What Is The Big Green Egg Minimax
The Big Green Egg MiniMax is a ceramic cooker based on a kamado, a traditional Japanese wood- or charcoal-fuelled stove, not unlike an Indian tandoor oven.
They come in various sizes and this MiniMax is one of the smaller models. It still weighs a tonne, but the foodie results and versatile cooking makes it a tempting proposition despite the high price.
Kamado Joe Vs Big Green Egg: Battle For The Best Kamado Grill
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Kamado-style ceramic grills have been a core part of human culinary development for around 3000 years now.
Even if youve not heard of a Kamado, there is a good chance youve seen or heard of the Big Green Egg.
Theyre kind of hard to miss.
The Big Green Egg company has been the biggest provider of kamado grills in the U.S for the last 40 years. However, they are now facing some competition in the form of Kamado Joe , a brand whose innovative approach is winning them a lot of popularity.
Having taken a close look at both brands and compared their top-of-the-line grills, weve decided that, on balance, we prefer Kamado Joe.
Read on, and well explain why.
One thing to note is that Big Green Egg is not sold online, and is only available at select retailers, while Kamado Joe can be bought online from BBQGuys.com and a range of other stores.
What Size Big Green Egg Is Best
Big Green Eggs are available in 7 different sizes and determining the best size for you can sometimes be tricky. The larger the Egg, the more charcoal will be required and the longer it will take to come up to temperature. Ultimately your decision comes down to a couple of main variables.
Cooking Area
How many people are you generally cooking for? Do you have a big family? Are you frequently cooking for lots of friends? Do you like to grill the full meal with all the trimmings or is the protein typically the only thing being cooked outside? The cooking area you need to accomplish your outdoor cooking goals will help determine the size of grill you’ll want.
Size/Weight
Where will you be using your grill? On your patio in the backyard? 5th floor apartment balcony? RVing across the country? Because these factors alone may help decide for you. These kamado grills are heavy. Even the smallest version is 39 pounds. So really consider where your Egg’s new home will be and how much it will need to be moved around before deciding to go big.
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What Is A Kamado Grill
A Kamado grill really isnt a Kamado grill at all if were speaking in strictly traditional terms. Kamado means stove in Japanese, and the direct equivalent would be a fixed stove cooker within peoples homes. Okay, were being facetious, there is an alternate type: the Mushikamado, and this is what the modern kamado grill is based of.
A transportable, free-standing ceramic grill that has the most wonderful egg shape. Its actually this Mushikamado type of grill that modern kamado grills are based off. Their popularity actually surged post World War Two, when American soldier brought back the innovation straight from the shores of Japan. The grill works effectively due to its integrated ventilation, as well as the thick insulated walls provided by layers of ceramic.
Now, to the technicalities of why exactly the Kamado grill is so efficient, its all about that ventilation with vents located both on the top and the bottom that allow you to control the temperature to an exact measurement.
The thick ceramic walls allow you to slow cook meat at a consistent temperature, or even safely grill the heck out of a piece of meat without having to worry about damaging your grill or setting your backyard ablaze.
Lighting The Big Green Egg
The Large Big Green Egg is a charcoal grill, so it is a bit trickier to light than gas or wood pellet grills. However, Big Green Egg has tried to make it as easy as possible. To start, I removed the grill grid and placed lump charcoal in the bottom of the egg. My package came with SpeediLight All Natural Charcoal Starters which are break-apart fire starter pieces . The first time I lit the grill, I did as the delivery guys suggested and took two starters and twisted them, so they didnt quite break apart and then placed them in the middle of the charcoal. After lighting the starter, I closed the dome and opened the top and bottom hatch to allow air to flow through and the charcoal to catch fire. This worked, but it took about 30 minutes for the grill to reach 350 degrees.
Once the charcoal was lit and the dome was closed, I started regulating the temperature by controlling the air flow through the chimney and the bottom hatch. The more open those two hatches are, the higher the inner temperature of the grill becomes. Close them slightly, and the temperature goes down. I monitored the temperature change with the built-in temperature gauge on the front of the dome.
Once I set the grill at the right temperature, I kept the grill closed most of the cooking time, only opening it to turn my meats or vegetables when necessary. This allowed for the food to be enveloped by the smoke and produced juicy, delicious flavors.
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Friday Vip Eat Drink And Mingle Party
Team Green will be firing up EGGs and sharing their favorite bites with you throughout the evening. Team Green is our group of brand ambassadors, chefs and BGE EGGsperts from around the country, each of whom brings their personal flair and talents to cooking on the EGG. Each ticket includes complimentary sides, desserts and two drink coupons for Coca-Cola products, beer or wine. Get your tickets today!
Straight To The Point
Our budget-friendly recommendation is the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Grill. If you’re looking to upgrade, the Big Green Egg Large Ceramic Cooker is pricey, but delivers with its performance and has a lifetime warranty.
We think that kamados are the best residential outdoor ovens going. These charcoal-fueled devices are modern versions of the Chinese and Indian earthenware cooking ovens and urns that came into use several thousand years ago. Most look a bit like ancient burial urns or giant eggs. Some are made of ceramics or refractory materials, the same stuff used to make kilns, crucibles, and pizza ovensall extremely good insulators that store and radiate heat effectively. They’re superb smokers and roasters, and they’re unmatched as backyard pizza and bread ovens, because the sides and domes absorb heat and radiate it back like a professional brick oven, so the pizza and bread can cook properly from above. They’re also great for paella and tandoori cooking. So it’s no wonder that ceramic grills/smokers/ovens is a fast-growing category, with more competitors throwing their hats into the ring every year.
Considering a kamado? We’ll be your guide.
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Cons But Not Deal Breakers
The BGE‘s built-in thermometer, for one thing, leaves something to be desired. It maxes out at 750 degrees Fahrenheit, but you’ll find out quickly enough that this grill gets much, much hotter.
We’re also not thrilled with the lid, which could open more and make transferring food a little easier. This is one place where the BGE’s main competitor, the Kamado Joe, wins out.
You’ll also find that building the Big Green Egg yourself is a pain, especially setting the top so that it sits flush to the bottom when closed. We recommend paying for the white-glove service unless you really enjoy building, and moreover, problem solving.
The Big Green Egg Company Overview
American entrepreneur Ed Fisher ran one of the original American Kamado manufacturing companies.
Eds Big Green Egg is amodern-day evolution of the ancient cookers, he says Although they didnt start off that way.
He loved how juicy and flavorful they were able to make the food as compared to the other modern grills of his day.
Big Green Egg began in the 70s when Ed started to import kamado cookers to America but found that they were just too fragile.
Eds new company began to make their own kamado cookers in Mexico and they created something that was much more durable!
And the Big Green Egg was born! Known by the fans as BGE.
But what about Coyotes version?
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Fantastic Piece Of Equipment
Fantastic piece of equipment. It is a bbq, a smoker, tandoori oven and a pizza oven, I really enjoy using it, you can but lots of accessories for it to have even more space and an egg genius when you want to do long and slow cooks. I use their coal and it works great
Date of experience:05 October 2022
So pleased with all our BGE products. Over time Ive ordered quite a few extras for my husband . The quality is always top notch + fast delivery. The BGE team are also so good at answering questions on their socials! Love love this company.
Date of experience:05 June 2022
Saturdays Live Fire Throw Down
will feature international culinary talent cooking on the Big Green Eggs with our secret ingredient . You will experience unmatched flavors of your favorite dishes. Guests can sample fare ranging from breakfast dishes to pizza, savory appetizers, to yummy desserts. Cooks will also offer a wide variety of delicious smoked brisket, pulled pork, fall-off-the-bone ribs, spicy sausages, hamburgers, pizzas, and all kinds of other live-fire bites.
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The Best Kamettle Kettlelado The Weber Summit Charcoal Grill
The Weber Summit Charcoal Grill is a radical departure from George Stephen’s original Weber Kettle. It’s Weber’s first major upgrade to the Kettle in decades. Sure, the prices are in line with Summit gas grills and premium-quality kamados on carts, but they’re a big leap up from the Kettles we know and love. It’s true that a regular classic Weber Kettle can grill and smoke, but the new Summits are just plain bigger and better in every way. You get more capacity, ease of use, and more versatility. It actually is an excellent dedicated charcoal smoker by design, and the adjustable coal grate that burns directly under the cook surface for better searing also makes the Summit an even better grill than the classic Weber Kettles.
Cooking Area: 452 square inches
How Are The Accessories
Take your pick from cast-iron cooking grates, side tables, custom cooking islands, covers, pizza stones, grill racks, woks, and more.
We only tested a few EGGcessories, but there are hundreds to choose from. Take your pick from cast-iron cooking grates, side tables, custom cooking islands, covers, pizza stones, grill racks, woks, and more. Big Green Egg also has its own brand of oak and hickory lump charcoal and charcoal starters. They even sell a wireless temperature control unit that allows you to set the grills temperature from your smartphone. All of these items come at a price, and customizing your Egg can add up pretty quickly.
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The Criteria: What We Look For In A Kamado
There are more than a few kamado smokers on the market these days. So, how to pick the best one? A lot of it really comes down to personal preference and what sort of construction and features you’re looking for. Do you want a ceramic cooker or one with fiber insulation and a steel casing ? Do you want a kamado with split racks and and an oval shape for easier zone cooking? Will you be moving your kamado around frequently, and therefore need it to be on wheels? Do you need a gas igniter?
Here are our top kamado cookers for your consideration.
Big Green Egg: 2022 Big Green Egg Reviewed
When people first see a Big Green Egg, they are always intrigued as it can be hard to understand what it does. Is the Big Green Egg a smoker? How is it different from a regular charcoal grill? Is it fun to use? Often the question arises: I already have a gas grill – is it worth investing in a Big Green Egg, too?
Big Green Egg has created a cult following over the years. They are the most well known Kamado ceramic grill maker on the market and for good reason. The green egg grill cookers are made of the highest quality materials, can be used all year round and the community they have created inspires bbqers around the world. Big Green Egg users are always eager to talk about their experiences with their Egg, share recipes, tips and most importantly, their food. When you buy a Big Green Egg you are buying into a lifestyle.
At Designer Appliances, we are big enthusiasts of Big Green Egg and wanted to share why we feel this way about this Kamado style grill and smoker. In fact, many of our staff own an Egg and are firmly attached to the quality of how our barbecue and smoked foods turn out. If you are around any of our stores over the weekends, you will often see us preparing staff lunch on a Big Green Egg. You’re always welcome to join us!
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How Much Are Green Egg Smokers
The Green Egg Smokers are anywhere between $399.00 to $1.999.00 because they come in different sizes: mini, minimax, small, medium egg, large, X large, and the 2XL Egg .
Although the grill has a hefty price tag, you can only purchase it from authorized dealers.
Take a look at their respective prices for each dimension:
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Kamado Grills
A grill dating back thousands of years might not be the first thing to spring to mind when youre shopping around. But think of this, why exactly has it endured so long? It cant just be because it looks cool , its because kamado grills are efficient and unique in the way they cook. Its about the distinctly delicious flavor they impart on any old hunk of meat time and time again.
Weve hyped Kamado grills up quite a bit already, but were logical here and wed like to give you the full picture. That said, heres a full list of the advantages and disadvantages of investing in one of these big, green egg charcoal fueled beasts.
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What We Dont Like
To clean the Big Green Egg, you have to use an ash tool to work the coals around the firebox, pushing the dust and ash through the holes at the bottom.
This grill is large, heavy, and takes a while to cool down. Although its easy to move with locking wheels, we wouldnt recommend buying an Egg if youre planning to store it in a shed or a garage. It stays hot to the touch long after the coals are extinguished and it shouldnt be moved while its hot.
Cleaning out the ashes was a bit of a pain. The coals are stored in the bottom half of the oval-shaped grills, and they sit on top of a plate with perforated holes. Those little holes let air in and allow the ashes to fall through when theyre spent, but they need a little coaxing with the Eggs proprietary ash tool. To remove them from the bottom of the grill, you have to open the bottom vent and use the tool to rake the ashes into a bowl or bucket. It would have been nice if they automatically fell into a removable bucket, speeding up the cleaning process quite a bit.
Buying one can get a bit pricey. The grill itself is significantly more expensive than your standard charcoal grill. In fact, it costs more than most gas grills. On top of that, there are a ton of optional Big Green Egg accessories . It would be really easy to rack up a hefty bill to customize the Egg to your liking.
Thoroughly Enjoyed Cooking On My Big
Thoroughly enjoyed cooking on my big green egg! It is very easy to control the temperature and cook exactly as required. Cant believe how efficient the whole process is – charcoal is reused every time. The food I produce in it is so tasty.
Date of experience:07 October 2022
The big green egg is an amazing addition to your home. Expensive, sure. But, you get to look like an expert cook of steak, roasts, fish etc in front of your guests. Highly addictive and highly tasty.
Date of experience:08 October 2022
Tried to but med cast iron searing grill, amongst the other items, this was not available and have been expecting an email when this is possible but have not received
Date of experience:08 July 2022
Worst communication of any company Ive ever dealt with, made infinitely worse by a delivery company who appear to revel in providing a terrible customer experience. Its a real shame because the actual product is fantastic.
Date of experience:20 July 2022
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What’s The Best Way To Clean A Kamado Smoker Or Grill
Kamados are notoriously tricky to clean because of their unique size and shape. The most important maintenance tip is to make sure to completely empty the smoker of ash after every use. If the interior of your grill has a build-up of food residue, heat the grill to the highest possible temperature to burn it off, then let cool for 30 minutes. Brush the sides with a grill brush and remove any ash or particles that remain. For cleaning the exterior, simply use a mild detergent diluted with water or a glass cleaner and wipe with a clean cloth.