Choosing the right Big Green Egg can feel a little daunting, especially when every model offers the same exceptional cooking versatility and precise temperature control.
The main difference is cooking capacity. Think about how many people you regularly cook for, whether you often entertain, and how much space you have available. It is also worth considering the dishes you would like to prepare at the same time - not just the number of burgers that will fit on the grid.
In this guide, we compare the MiniMax, Large and XL Big Green Egg to help you find the best size for your garden, cooking style and budget.
| Model | Grid diameter | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| MiniMax | 33 cm / 13" | Smaller households, travelling and secondary cooking |
| Large | 46 cm / 18" | Most families and everyday outdoor cooking |
| XL | 61 cm / 24" | Entertaining, larger families and ambitious cooks |
MiniMax Big Green Egg
33 cm / 13" cooking grid
Compact, portable and remarkably capable, the MiniMax delivers the full Big Green Egg cooking experience in a smaller format.
Its portable design makes it a brilliant choice for camping, beach trips, weekends away or anywhere you want to enjoy proper charcoal cooking away from home. It is equally useful in smaller gardens and for couples or households that do not regularly need a large cooking area.
The MiniMax can grill, roast, smoke and bake just like the larger EGGs. It is ideal for steaks, burgers, chicken, fish, vegetables and smaller joints, while its compact cooking chamber makes it quick and economical to fire up for a midweek meal.
It is also a popular second EGG for keen outdoor cooks, allowing you to prepare a side dish or sauce at a different temperature while the main course cooks on a larger model.
Choose the MiniMax if:
- You usually cook for one to four people
- Portability is important
- You have limited outdoor space
- You want a compact second EGG
- You mainly cook quick meals or smaller dishes
Bear in mind: although extremely versatile, its smaller grid provides less flexibility when cooking several dishes or entertaining larger groups.
You can see the MiniMax Big Green Egg in person at our Lancing showroom.
Large Big Green Egg
46 cm / 18" cooking grid
The Large is the most popular Big Green Egg - and for most households, it is the ideal all-round choice.
Its generous cooking area provides plenty of room for everyday family meals while still being manageable and fuel-efficient when cooking for fewer people. Whether you want to sear steaks, roast a whole chicken, smoke a joint of meat, bake bread or cook pizzas at high temperatures, the Large gives you the space and flexibility to do it comfortably.
It is also compatible with an extensive selection of Big Green Egg accessories, allowing you to expand your setup and explore different cooking methods over time.
If you are unsure which model to choose, the Large is usually the safest option. It offers enough capacity for entertaining without taking up as much garden space as the XL.
Choose the Large if:
- You regularly cook for a family
- You want one EGG to handle almost every occasion
- You occasionally entertain friends or extended family
- You want access to a wide choice of cooking accessories
- You need a balance of capacity, versatility and footprint
Bear in mind: although it can cater for gatherings, cooks who frequently prepare several large dishes simultaneously may appreciate the additional space of the XL.
Visit our Lancing showroom to see the Large EGG displayed in a choice of base and table configurations.
XL Big Green Egg
61 cm / 24" cooking grid
The XL Big Green Egg is built for larger gatherings, ambitious menus and cooks who never want to worry about running out of space.
Its impressive 61 cm cooking grid makes it easier to prepare multiple dishes simultaneously. You can cook larger joints, several racks of ribs, multiple pizzas or a complete meal with different cooking zones - all without overcrowding the grid.
Despite its capacity, the XL retains the precise temperature control, heat retention and fuel efficiency for which Big Green Egg is known. It is a particularly good choice for larger families, frequent entertainers and anyone who enjoys batch cooking or hosting outdoor gatherings.
The extra surface area also gives experienced cooks greater freedom to create direct and indirect cooking zones within the EGG.
Choose the XL if:
- You frequently cook for larger groups
- You regularly host parties or family gatherings
- You want to cook several dishes at once
- You prepare large joints, multiple racks of ribs or larger quantities
- Maximum cooking flexibility matters more than portability or footprint
Bear in mind: the XL requires more outdoor space, and its larger accessories generally cost more than those made for the Large.
See the XL and compare it with the other Big Green Egg sizes at our Lancing showroom.
MiniMax, Large or XL: Which Should You Choose?
For most families, we recommend the Large Big Green Egg. It provides the best balance of cooking capacity, accessory choice and everyday usability.
Choose the MiniMax if space or portability is your priority, you usually cook smaller meals, or you want a second EGG to complement an existing setup.
Choose the XL if you regularly entertain, cook for a larger family or want enough room to prepare several dishes simultaneously.
If you are deciding between two sizes, it is usually worth choosing the larger model - provided you have the space and budget. Additional cooking room gives you more flexibility as your confidence and outdoor cooking ambitions grow.
Why Choose a Big Green Egg?
A Big Green Egg is far more than a conventional barbecue. Its high-quality ceramic construction retains heat exceptionally well, while its adjustable airflow provides precise control across a broad range of cooking temperatures.
With the right setup, one EGG can be used to:
- Grill steaks and burgers
- Roast meat and vegetables
- Smoke food slowly at low temperatures
- Bake bread, cakes and desserts
- Cook restaurant-style pizza
- Prepare complete one-pot meals
Big Green Egg also offers a limited lifetime warranty on the ceramic components for the original owner, subject to its warranty terms. Combined with its extensive accessory range and long-standing reputation, this makes an EGG a genuine investment in years of outdoor cooking.
Visit Greenfield Services or Order Online
Greenfield Services is an authorised Big Green Egg dealer based in Lancing, West Sussex.
Visit our showroom to compare the MiniMax, Large and XL EGGs in person, explore the different base and table options, and receive practical advice from a team that knows and cooks on the range.
You can also order online, with friendly support available before and after your purchase. We stock a wide selection of Big Green Egg accessories, tools and charcoal to help you get the most from your EGG.
Greenfield Services (Southern) Ltd
Unit 8 Quoin Estate
73 Marlborough Road
Lancing Business Park
West Sussex
BN15 8AD
Telephone: 01903 250400
Email: office@greenfieldservices.com
Online: www.greenfieldservices.com
Still unsure which EGG is right for you? Contact our team or visit the showroom and we will help you build the perfect setup for the way you want to cook.
