Big Green Egg Review Minimax w/ Ribeye & smoked pulled pork butt | BGE mini-max BBQ steak
TLDRThe video review introduces a used Big Green Egg Mini Max, a portable kamado-style grill. The reviewer discusses its size, weight, and cooking capabilities, noting it's suitable for small families or as a secondary grill. They share their experience with the grill's performance, including a quick heat-up time and cooking a ribeye steak. The review also covers warranty considerations, aftermarket accessories, and compares the Mini Max to other grills, suggesting it's a good choice for those seeking a versatile but compact grill.
Takeaways
- 🔥 The Mini Max by Big Green Egg is the second smallest in the Big Green Egg line and is designed for portability.
- 🏠 The grill was acquired through a trade on Craigslist, highlighting its used market availability.
- 📏 It measures about 21 inches tall and has a cooking grate of exactly 13 inches across.
- 🔥 The fire grate is just under five inches from the cooking grate, providing ample space for heat distribution.
- 🌡️ The Mini Max heats up quickly, reaching 750°F in about 12-13 minutes on a 28° day.
- 🥩 It can comfortably fit three bone-in ribeyes and is capable of achieving a great char on the outside.
- 🔨 It's a full-on Big Green Egg experience in a smaller size, offering the same quality and performance as larger models.
- 💰 While not inexpensive, the Mini Max is a versatile and efficient grill, potentially serving as a primary cooker for smaller families.
- 🚫 The grill's size limits its ability to cook larger items like full briskets or large pizzas, making it less suitable for large gatherings.
- ♨️ An aftermarket heat deflector, such as the one from the Ceramic Grill Store, can significantly enhance the grill's versatility.
- 📈 The Mini Max faces competition from larger Big Green Eggs, Kamado Joe Jr., and more portable options like the Weber Jumbo Joe.
Q & A
What is the Big Green Egg Mini Max and why was it traded for in the video?
-The Big Green Egg Mini Max is a portable, smaller version of the Big Green Egg ceramic grill. It was traded for in the video because the original owner was selling a grill on Craigslist and the buyer proposed a trade for the Mini Max.
How does the Mini Max compare in size to other Big Green Egg models?
-The Mini Max is the second smallest in the Big Green Egg line, making it larger than the smallest model but smaller than the rest. It is designed to be portable, although its portability is relative due to its weight.
What are the dimensions and weight of the Mini Max?
-The Mini Max is approximately 90 lbs in weight and has a cooking grate that measures exactly 13 inches across. The total height from the countertop to the top of the egg is about 21 inches.
How is the Mini Max different from other Big Green Eggs in terms of construction?
-The Mini Max is similar in construction to other Big Green Eggs, featuring a cast iron fire grate, a ceramic firebox, and a fire ring for the cooking grate. The main difference is its size and the inclusion of handles and a cart for portability.
What is the clearance between the cooking grate and the charcoal grate on the Mini Max?
-There is just under five inches of clearance between the cooking grate and the charcoal grate on the Mini Max.
Does the Mini Max come with a warranty, and if so, what does it cover?
-Big Green Eggs typically come with a lifetime warranty on the ceramic for normal use, which covers any cracks that may occur during cooking. However, the Mini Max in the video is a second-hand purchase, so the original lifetime warranty does not apply to the new owner.
What is the heat-up time for the Mini Max as demonstrated in the video?
-In the video, the Mini Max heats up from 0 to 750°F in about 12 to 13 minutes on a 28°F day.
What are some of the pros and cons of the Mini Max mentioned in the video?
-Pros include its full Big Green Egg experience, workhorse capabilities, efficiency on charcoal, and versatility with the addition of a ceramic Grill store woo. Cons include its size limitations for larger cooks, the need for a table to elevate it, and the fact that it's not as portable as one might hope due to its weight.
Who would the reviewer recommend the Mini Max for, and why?
-The reviewer suggests the Mini Max as a second cooker for those who want a portable option or as a day-to-day cooker for smaller families. It's also recommended for those who want to save on charcoal and enjoy the Big Green Egg experience without the need for a full-sized grill.
What are some alternatives to the Mini Max that the reviewer discusses?
-The reviewer mentions the Joe Jr. by Kamado Joe as a similar, more affordable option with more equipment included. For more portable grilling, the Jumbo Joe by Weber is suggested as a lighter and less expensive alternative.
Outlines
🍳 Introduction to the Mini Max by Big Green Egg
The speaker discusses the acquisition of a used Mini Max by Big Green Egg through a trade on Craigslist. They had limited knowledge about the grill initially, prompting them to research it online. They found a lack of information on YouTube, which motivated them to create a video to address common questions about the grill. The Mini Max is the second smallest in the Big Green Egg line and is designed for portability, featuring large handles and a cart for easy transport. Despite its portability, it weighs approximately 90 lbs, making it more suitable for two people to carry. The speaker provides dimensions and details about the grill's construction, including the height, cooking grate size, and clearance between the cooking grate and fire grate. They also touch on the grill's warranty, noting that as a second owner, they do not receive the lifetime warranty that comes with new Big Green Egg products.
🔥 Performance and Versatility of the Mini Max
The speaker highlights the Mini Max's performance, noting its ability to heat up quickly to 750°F on a 28° day in Texas within about 13 minutes. They also discuss the grill's versatility, mentioning the use of an aftermarket heat deflector from the Ceramic Grill Store, which enhances the grill's capabilities beyond the original design. The speaker conducts a ribeye test, showcasing the grill's ability to cook large cuts of meat and achieve a good char on the outside. They also mention the grill's efficiency with charcoal, which can lead to cost savings, and its manageable size and weight, making it easy to use and maintain.
📋 Pros, Cons, and Neutral Observations of the Mini Max
The speaker lists the pros and cons of the Mini Max, as well as some neutral observations. Pros include the grill's full Big Green Egg experience, efficiency with charcoal, manageable size and weight, and versatility with the addition of the Ceramic Grill Store's woo. Cons revolve around the grill's size limitations, making it less suitable for larger families or gatherings, and the need for regular ash management. Neutral points include the necessity of a table for the grill and the incompatibility with certain types of charcoal due to its size. The speaker also compares the Mini Max to a larger Big Green Egg, suggesting that for most users, investing in a larger model might be a better choice due to its increased cooking capacity.
🤔 Target Audience and Competitor Analysis for the Mini Max
The speaker contemplates who should buy the Mini Max, suggesting it might be best suited as a second, portable cooker for smaller families or for those who want to save on charcoal. They compare the Mini Max to the Joe Jr. by Kamado Joe and the Jumbo Joe by Weber, highlighting the features and benefits of each as potential alternatives. The speaker concludes that the Mini Max is a purchase driven by personal desire rather than necessity, likening it to an iPad, which, while not essential, is enjoyed and used frequently once owned. They invite viewers to subscribe for upcoming content and encourage questions and engagement in the comments section.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Mini Max
💡Portable
💡Big Green Egg
💡Ceramic Grill
💡Cooking Grate
💡Fire Grate
💡Heat Deflector
💡Warranty
💡Charcoal
💡Versatile
Highlights
Introduction to the Big Green Egg Mini Max, a portable kamado-style grill.
The Mini Max is the second smallest in the Big Green Egg line, designed for portability.
Weighs approximately 90 lbs, making it somewhat portable but better suited for two people to carry.
The cooking grate measures exactly 13 inches across.
Five inches of clearance between the cooking grate and the charcoal grate.
The Mini Max heats up to 750°F in about 12-13 minutes, showcasing its efficiency.
The grill's height is approximately 21 inches from the countertop to the top of the dome.
The Mini Max comes with a lifetime warranty on the ceramic for the original owner only.
An aftermarket heat deflector called 'woo' is used, enhancing the grill's versatility.
The Mini Max is very efficient on charcoal, which can save users money.
Cooking three bone-in ribeyes comfortably on the grill.
The Mini Max is a versatile grill, suitable for various cooking styles.
For smaller families or those who want to save on charcoal, the Mini Max is a good fit.
The Mini Max faces competition from larger Big Green Eggs and other brands like Kamado Joe Jr.
The grill is compared to an iPad, being portable but not justifying the cost for some.
The reviewer suggests the Mini Max could be a second cooker or a daily-use grill for smaller cooks.
Final thoughts on the Mini Max as a purchase based on personal desire rather than necessity.