It's the question we get asked more than any other, usually by someone standing between a MiniMax and an XL with a slightly worried look on their face. A Big Green Egg is a big decision. It's not cheap, it's heavy, and it's going to be in your garden for a very long time. So it's worth getting the size right.
The good news is that it's not complicated. After a few years of helping customers choose, we've found it comes down to three questions: how many people you usually cook for, what you like to cook, and where the EGG is going to live. Here's how we'd talk you through it if you came in or gave us a call.
The short answer
If you're cooking for a typical family and want an EGG that can do everything, buy the Large. It's the most popular size by a long way, and it's what most of our customers go home with. The rest of this guide is for working out whether you're one of the people who'd be better off with something smaller or bigger.
| MiniMax | Large | XLarge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grid diameter | 33 cm | 46 cm | 61 cm |
| Cooks for | Up to 4 | Up to 8 | Up to 12 (and more) |
| Weight | 40 kg | 73 kg | 93 kg |
| Best for | Couples, small spaces, taking it with you | Families and most households | Big families and regular entertaining |
| Price | £925 | £1,495 | £2,050 |
MiniMax: small, portable and surprisingly capable
The MiniMax is the one people underestimate. It has a 33 cm grid, which comfortably feeds up to four, and at 40 kg with its own carrier you can actually move it. It comes with a convEGGtor too, so you can cook indirectly (low and slow, roasts and pizza) straight out of the box.
Who it suits: couples, smaller households, people with a balcony or courtyard rather than a garden, and anyone who wants to take their EGG somewhere. We've had customers buy one for the boat, the campervan or the holiday cottage, and plenty of existing EGG owners add a MiniMax as a second cooker for sides and veg. Tris takes his Minimax out on the boat or down the beach for the day.
Think twice if: you regularly cook for more than four, or you want to do big cuts like a whole brisket or a large turkey. You'll outgrow it quickly.
Large: the one most people should buy
There's a reason the Large is the bestseller. With a 46 cm grid it'll cook for up to eight without any fuss: a Sunday roast for the family, a couple of racks of ribs, or pizzas for a crowd one after another. It's also the size with the widest choice of accessories, so as you get more into it (and most people do) there's always something else you can do with it.
Who it suits: families, people who entertain now and then, and anyone who wants one EGG that can do a bit of everything. If you're not sure, this is the safe choice, and we've very rarely had a Large customer tell us they wish they'd gone smaller.
Worth knowing: the Large also comes in the special edition Onyx, a sleek black finish. It's exactly the same cooker inside, just a different look, and it's limited, so once it's gone it's gone!
XLarge: for big families and serious entertaining
The XLarge has a 61 cm grid, about 30% more cooking space than the Large, and it'll happily feed twelve. That extra room means you can cook several things at once: a few joints, a tray of veg and some flatbreads, all ready at the same time.
Who it suits: big families, people who host often, and anyone who regularly cooks large cuts or whole fish for a crowd. We find XL customers usually already know they need one, because they're the ones always doing the cooking at parties.
Think twice if: you mostly cook for two or three. A bigger EGG uses more charcoal and takes a little longer to get up to temperature, so if it's mainly midweek dinners, the Large will be more practical. It's also 93 kg, so it needs a permanent home.
Choosing by cooking style
Household size is the starting point. Every EGG is capable of all of these cooking styles, but what you like to cook matters too, as not every size has the same accessories.
- Mostly grilling (steaks, burgers, sausages, fish): go by how many you feed. Any size grills brilliantly.
- Low and slow (brisket, pulled pork, ribs): you need space around the meat for the heat to circulate. We'd suggest the Large as a minimum, and you can level up with the Rotisserie or the EGG Genius.
- Pizza and baking: the Large fits a good-sized pizza stone, and the XLarge lets you cook two at once, which helps if you've got a queue of hungry people. You can also level up with the Large or XLarge pizza wedges.
- Cooking on the move: it has to be the MiniMax.
Don't forget where it's going to live
An EGG needs a base, whether that's a nest, a table or a built-in outdoor kitchen. Have a look at our Big Green Egg bases before you decide and measure the space. A Large in a table takes up more room than people expect. If you're planning your own kitchen set up then our guide to creating your ideal outdoor cooking space will help.
If you're starting from scratch, our Big Green Egg bundles put the EGG, a base and the key accessories together, which is usually the easiest way to get set up.
Still not sure? Come and see them
Honestly, the best way to choose is to stand next to them. Come over to the showroom in East Portlemouth and you can see the sizes side by side, lift the lids and talk it through with us. We'd much rather spend time helping you get the right one than have you go home with the wrong one. If you can't make it in, give us a call on 01548 844122 and we'll talk you through it.
Once your EGG arrives, our guides to lighting a Big Green Egg and getting started as a new owner will get you cooking straight away.