Hello Everyone!
I do not have a BGE yet, but I've been looking at possibly adding a BGE MiniMax to my outdoor cooking collection. I currently live alone, except when I have my son every other week. I have a Primo Junior that I love, use it at least 4 days a week. It does everything I want, the only thing is it's just a bit heavy to move or transport by myself (weighs over 100 pounds, and has 200 sq. in. cook area). I was thinking of adding a MiniMax for portability when I go camping or travel, for cooking smaller hot and fast meals when it's just me, and as another cooker if I wanted to cook sides, etc. (approx. 80 pounds, and had 133 sq. in. cook area). Would this be a good idea, or would there be too much redundancy between these grills?
Also, someone is selling one about 2 hours away from me for $375 with deflector plate (see photos). If I decided to get the MiniMax, would it be worth my while to make the drive? Or should I go to Ace and get a new one with warranty?
Thanks in advance!
by Sean-NOLA84
7 Comments
If you want portability, the miniMax is really the only game in town as far as eggs go.
There is some redundancy there, though. If portability wasn’t a concern, you can’t go wrong with the standard large BGE.
I paid $500 for my used MiniMax with a few more accessories. For quick cooks for the wife and I, it’s gold. Also traveled with it quite a bit when I still worked on the road and lived in a camper. Never tried smoking on it, have an XL for that duty. I don’t think you’d be mad at it if you bought it, love having mine around.
A minimax isn’t going to be any lighter once you add a conveggtor and a couple accessories. Other than wanting something a bit nicer or for sheer cooking area, I don’t know that I see value in this proposition if portability is the number one concern.
I have a minimax and two minis but I usually take either an SNS travel kettle or Weber GA when camping or traveling.
Hey bud, I have both a Large & MiniMax, and the MM is fantastic. You can easily cook burgers, chicken, hot dogs, steaks, etc, and still use it as a smoker or baking oven. While you can’t fit a full brisket on it, it’s a good size for pork butts or small racks of ribs. In terms of portability…it can be moved, but it does weigh around 85lbs or so when assembled, and it is cumbersome to move by myself, though it is physically possible. I would advise buying it new versus used; I’m on my second base for my MiniMax and third base for my Large in about 5 years, and all have been quickly replaced via the warranty coverage, which isn’t transferable from owner to owner when a BGE is purchased used. The parts can get expensive, the easy replacement warranty can make the new-Egg sticker-shock a bit more reasonable, and can be very beneficial if you plan to move your egg alot. Either way you can’t go wrong, they are a very versatile and fun cooking tool. Good luck!
Good option. My Kamado Joe Junior is bigger and heavier (70+lbs) and isn’t fun to lug around as a “portable”.
If you buy it, let me know. I have a stainless steel charcoal basket for a MM that I can’t use, I’ll send it to you.
For that price, get in the car and go get it!!