Big Green Egg MiniMax vs Big Green Egg Small
vs
Quick take: The Big Green Egg Small costs $150 less.
| Spec | Big Green Egg MiniMax | Big Green Egg Small |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$850 | ~$700 |
| Rating | 5★ (12) | — |
| Type | Kamado | Kamado |
| Cooking Area | 133 sq in | 133 sq in |
| Max Temp | 750°F | 750°F |
| Fuel Type | Charcoal | Charcoal |
| Build Material | Ceramic | Ceramic |
| Hopper Capacity | — | — |
| Burners | — | — |
| WiFi / App | No | No |
| App control | No | No |
| Meat probe | No | No |
| PID controller | No | No |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 16 in wide x 19.5 in tall | 24 in height, 13 in grid |
| Weight | 76 lbs | 80 lbs |
| Warranty | Lifetime (ceramic) | Limited lifetime warranty on ceramic components |
Pros & cons
Big Green Egg MiniMax
- ✓Full kamado performance in a tabletop body - it sears steaks at 700°F+ and holds 250°F for ribs just like the big Eggs
- ✓The only Egg that includes its stand: the wraparound carrier with side handles is part of the package, not a $235 nest add-on
- ✓Unlike the smaller Mini, the dome has room for a convEGGtor, so true indirect smoking and baking are on the menu
- ✓133 sq in genuinely feeds one to three people - a spatchcocked chicken, six burgers, or two thick ribeyes fit fine
- ✓Tiny fire bowl means tiny fuel bills - a few handfuls of lump runs a full cook with charcoal left over
- ✓At 19.5 inches tall it rides upright in an SUV trunk, and tailgaters call it the most-used cooker they own
- ✓Same thick ceramic and lifetime warranty as the four-figure sizes - this isn't a cheapened entry model
- ✓Perfect 5.0 owner rating, and like every Egg it holds resale value unusually well
- ✗$850 is real money for 133 sq in - the worst price-per-square-inch in the Egg family; you're paying for portability
- ✗Kamado Joe's Joe Jr. offers a similar tabletop kamado with a bit more grate for roughly half the price
- ✗'Portable' is relative: 76 lbs of ceramic is a firm two-person carry, not a picnic tote
- ✗One Boston butt or one chicken is the ceiling - hosting anything beyond a small dinner means cooking in shifts
- ✗The squat dome puts food close to the fire, so tall roasts are out and pizza edges need watching
- ✗Accessories add up fast - convEGGtor, a nest to get it off the table, and a cover are all extra
- ✗The small fire bowl holds less lump than a Large, so very long unattended smokes need a careful, full load
- ✗All the usual kamado homework applies: lump charcoal, vent-control learning curve, and zero built-in tech
Big Green Egg Small
- ✓Cheapest way into the ceramic Egg line at $699.99 direct
- ✓80 lbs is light enough for two people to place without equipment, unlike the 162 lb Large
- ✓Same limited lifetime ceramic warranty and 200-750°F range as the $2,800 2XL
- ✓Tall standing shape takes a nest or a built-in table, which the squat MiniMax does not suit
- ✓The small ceramic mass comes up to temperature noticeably faster than a Large
- ✗133 sq in is roughly three steaks or a single chicken — it does not scale to guests
- ✗Costs $150 less than the MiniMax for the same cooking area, but gives up the MiniMax's portability and carrier
- ✗Needs a nest or table, sold separately, before it is usable at working height
- ✗Narrow 13-inch grid limits indirect setups; a ceramic plate setter leaves little usable ring