Big Green Egg Review Minimax w/ Ribeye & smoked pulled pork butt | BGE mini-max BBQ steak

Baby Back Maniac
10 Dec 201618:05

TLDRIn this review, the presenter discusses their experience with the Big Green Egg Mini Max, a portable kamado-style grill. They share its features, including its size, weight, and cooking capabilities, and compare it to other grills. The Mini Max, while heavy at 90 lbs, offers versatility and efficiency in charcoal use. Ideal for smaller families or as a secondary grill, it faces competition from larger Big Green Eggs and other portable grills. The presenter concludes that the Mini Max is a desirable purchase for those who appreciate its convenience and performance.

Takeaways

  • 🏷️ The Big Green Egg Mini Max is a portable kamado-style grill, second smallest in the Big Green Egg range.
  • 💪 It features sturdy handles and a cart designed for transportability, but weighs approximately 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, showcasing its efficiency.
  • 🥩 The cooking grate is 13 inches across, providing space for cooking large cuts like ribeyes, but may not accommodate larger items like whole briskets.
  • 🔩 It's built with the same quality as larger Big Green Eggs, featuring a cast iron fire grate and ceramic firebox.
  • ⚖️ The Mini Max has a 5-inch clearance between the cooking grate and charcoal grate, and about 7.5 inches of lid clearance.
  • 🛡️ It comes with a lifetime warranty on the ceramic for the original owner, but the warranty may not extend to second owners or gray market purchases.
  • 🌡️ An aftermarket heat deflector, the Ceramic Grill Store Woo, is used and praised for its versatility, unlike the original Big Green Egg heat deflector.
  • 🍖 The grill's size makes it suitable for smaller families or as a secondary grill for larger ones, but it may not meet the needs of larger gatherings.
  • 📈 The Mini Max faces competition from larger Big Green Eggs, the Kamado Joe Jr., and the Weber Jumbo Joe, each offering different features and price points.

Q & A

  • What is the Big Green Egg Mini Max used for in the video?

    -The Big Green Egg Mini Max is used for grilling and smoking food, as demonstrated by the host who cooks a ribeye steak and smoked pulled pork butt.

  • Why did the host decide to make a video about the Mini Max?

    -The host decided to make a video because they couldn't find much information about the Mini Max online and wanted to answer questions they had when researching the product.

  • How portable is the Big Green Egg Mini Max according to the video?

    -The Mini Max is somewhat portable with big handles and a cart designed for travel, but it is quite heavy at around 90 lbs, making it more suitable for two people to carry.

  • What is the cooking grate size of the Mini Max?

    -The cooking grate size of the Mini Max is exactly 13 inches across.

  • How far is the fire grate from the cooking grate on the Mini Max?

    -The fire grate is just under five inches away from the cooking grate on the Mini Max.

  • What is the total height of the Mini Max from the countertop to the top?

    -The total height of the Mini Max from the countertop to the top is about 21 inches.

  • What is the warranty situation for the Mini Max mentioned in the video?

    -Big Green Eggs normally come with a lifetime warranty on the ceramic for normal use, but the Mini Max in the video is used and the warranty is not transferable to the second owner.

  • What aftermarket heat deflector is mentioned in the video?

    -The video mentions an aftermarket heat deflector called 'woo' from a company called Ceramic Grill Store.

  • How quickly does the Mini Max heat up according to the video?

    -The Mini Max heats up from 0 to 750°F in about 12-13 minutes on a 28° day.

  • What are some pros and cons of the Mini Max listed in the video?

    -Pros include its full Big Green Egg experience, efficiency on charcoal, and versatility with the Ceramic Grill Store woo. Cons include its smaller size, which limits the amount of food it can cook at once, and the need for a table to elevate it.

  • Who would the host recommend the Mini Max for?

    -The host suggests the Mini Max would be suitable as a second cooker for those who want a portable option or as a day-to-day cooker for smaller cooks.

Outlines

00:00

🍳 Introduction to the Mini Max by Big Green Egg

The speaker introduces the topic of the video, which is a discussion about their new Mini Max grill by Big Green Egg. They explain that they are reviewing it in their kitchen because of its portability. The speaker shares that they acquired the grill through a trade after researching it online due to limited information available. The video aims to answer questions the speaker had during their research. The Mini Max is described as the second smallest in the Big Green Egg line, designed for portability with heavy-duty handles and a cart for easy transportation. Despite its portability, it weighs approximately 90 lbs, making it more suitable for two people to carry. The speaker also discusses the grill's dimensions, including its height and cooking grate size, and the clearance between the cooking grate and the fire grate.

05:00

🔥 Mini Max Performance and Warranty Discussion

The speaker talks about the Mini Max's performance, highlighting its rapid heating capabilities, reaching 750°F in about 13 minutes on a 28° day. They also mention a ribeye test to demonstrate the grill's performance. The warranty is discussed, noting that the ceramic part of Big Green Eggs typically comes with a lifetime warranty for the original owner, but as a second owner, the speaker does not benefit from this. They also mention that Big Green Egg does not warrantee products bought from certain retailers like Sam's Club, labeling them as 'gray market'. The speaker appreciates the aftermarket heat deflector they received with the grill, which they credit to the Ceramic Grill Store, and they compare it to the original Big Green Egg heat deflector, the Plate Setter.

10:01

📋 Pros, Cons, and Neutrals of the Mini Max

The speaker lists the pros, cons, and neutral aspects of the Mini Max grill. 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, which limits its ability to cook large cuts of meat or multiple items simultaneously, and the ash management, which requires attention after a few hours of use. Pros include the grill's full Big Green Egg experience, efficiency with charcoal, manageable components, and versatility, especially with the addition of the Ceramic Grill Store Woo, which enhances its functionality. The speaker suggests that the Mini Max could be a good daily cooker for smaller families or as a second, portable cooker.

15:03

💭 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

The speaker concludes the review by contemplating who should buy the Mini Max. They suggest it could be a good second cooker for those who want a portable option or a daily cooker for smaller families. They compare it to other grills like the Joe Jr by Kamado Joe and the Jumbo Joe by Weber, recommending potential buyers to consider these alternatives based on their needs. The speaker likens the Mini Max to an iPad, not justifying its purchase based on necessity but rather on desire and enjoyment. They encourage viewers to subscribe for upcoming content and invite questions and feedback in the comments section.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Mini Max

The 'Mini Max' is a model of the Big Green Egg, which is a type of kamado-style ceramic grill. It is the second smallest in the Big Green Egg line and is designed for portability, making it suitable for those who want the versatility of a Big Green Egg but in a more compact and transportable size. In the video, the reviewer discusses the Mini Max's portability, its size relative to other Big Green Egg models, and how it performs in various cooking scenarios.

💡Portable

The term 'portable' in the context of the video refers to the ease with which the Mini Max can be moved from one location to another. Despite its relatively heavy weight of about 90 lbs, it is designed with handles and a cart that facilitate transportation. The reviewer notes that while it is marketed as portable, its weight suggests it is more suitable for two people to carry, especially over longer distances.

💡Ceramic Grill

A 'ceramic grill' is a type of grill made from ceramic materials, known for their ability to retain heat and provide even cooking temperatures. The Big Green Egg, including the Mini Max model, is a popular example of a ceramic grill. The video highlights the ceramic construction of the Mini Max, which contributes to its cooking performance and heat retention capabilities.

💡Cooking Grate

The 'cooking grate' is the surface on which food is placed for cooking in a grill. The reviewer measures the cooking grate of the Mini Max to be exactly 13 inches across, which is an important consideration for users to know how much food they can cook at once. The size of the cooking grate directly impacts the grill's capacity and usability for different types of meals.

💡Fire Grate

The 'fire grate' is the structure that holds the heat source, such as charcoal, in a grill. In the video, the reviewer measures the distance between the fire grate and the cooking grate to be just under five inches, which is a critical measurement for understanding the grill's heat distribution and cooking efficiency.

💡Warranty

The 'warranty' mentioned in the video refers to the manufacturer's guarantee covering the ceramic parts of the Big Green Egg against cracking or other defects under normal use. The reviewer points out that the Mini Max, being a used product, does not come with the lifetime warranty for the ceramic, which is typically offered to the original owner. This is an important consideration for potential buyers of used grills.

💡Heat Deflector

A 'heat deflector' is an accessory that can be added to a grill to modify the heat distribution and cooking environment. The reviewer discusses an aftermarket heat deflector called the 'woo' from the Ceramic Grill Store, which enhances the grill's versatility. The use of a heat deflector can affect the grill's performance, allowing for different cooking techniques such as indirect cooking.

💡Charcoal

In the context of the video, 'charcoal' is the fuel used to heat the Mini Max grill. The reviewer notes that the Mini Max is efficient with charcoal, which can be an advantage for users looking to save on fuel costs. The type of charcoal used can also affect the grill's performance and the flavor of the food being cooked.

💡Versatile

The term 'versatile' is used to describe the Mini Max's ability to perform a wide range of cooking tasks. The reviewer praises the grill's versatility, highlighting its capacity to cook various types of food, from steaks to smoked pulled pork. This makes the Mini Max a valuable addition to a kitchen, capable of handling diverse culinary needs.

💡Competitors

The 'competitors' mentioned in the video refer to other grills or brands that offer similar functionality or features to the Mini Max. The reviewer compares the Mini Max to larger Big Green Egg models, the Joe Jr. from Kamado Joe, and the Jumbo Joe by Weber, considering factors like size, weight, price, and portability. Understanding the competitive landscape helps potential buyers make informed decisions based on their specific needs and preferences.

Highlights

Introduction to the Big Green Egg Mini Max and its portability.

The Mini Max is the second smallest in the Big Green Egg line and is designed for portability.

The Mini Max weighs approximately 90 lbs, making it somewhat portable but better suited for two people to carry.

The total height of the Mini Max is 21 inches, with some variance possible based on the top vent.

Cooking grate measures exactly 13 inches across, providing a good size for cooking.

There is just under five inches of clearance between the cooking grate and the charcoal grate.

The Mini Max heats up quickly, reaching 750°F in about 12-13 minutes.

The Mini Max fits three bone-in ribeyes comfortably, allowing for excellent charring.

Discusses the warranty of the Mini Max, which is limited for the second owner and not covered for gray market purchases.

Mention of an aftermarket heat deflector by Ceramic Grill Store that enhances the Mini Max's versatility.

The Mini Max is efficient on charcoal, making it cost-effective to use.

Everything about the Mini Max is manageable, with no unwieldy parts, making it fun to use.

The Mini Max is very versatile, capable of handling almost any type of cooking.

Suitable as a day-to-day cooker for smaller families or as a second cooker for larger families.

Comparison with other grills like the Joe Jr and Jumbo Joe by Weber for those seeking different options.

The Mini Max is a purchase driven by desire rather than necessity, offering a unique cooking experience.

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