher Posts: 14
    Thanks for all the feedback. I sent her a counter offer and she’s thinking about it. They pop up every other week or so so if this one doesn’t pan out I’m sure I’ll find one. 
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  • Langner91
    Langner91 Posts: 2,120
    I always wanted a medium BGE....
    Clinton, Iowa
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  • JohnInCarolina
    JohnInCarolina Posts: 34,727
    Langner91 said:
    I always wanted a medium BGE....
    Really?  I had you more as always wanting a pony.
    "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
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  • Ozzie_Isaac
    Ozzie_Isaac Posts: 21,673
    Medium is the best egg.  I hope you snagged it.  It is like a little Porsche.  Heats up super quick, easy to control, and a lot of fun.

    I would rather light a candle than curse your darkness.

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  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,109
    I gave my medium away a few months ago to a poor friend.
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
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  • JohnInCarolina
    JohnInCarolina Posts: 34,727
    nolaegghead said:
    I gave my medium away a few months ago to a poor friend.
    Let me know if you have any thoughts about giving your Porsche away, because I am also poor.
    "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
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  • GrateEggspectations
    GrateEggspectations Posts: 11,589
    JohnInCarolina said:
    nolaegghead said:
    I gave my medium away a few months ago to a poor friend.
    Let me know if you have any thoughts about giving your Porsche away, because I am also poor.
    From the poorhouse to the Porschehouse. 

    (Sorry.)
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  • Mr1egg
    Mr1egg Posts: 431
    I have a medium and it’s the perfect size for me and my wife. I paid over 1k for it here in Canada and for 350 that’s just a steal of a price. Why not get a couple inches bigger for $50? You won’t regret it. 
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  • Gulfcoastguy
    Gulfcoastguy Posts: 7,335
    I used a medium as my only Egg for about 10 years with no complaints. I bought a large with one of the stimulus checks and passed my medium onto a relative going through a divorce who needed a distraction.
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  • Langner91
    Langner91 Posts: 2,120
    JohnInCarolina said:
    Langner91 said:
    I always wanted a medium BGE....
    Really?  I had you more as always wanting a pony.
    Had a pony.  Over-rated.

    I was actually *this close* to buying a "like new" medium from @badinfluence.  I should have pulled the trigger.  It would have made a great conversation piece.
    Clinton, Iowa
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  • Ozzie_Isaac
    Ozzie_Isaac Posts: 21,673
    Langner91 said:
    JohnInCarolina said:
    Langner91 said:
    I always wanted a medium BGE....
    Really?  I had you more as always wanting a pony.
    Had a pony.  Over-rated.

    I was actually *this close* to buying a "like new" medium from @badinfluence.  I should have pulled the trigger.  It would have made a great conversation piece.
    I have a Minimax from @badinfluence , He was a character, gone too soon.

    I would rather light a candle than curse your darkness.

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  • RyanStl
    RyanStl Posts: 1,050
    Photo Egg said:
    The only way I would buy a small over the medium is for travel. The medium does not burn much more than small and will heat up much faster because of larger lump grate and fire box. 
    I agree with this. Plus, if you want you can do a good size pork butt on the medium if that's the only thing you are cooking. I have an XL and a medium.  My neighbor has a small for taking to the lake. If not traveling I would stick with medium
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  • Langner91
    Langner91 Posts: 2,120
    Ozzie_Isaac said:
    Langner91 said:
    JohnInCarolina said:
    Langner91 said:
    I always wanted a medium BGE....
    Really?  I had you more as always wanting a pony.
    Had a pony.  Over-rated.

    I was actually *this close* to buying a "like new" medium from @badinfluence.  I should have pulled the trigger.  It would have made a great conversation piece.
    I have a Minimax from @badinfluence , He was a character, gone too soon.
    I wonder who ended up with his mediums?  The one I was trying to buy had only been used for bread.  I think he had two or three other mediums.

    I know where the Mr. Egghead is.



    I saw the XXL or 2XL (whichever it was) here on the forum.

    What a collection of eggs!
    Clinton, Iowa
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  • Ozzie_Isaac
    Ozzie_Isaac Posts: 21,673
    Langner91 said:
    Ozzie_Isaac said:
    Langner91 said:
    JohnInCarolina said:
    Langner91 said:
    I always wanted a medium BGE....
    Really?  I had you more as always wanting a pony.
    Had a pony.  Over-rated.

    I was actually *this close* to buying a "like new" medium from @badinfluence.  I should have pulled the trigger.  It would have made a great conversation piece.
    I have a Minimax from @badinfluence , He was a character, gone too soon.
    I wonder who ended up with his mediums?  The one I was trying to buy had only been used for bread.  I think he had two or three other mediums.

    I know where the Mr. Egghead is.



    I saw the XXL or 2XL (whichever it was) here on the forum.

    What a collection of eggs!
    His garage was better stocked than most dealers.  Not sure where all his eggs went, but at least 3 went to the Peoria area.

    I would rather light a candle than curse your darkness.

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  • FlatsFisher
    FlatsFisher Posts: 14
    The original medium fell through. Another one popped up and I got it cheaper. Has some rust on the nest and bands I’ll strip down and refinish. I think the medium will be exactly what I was looking for!! Thanks for the advice 
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  • Photo Egg
    Photo Egg Posts: 12,137
    FlatsFisher said:
    The original medium fell through. Another one popped up and I got it cheaper. Has some rust on the nest and bands I’ll strip down and refinish. I think the medium will be exactly what I was looking for!! Thanks for the advice 
    Great purchase. Look into getting a Woo Ring from Ceramic Grill Store.
    Thank you,
    Darian

    Galveston Texas
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