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Q-talk *ON TOPIC ONLY* QUALITY ON TOPIC discussion of Backyard BBQ, grilling, equipment and outdoor cookin' . ** Other cooking techniques are welcomed for when your cookin' in the kitchen. Post your hints, tips, tricks & techniques, success, failures, but stay on topic and watch for that hijacking. |
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02-12-2018, 01:33 PM | #1 |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 09-05-13
Location: St Charles, MO
Name/Nickname : Sean
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World of Kamado
Hey all,
Ill be pulling the trigger on a small kamado in the near future and am looking for some advice. The two contenders are the Kamado Joe Jr and the BGE MiniMax. I know both will cook very similar and are about the same size weight. If the KJjr came with the newer upgrades seen on the Classic II I would be all over it but since it doesnt Im still not completely sold. I would like to have a semi-"portable" kamado for various reasons and these two stand out. What are your thoughts? Likes or dislikes. I dont own any other kamado so am not loyal to one over the other. Appreciate the help.
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Yoder YS640s, PK360, WeberQ, BS Pizza Oven, BS 28, Kamado Joe Jr. |
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02-12-2018, 01:50 PM | #2 |
On the road to being a farker
Join Date: 04-12-12
Location: Kansas
Name/Nickname : Scott
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Have you watched any of babybackmaniac’s videos on YouTube? He’s a fellow member here. And he’s recommended the komado joe several times.
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UDS, Camp Chef DLX - Sear Station, Blackstone Griddle, Weber 22 LE kettle. |
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02-12-2018, 01:55 PM | #3 | |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 09-05-13
Location: St Charles, MO
Name/Nickname : Sean
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Quote:
Saw a few posts on here BGE vs KJ but didnt see any on the smaller kamados they offer. Before I drop $400 to $600 + just thought I would throw out a few questions and see what you all thought as a whole.
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Yoder YS640s, PK360, WeberQ, BS Pizza Oven, BS 28, Kamado Joe Jr. |
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02-12-2018, 01:57 PM | #4 |
is One Chatty Farker
Join Date: 07-19-13
Location: Houston, TX
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When I bought mine I went with the Kamado Joe (classic). It was cheaper and every bit as good, food will all taste the same no matter which you pick.
I would honestly pick based on which one you think looks better. Food will be the same. |
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02-12-2018, 01:58 PM | #5 |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 09-09-16
Location: Essex, VT
Name/Nickname : Jeremy
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Just a thought: how about the Akorn jr.? Way less expensive and same idea. Just throwing it out there.
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“My favorite animal is steak.” ― Fran Lebowitz |
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02-12-2018, 02:02 PM | #6 |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 09-05-13
Location: St Charles, MO
Name/Nickname : Sean
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Ive looked at all of em and narrowed it down to these two. Primo and Acorn were close but the KJjr and BGE MM won em out.
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Yoder YS640s, PK360, WeberQ, BS Pizza Oven, BS 28, Kamado Joe Jr. |
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02-12-2018, 02:04 PM | #7 |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 04-08-16
Location: Oceanside, CA
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Akorn Jr is a great option. its 1/4 the price and 1/10th of the weight. People really love them. I had a friend who bought one after ogling my kamados and he loves it. Take a little seasoning and a little practice, but its a great little grill. Super portable and you're not going to crack it!
The BGE mini max is cool, but it's not as portable as they make it seem. Still super heavy, and not to mention its a lot of $$$.
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Black Kamado Joe Classic, Traeger Timberline 850, Jumbo Joe, KSU mini WSM, Weber Q100 |
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02-12-2018, 02:05 PM | #8 |
On the road to being a farker
Join Date: 04-12-12
Location: Kansas
Name/Nickname : Scott
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https://youtu.be/sUCocNEbKSs
Here he does a review of the mini max. It’s a good watch. I don’t own either so I don’t have an opinion either way. But from what I’ve learned the komado joes come a lil cheaper and more fully loaded. But the down side for me is the joe is harder to find and the egg is available to buy everywhere.
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UDS, Camp Chef DLX - Sear Station, Blackstone Griddle, Weber 22 LE kettle. |
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02-12-2018, 02:08 PM | #9 |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 12-20-07
Location: denton tx
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if you are looking to do lo & slo, the junior and minimax may frustrate you a bit. Both have 13"ish diameter grid, so getting ribs or brisket on them can be cumbersome. Butt and brisket cooks are a smidge long for a single load of lump on each grill.
t |
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02-12-2018, 03:38 PM | #10 |
is Blowin Smoke!
Join Date: 11-28-13
Location: North Granby, CT
Name/Nickname : Bill
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Unless you really prefer the color I don't see an advantage to paying the higher price for the BGE. As you said, in the Jr. I don't think that the KJ is the better product (where with the upgrades I do in the larger sizes) but it's not any worse either so might as well save some money for meat.
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Recteq 1070, XO 42” gas grill, Weber 36” Griddle, Blackstone pizza oven, Weber 26” kettle Gifted to various children — Kamado Joe Classic, 36” Blackstone Griddle, Weber Genesis, Rectec 680 |
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02-12-2018, 03:41 PM | #11 | |
somebody shut me the fark up.
Join Date: 01-03-14
Location: Detroit michigan
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Quote:
Id be nervous taking fragile, expensive kamodo on the go. As for the joe vs the egg which color you like better?
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Let's all just calm down and smoke a fatty |
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02-12-2018, 06:25 PM | #12 |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 02-03-16
Location: Redding, CA
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I have a 10+ year old mini Egg with nest and I love it for small cooks like steaks, burgers, dogs, chicken parts, etc but as others mentioned the small size is not optimal for smoking most meats. It’s my go-to steak griller as I can get it to 700+ for killer crusts and I’d be afraid to take my Akorn (full size) that high as I’ve seen horror stories about burning out the gaskets (same as the BGE but I think the BGE’s gaskets are easier to replace) but also ruining the paint on the Akorn and burning out the ash catcher. YMMV
The Mini Egg is very portable for 1 person but you definitely have to be very very very careful! It’s not too heavy and I’ve transported it in my trunk and backseat. Definitely take the insides out before you lay it down.
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D&D BBQ competition team, Cookers: Small BGE, Akorn, 30x20 Santa Maria grill, PBC, UDS |
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02-12-2018, 07:12 PM | #13 |
is One Chatty Farker
Join Date: 07-14-13
Location: Phoenix AZ
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I have the Akorn Jr and love the idea of being able to throw it in the back of the truck and head to the beach. We do hot dogs, burgers and brats while sipping ice cold Dos Equis in Mexico. I have had it for 10 years and abused the heck out of it and it is still cooking away. It also does not causes the Mexican Customs Agents to look twice as it is well used (i.e. dented and battered)
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Please call me Bill, William is only when I am in trouble Weber 22, Weber 22 OTG, Weber 16 and Kamado |
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02-12-2018, 08:57 PM | #14 |
Got Wood.
Join Date: 04-14-15
Location: Arlington Heights, IL
Name/Nickname : Matt
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I have the minimax and went with it because my other one is green. If you can snag a Joe Jr. at a good price like at a Costco road show or something I wouldn't hesitate. I like my minimax for small weeknight cooks and I've taken it on vacation a couple times. I would not by the BGE Platesetter, go with the Woo from the Ceramic Grill Store, I love it.
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LSG 20x42 |Humphrey's Battle Box | Large BGE |MiniMax BGE | Weber Gasser for storage |
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02-12-2018, 09:26 PM | #15 |
is one Smokin' Farker
Join Date: 07-06-17
Location: atlanta, ga
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I have the Kamado Joe Jr. I love it and it's meat searing machine but I don't know if I would pay full price for it. I got it for free when I bought the Big Kamado Joe at Costco roadshow. Joe Jr. is still pretty heavy for one person to lift and carry around. I wouldn't really say it's all that portable. It came with everything like the stand, grate grabber, ash tool, and ceramic heat defector so there's nothing extra to buy.
What I like about Joe Jr. is it heats up fast and uses such small amount of fuel. Bag of lump charcoal will last you forever. It really is fuel miser. Grill space is pretty limited but you can place the grate at lower level really close to the charcoal so you can get really great sear. It's also great little smoker but you're limited to small cuts. Last week I smoked 10 lb pork picnic and that was the biggest meat I smoked in Joe Jr. But I think optimal cook size for Joe Jr is about 6-7 lbs of meat. Full charcoal will last about 8 hours for smoking which is plenty. Here are some cooks I did on the Joe Jr. 7 small lobster tails easily fit. Oysters and fishes Round roast and chuck roast Chicken quarters Pork belly Rack of pork I've done tons more cook but you get the picture. It's everything the bigger Kamado is, just smaller. |
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