Ron, thanks for another great video. You've been a great teacher as I've learned to cook on my Egg over the last year and a half. I've also standardized on Fogo for its consistency, using black bag for shorter cooks and gold bag for long smokes. I'd like to offer a couple of tips on vacuuming: 1) You can get filter bags to put inside your vacuum that both catch the ash before it gets to the main filter and make it really easy to empty the vacuum with the ash contained. They're made by several companies for different vacuums, just check online. The ones I use are sold by Vacmaster, the manufacturer of my vacuum. 2) I have a small Armor All branded 2.5 gallon/2 hp vacuum that I use to clean my large Egg. It came from Wally World, but you can also buy the same vacuum under the Vacmaster brand, the actual maker. I have found that I can insert the hose through the bottom vent opening and snake it round the space behind the fire box, cleaning that area without having to disassemble the whole Egg.
I have my beloved MiniMax and rolling smoke tip is the Tip of the Year to me! I normally control temp by using only top vent, now I see that I can use lower vent only as well, and even more, there will be a difference in smokiness. AWESOME! Will definitely try this weekend! Many thanks Captain!
Ron thanks for the help on achieving higher temperatures on my MM. I had gotten pretty discouraged. Yesterday I was able to sear my flat iron steak at 550.I had already cooked my wings on indirect . This was not adding any lump. Your tip on the size of the lump was the key. I loaded her up. I used Fogo!!!
I have a kamado joe jr and a bge xl. Been using the joe jr for about 5 yrs now. I would assume the mini max is near identical. I love all these cookers and look forward to each cook, as it's an enjoyable adventure everytime. Cheers from Detroit, thanks for the tips & keep up the good work!
My MiniMax experience greatly improved with the Fogo briquettes. I know (as you said) it’s frowned upon in the BGE community but they REALLY shine in the mini. You can get more briquettes inside than lump pieces. Creates more of an even cooking surface in my opinion.
I love your videos! You mentioned something very quickly about a specific part needed for vacuuming ash in a wet vac. Can you be more specific? Is it a special filter? I use my wet vac to clean my egg and have that issue you described.... Thanks!
Great Info again. Mini will probably be my next egg. Currently I have a Lg & about all the accessories $$$$. A MiniMax suits my single life style but not enough room on my patio for everything I want. May get rid of the Weber Gas grill to make room. Thanks for helping me spend my money. Ha!
Great video! Generally, I always use the briquettes - I like the flavor they impart on the MiniMax - so good. I have used it for grilling, baking Hasselback potatoes, corn on the cob and roasting other vegetables with very much success. I love it for camping because it lights fast and in my opinion is as easily controlled as my large BGE. Thanks for the tip on the airflow - I do it the way you do and it works for me. I got my MiniMax back in May off market place and was lightly used but not sure how he trashed the gasket so bad but will be replacing and correcting the underbite. It was usable but really needs to be fixed. I'll have to pull up one of your videos for that. Thank you!
Carolyn. I have replaced my gasket on my lg many times. Cpt Ron can hook you up with Ron Pratt. He supplies the aftermarket Rutland gasket with detailed installation instructions. Very easy.
@@FOGOcharcoal Yeah, I kind of thought so. It was only $150 with kick ash basket and ceramic plate setter so I'm not too worried. It also is a newer one with the new cap.
Capn Ron, what are any differences between the mini and minimax? I just got a mini and have noticed a challenge to keep under 225. Need to foil wrap the top when closed to really keep low temps on a smoke even with the bottom vent almost closed.
The minimax is ideal size for 2-4 persons, and the venting system is quite effective. The heat deflector is a Must. Your quick setup is appreciated but I would have to say that there is a lot more finesse you can do with this little marvel. With less charcoal, a deflector and some accessories like a pizza stone or a small cast iron pot, you can bake, smoke, pizza, or grill. My only single complaint is the clayware heat deflector, I am on my third and they are overpriced but necessary or else the MiniMax s just a hibachi. You need indirect heat because it is so small. But then it excels.
Really enjoyed this video, will there be a test on this and will it be open book or should I say video? Do you get many purple martins to the birdhouse behind you?
You know, I was wondering if anyone would notice the purple martin house. Yes, we get them every year for a few months. You'd know that if you lived in Florida. LOL, thanks buddy
Another thing about the smaller Eggs is that they use less fuel. Being by myself, my main Egg is the Mini (a little smaller than the MiniMax). When cooking direct for things like steak, chops, burgers, etc... I can get over 60 cooks on a 20lb bag of lump. In addition to that, the Mini is quicker to get up to temp versus the large.
Great video Captain. But please tell me, people dont really use the vacuum while the charcoal is still hot. Do you really need to tell them not to do that?. I am too busy eating rather than cleaning my grill.... HAHAHA
Ron, thanks for another great video. You've been a great teacher as I've learned to cook on my Egg over the last year and a half. I've also standardized on Fogo for its consistency, using black bag for shorter cooks and gold bag for long smokes. I'd like to offer a couple of tips on vacuuming:
1) You can get filter bags to put inside your vacuum that both catch the ash before it gets to the main filter and make it really easy to empty the vacuum with the ash contained. They're made by several companies for different vacuums, just check online. The ones I use are sold by Vacmaster, the manufacturer of my vacuum.
2) I have a small Armor All branded 2.5 gallon/2 hp vacuum that I use to clean my large Egg. It came from Wally World, but you can also buy the same vacuum under the Vacmaster brand, the actual maker. I have found that I can insert the hose through the bottom vent opening and snake it round the space behind the fire box, cleaning that area without having to disassemble the whole Egg.
Eggcellent stuff my bud!
Captain Ron, your back area looks exactly like mine in Destin...wowwww.
I'd say we are both pretty blessed then. Despite being in polar opposite ends of the state!
The rolling smoke issue was explained very well. Thanks 🙏
You're welcome, makes sense, right?
@@FOGOcharcoal Yes, absolutly! 👍
Great tips! Excellent video as always!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Im going to try your vent setting. Good video thanks for posting
Awesome, let me know what you think!
I have my beloved MiniMax and rolling smoke tip is the Tip of the Year to me! I normally control temp by using only top vent, now I see that I can use lower vent only as well, and even more, there will be a difference in smokiness. AWESOME! Will definitely try this weekend! Many thanks Captain!
You are very welcome. Let me know how it turns out!
Great video, excellent tips!
Thank you TJ. Are you related to @TinaCannonCooks? LOL
Great video! Thank you!
Glad you liked it! You are very welcome!
Ron thanks for the help on achieving higher temperatures on my MM. I had gotten pretty discouraged. Yesterday I was able to sear my flat iron steak at 550.I had already cooked my wings on indirect . This was not adding any lump. Your tip on the size of the lump was the key. I loaded her up. I used Fogo!!!
Excellent! I am so glad that it worked for you! Thanks so much for sharing.
I have a kamado joe jr and a bge xl. Been using the joe jr for about 5 yrs now. I would assume the mini max is near identical. I love all these cookers and look forward to each cook, as it's an enjoyable adventure everytime. Cheers from Detroit, thanks for the tips & keep up the good work!
Yes sir, they are very very similar. Cheers my friend
My MiniMax experience greatly improved with the Fogo briquettes. I know (as you said) it’s frowned upon in the BGE community but they REALLY shine in the mini. You can get more briquettes inside than lump pieces. Creates more of an even cooking surface in my opinion.
Right??? I mean, it only makes sense. Thanks for helping to try to open peoples eyes to something new!
I love your videos! You mentioned something very quickly about a specific part needed for vacuuming ash in a wet vac. Can you be more specific? Is it a special filter? I use my wet vac to clean my egg and have that issue you described.... Thanks!
@@jamesmikolajek3347 yes, it’s an ash attachment that goes in the filter. Game changer!!
Idea for a future video: any special tips for grilling frozen burger patties?
We are one step ahead my friend! ruclips.net/video/T6q4vhKZeys/видео.htmlsi=sbPx4-szaNQkC9Fu
Great Info again. Mini will probably be my next egg. Currently I have a Lg & about all the accessories $$$$. A MiniMax suits my single life style but not enough room on my patio for everything I want. May get rid of the Weber Gas grill to make room. Thanks for helping me spend my money. Ha!
LOL, you are very welcome Tom! I use it all the time and I didn't even really think I'd use it much when I got it
Always love your videos. FYI, the link to the ash tool doesn’t seem to work.
Check now, I just fixed it. Thanks so much!
You mentioned taking it with you. Any tips on packing the Max for travel??
I just usually sit it in the back seat or in the back of our SUV and go. I have never had a problem.
Great video! Generally, I always use the briquettes - I like the flavor they impart on the MiniMax - so good. I have used it for grilling, baking Hasselback potatoes, corn on the cob and roasting other vegetables with very much success. I love it for camping because it lights fast and in my opinion is as easily controlled as my large BGE. Thanks for the tip on the airflow - I do it the way you do and it works for me. I got my MiniMax back in May off market place and was lightly used but not sure how he trashed the gasket so bad but will be replacing and correcting the underbite. It was usable but really needs to be fixed. I'll have to pull up one of your videos for that. Thank you!
Great stuff Carolyn! You know that you can now register that EGG for warranty ! ( I believe)
@@FOGOcharcoal Thank you! I'll look into that!
Carolyn. I have replaced my gasket on my lg many times. Cpt Ron can hook you up with Ron Pratt. He supplies the aftermarket Rutland gasket with detailed installation instructions. Very easy.
@@carolynkuntz7765 I was mistaken, it still needs to have been bought new.
@@FOGOcharcoal Yeah, I kind of thought so. It was only $150 with kick ash basket and ceramic plate setter so I'm not too worried. It also is a newer one with the new cap.
I want a MiniMax too!
It is a great addition
Capn Ron, what are any differences between the mini and minimax? I just got a mini and have noticed a challenge to keep under 225. Need to foil wrap the top when closed to really keep low temps on a smoke even with the bottom vent almost closed.
Hmmm, not much other than the MM is about 7 centimeters taller and has a much larger cooking area.
The minimax is ideal size for 2-4 persons, and the venting system is quite effective. The heat deflector is a Must. Your quick setup is appreciated but I would have to say that there is a lot more finesse you can do with this little marvel. With less charcoal, a deflector and some accessories like a pizza stone or a small cast iron pot, you can bake, smoke, pizza, or grill. My only single complaint is the clayware heat deflector, I am on my third and they are overpriced but necessary or else the MiniMax s just a hibachi. You need indirect heat because it is so small. But then it excels.
I have to say that we are very much on the same page my friend.
Really enjoyed this video, will there be a test on this and will it be open book or should I say video? Do you get many purple martins to the birdhouse behind you?
You know, I was wondering if anyone would notice the purple martin house. Yes, we get them every year for a few months. You'd know that if you lived in Florida. LOL, thanks buddy
@@FOGOcharcoal maybe soon
I’m going to get one……already have the XL!
I highly recommend it Scott
Enjoy the latest in our Big Green Egg series! Don't forget to subscribe to the FOGO Channel
Another thing about the smaller Eggs is that they use less fuel. Being by myself, my main Egg is the Mini (a little smaller than the MiniMax). When cooking direct for things like steak, chops, burgers, etc... I can get over 60 cooks on a 20lb bag of lump. In addition to that, the Mini is quicker to get up to temp versus the large.
All very good and very true points!
Great video Captain. But please tell me, people dont really use the vacuum while the charcoal is still hot. Do you really need to tell them not to do that?. I am too busy eating rather than cleaning my grill.... HAHAHA
Jim, you would be shocked. If we did not put that disclaimer in there, you never know what could happen....
The Mini Max looks cool, but if I'm buying a second egg it will be the XL.
My two main sizes that I use