Big Green Egg Review Minimax w/ Ribeye & smoked pulled pork butt | BGE mini-max BBQ steak
TLDRIn this review, the host discusses their experience with the Big Green Egg Mini Max, a portable kamado-style grill. They share its weight, size, and cooking capabilities, noting it's suitable for small families and versatile cooking. The video highlights the grill's efficiency, ease of use, and the addition of a ceramic Grill store heat deflector. The host also compares the Mini Max to other grills, suggesting it's ideal as a second, portable cooker or for those seeking a daily-use grill with charcoal-saving benefits.
Takeaways
- 🏷️ The Big Green Egg Mini Max is a portable kamado-style grill, second smallest in the Big Green Egg line.
- 🔍 The reviewer acquired the Mini Max through a trade and created this review to address the lack of information online.
- 💪 Despite being portable, the Mini Max is quite heavy, weighing around 90 lbs, making it more suitable for two people to carry.
- 🔥 The Mini Max heats up quickly, reaching 750°F in about 12-13 minutes.
- 🥩 It has a cooking grate of 13 inches in diameter, suitable for cooking three large ribeyes comfortably.
- ♨️ The fire grate is just under 5 inches from the cooking grate, providing ample space for heat distribution.
- 🔧 The Mini Max comes with a ceramic firebox and a cast iron fire grate, similar to other Big Green Eggs.
- 📏 The total height of the Mini Max is approximately 21 inches, which can vary slightly depending on the top vent seating.
- 🔄 The Mini Max is versatile with the addition of an aftermarket heat deflector, enhancing its cooking capabilities.
- 🍖 The reviewer cooked a large pork butt, showcasing the grill's ability to handle substantial cuts of meat.
- 📋 The Mini Max is a full-fledged Big Green Egg experience in a smaller, more manageable size, ideal for smaller families or as a secondary grill.
Q & A
What is the Big Green Egg Mini Max and why was it being discussed in the video?
-The Big Green Egg Mini Max is a portable kamado-style grill. It was being discussed because the reviewer had recently acquired a used one and wanted to share their experience and answer questions they had when researching the product.
How did the reviewer come to own the Mini Max?
-The reviewer acquired the Mini Max through a trade with a buyer who was interested in purchasing another grill the reviewer was selling on Craigslist.
What is the size category of the Mini Max within the Big Green Egg product line?
-The Mini Max is the second smallest in the Big Green Egg line, being part of the two mini sizes designed for portability.
How heavy is the Mini Max according to the reviewer?
-The Mini Max is listed at about 90 pounds, which the reviewer confirms feels accurate and is a weight that is manageable but not ideal for one person to carry over long distances.
What is the diameter of the cooking grate on the Mini Max?
-The cooking grate on the Mini Max measures exactly 13 inches across.
How much clearance is there between the cooking grate and the fire grate on the Mini Max?
-There is just under five inches of clearance between the cooking grate and the fire grate on the Mini Max.
What is the warranty situation for the Mini Max since it was a used purchase?
-Big Green Eggs come with a lifetime warranty on the ceramic for the original owner, but since it was a used purchase, the reviewer does not receive the warranty. Additionally, if bought from certain outlets like Sam's Club, it's considered gray market and not warrantied by Big Green Egg.
What aftermarket product was mentioned in the review that enhances the Mini Max's functionality?
-The reviewer mentioned an aftermarket heat deflector called the 'woo' from the Ceramic Grill Store, which enhances the Mini Max's versatility.
How quickly can the Mini Max reach a high temperature?
-On a 28° day, the Mini Max reached 750° in about 12 to 13 minutes.
What are some of the pros and cons of the Mini Max as discussed in the review?
-Pros include the Mini Max being a full-on Big Green Egg experience, efficient on charcoal, manageable, and versatile with the addition of accessories. Cons include its size limitations for larger cooks, the need for a table or stand, and the fact that it's not as portable as one might expect due to its weight.
Who would the reviewer recommend the Mini Max for?
-The reviewer suggests the Mini Max is suitable as a second, portable cooker for those who already have a larger grill, or as a day-to-day cooker for smaller families looking to save on charcoal.
Outlines
🍳 Introduction to the Mini Max by Big Green Egg
The speaker introduces the Mini Max by Big Green Egg, a portable grill that they acquired through a trade. They discuss the grill's portability, size, and features. The Mini Max is the second smallest in the Big Green Egg line, designed for portability with sturdy handles and a cart for easy transport. It weighs approximately 90 lbs, making it somewhat portable but more suitable for two people to carry. The speaker shares their initial research and curiosity about the grill, which led them to create this video to answer questions they had and to provide information for potential buyers. They also detail the grill's dimensions, including a cooking grate measuring 13 inches across and a clearance of about 5 inches between the cooking grate and the charcoal grate.
🔥 Performance and Warranty Discussion
The speaker talks about the performance of the Mini Max, highlighting its rapid heating capabilities, reaching 750°F in about 13 minutes on a 28° day. They also discuss the warranty, noting that the original owner has a lifetime warranty for ceramic cracks under normal use, but as a second owner, they do not have this benefit. They mention the concept of 'gray market' products, which are not covered by the manufacturer's warranty. The speaker also reviews an aftermarket heat deflector, comparing it to the original Big Green Egg product. They conclude with a cooking test, grilling a ribeye steak and commenting on the grill's ability to sear and char the meat effectively.
📋 Pros, Cons, and Neutral Observations
The speaker lists the pros, cons, and neutral observations about the Mini Max. Neutral points include the need for a table to elevate the grill and the incompatibility with large charcoal pieces. Cons include the grill's size limitations for larger cuts of meat and the need to manage ash buildup. Pros include the grill's efficiency, manageable size and weight, and versatility with the addition of a ceramic Grill store product. The speaker suggests that the Mini Max could serve as a daily cooker for smaller families or as a secondary grill for larger ones.
🏡 Who Should Buy the Mini Max and Final Thoughts
The speaker contemplates who should consider purchasing the Mini Max, suggesting it as a second, portable cooker for those who already own a larger grill or for smaller families looking for a daily-use grill. They compare the Mini Max to other grills, such as the Joe Jr. and the Jumbo Joe by Weber, highlighting the features and benefits of each. The speaker concludes by likening the Mini Max to an iPad—expensive and not necessarily justifiable, but enjoyable to use. They encourage viewers to subscribe for upcoming content and invite questions and comments.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Mini Max
💡Portable
💡Big Green Egg
💡Ceramic Grill Store Woo
💡Charcoal Efficiency
💡Cooking Grate
💡Fire Grate
💡Warranty
💡Competitors
💡Versatile
Highlights
Introduction to the Big Green Egg Mini Max and its portability.
The Mini Max is the second smallest in the Big Green Egg range and is designed for portability.
The Mini Max weighs approximately 90 lbs, making it somewhat portable but likely requiring two people for longer distances.
The total height of the Mini Max is 21 inches, with some variance possible based on the top vent.
The cooking grate measures exactly 13 inches across.
There is just under five inches of clearance between the cooking grate and the charcoal grate.
The Mini Max heats up to 750° in about 12-13 minutes on a 28° day.
The Mini Max fits three bone-in ribeyes comfortably.
The Mini Max requires a table or elevated surface for use.
It does not use big charcoal, requiring a switch to a different type for use in the Mini Max.
A thermometer's presence may interfere with large cooks, suggesting it needs to be removed during such sessions.
The Mini Max is well-suited for small families but may not be ideal for larger cooks or parties.
The ash management requires attention, as it can become bogged down after a few hours of use.
The Mini Max is a full-on Big Green Egg experience in a smaller, more manageable size.
It is super efficient on charcoal, which can lead to savings.
The Mini Max is very versatile, especially with the addition of an aftermarket heat deflector.
The Mini Max could become a primary cooker for smaller families, offering a good size for most of their cooking needs.
The main competition to the Mini Max is a larger Big Green Egg, offering more cooking space for a higher price.
For those looking at the Mini Max, also consider the Joe Jr from Kamado Joe or the Jumbo Joe by Weber for different cooking needs.
The Mini Max is best suited as a second cooker or a daily cooker for smaller families, offering a unique, enjoyable cooking experience.