Ill help you there, as star pointed out these "harding working event players" usually dont do events at all making the EC worth less.
Anyways the flame has a 2-3 base damage with! An extra +2 or 3 burn damage. The fire rate is almost similar if not comparable so a mini doesnt have that advantage really.
Flame Thrower: 100 EC
Dual: No
Damage: 2 + Fire damage
Spread: 0.1
Freeze: 0.1
Fire Rate: 0.1
Reload Freeze: 0.90-0.92
Auto: Yes
Clip: 30
Stack Damage
I cant really find the current stats of the minigun. Sorry.
The freeze of spamming a flame thrower is actually "ALLLOOOOT" <---- emphasizing alot lower. There is no spam hinderence at all and a low reload freeze as well as a lower reload freeE. I am not against a mini nerf but EC doesnt excuse any stats of a weapon.
This is just what I've said in the past however. For now Bar usage is just fine for me as is anyone else who owns a bar in a base. One of the best well rounded weapons that destroy both flame and mini. I do still use my spectre it tap fire amazingly.