I recently won a mini max and am looking for any tips and tricks from those who use one! We actually bought a large demo egg from an egg fest a month ago too so I’m wondering if this is overkill? We are a family of two…What do you like to cook on it? Is it worth it to have both a large egg and mini? What accessories are worth it for the max? Thanks in advance!!

by PretzlBunz

27 Comments

  1. I’d consider it overkill. Do I have hobbies that I’m far beyond overkill based on my equipment? Yep.

  2. 1)Register it right away.

    2)Enjoy it, they’re a great piece of equipment.

    3) we use the large for ribs and bigger cooks, the minimax is easy for my wife and I, uses less lump with same results.

  3. ragingorange

    Not overkill at all, especially for family of two. Way easier on charcoal, way quicker to get to temp, much more manageable for grilling for two.

    Still love my Large for smoking, pizzas, and when I’m cooking large cuts of meat, but have done most of my use on the MiniMax recently.

  4. bibbitybobbityshowme

    It’s awful. Don’t use it.

    I’d be willing to take it off your hands. Purely doing you a favour you understand.

    I’d even come pick it up For free.

    (I have a large and want a mini max because they’re so cool and useful… Also great for the beach if you go!)

  5. diverareyouokay

    That would be handy for a little cooks, when you don’t want to light up the big one… And if you go camping or tailgating.

    I’d get a Thermoworks RFX probe, maybe their billows temp controller.. and that’s about it. You can use those two things on your large one as well.

  6. extendshuman

    I only have a mini max – I live in an apartment and was able to grab one off of Facebook marketplace. You would be surprised with just how much you can get away with on it, I’ve used it for everything you can do on an egg; slow smoking brisket and pork shoulder, steak, pizza, burgers, dogs, hell, we even have baked cookies in it with the cast iron made to fit it. It will conserve charcoal a lot more than your large since it takes less to get it up to temp and keep it there, pretty much any time you’re cooking for two I think you’ll probably prefer it. The only time I wish I had something bigger is when I want to do anything over about the 10lb mark. Definitely get a nest for it, I like the side tables too. Honestly I don’t know if I can recommend the kick ash can for it just because it raises the cooking surface about two inches and it’s already pretty cramped in there with the dome closed. Don’t be afraid to throw anything at it, it’s yet to disappoint!

  7. Life_Behind_Bars

    That would be in my trunk for any opportunity to use it while not with my XL. You never know.

  8. thenewjerk

    I have a XL and a mini max.  On the grilling side, mini max is awesome if you just want to do a steak or 2, or sausages/dogs for just a couple people.  I use the XL when I have guests or if I’m grilling a whole meal (mains & sides).   I haven’t tried smoking anything with the mini max, so I’m not sure about its performance on that end.

  9. Substantial_Tap_2493

    I use my MM a ton, especially cooking for just 1

  10. Alltherightythen

    Put seat belt on it. Can never be to careful

  11. WinnipegDuke

    Absolutely perfect for the reverse seared tri tip that you will now make weekly.

  12. vgullotta

    If I had both in your situation, I would save the large egg for BBQs and large roasts and smokes. Use the mini for general purpose grilling and smoking for the two of you.

  13. Lingua_Blanca

    I’d recommend not using it in your car, the constant vibrations may interrupt the cooking process.

  14. AsianChickenTaco

    I love mine. I use briquettes every once in a while and they work fine.

  15. Perfect size for your family of two, then, when cooking for a larger number, you have two, one for side dishes. Fantastic addition to your cooking situation. Congrats. I have a thirteen inch kamado in addition to my twenty inch. The thirteen weighs about 130 lbs since it is cast iron and thus, semi-portable but it goes camping with me on a regular basis. It will have many uses.

  16. lucasisacao

    Don’t listen to any of us, instead give us advice on how to win one

  17. I like mines for steaks specifically. Its a little sear station.