breaking in some new toys (4 cooks this week)

[AcrossFromHoss]

I've been having computer issues so haven't been able to post my last few cook. Now that my issues are behind me I thought I'd share whats been on my kettle this week. I Got a few new toys in the mail and from hoss and was really looking forward to trying these out:


After seeing peoples Vortex wing cooks I was itching to get my hands on it and fire some up myself so for its christening I loaded it up with 30 split wings in a few different rubs (jerk and two chicken rubs i got recipes for)




These were awesome. crispy skin and dripping juices but this was a costly first voyage of the vortex. It's with a heavy heart I say r.i.p to the seasoning of my kettle because this sucker got hot. like off the dial hot, my facial hair got singed off through the top vent haha Needless to say i learned my lesson not to load as much charcoal next time though having crispy wings in 45-h was pretty great. I'm going to get another kettle so I can keep high heat cooks to its own cooker. My gunky tacky lid became a flake fest and i watched 40 or so cooks of flavor fall like snow to the ground.
My 2nd cook on the vortex/new grate system was scotch bonnet rum pineapple jam glazed jerk pork chops with Caribbean spiced veggie kabobs.
rubbed and left in the fridge for 4 hours.

glaze was just the jam, hot sauce and a splash of spiced rum

added a piece of oak and later pecan.

the veggies rolled over the hot spot to get some char before pulling them.

These didn't last long enough to take pictures of the middle sorry. not much of a smoke ring as it was a quick high heat cook though they were plenty smokey along with spicy and sweet. id use less glaze on them next time but they were delicious. Me and the boys pulled them apart using our fingers with ease during the world junior hockey finals along with a few beers to celebrate gold.
My 3rd and best cook were Tatonka dusted strip steaks on the vortex/sear great combo. First cook on the cast iron grate.
mix of briquets, lump and a few half burnt pieces of oak and pecan.

left: tatonka dust right: tatonka spiked with some montreal steak spice.

finished indirect with a variety of charred bell peppers.

  I picked up a few bean, rice and cheese burritos to eat with the steak and peppers kind of steak fajita style. without a doubt the tatonka dusted strip was the best steak I've cooked. I saw a lot of people using it here and a few other boards and finally know what all the fuss was about. I won't make another steak without it it's that good. Anyway there is my last week. I had a lot of fun playing with my new toys. Still have to get something on that grill mat this weekend maybe spiced blueberry's for a pork loin or some tiny sausage  stuffed mushrooms for with another steak.

[AcrossFromHoss]

also from this week Lebanese spiced sausage stuffed mushrooms and peppers with a Lebanese/Montreal steak spiced Steak.

The peppers and mushrooms were killer My first time stuffing mushrooms on a kettle to smoke. They were like flavor bombs and will be a staple on my kettle. The steak tasted delicious with the Lebanese spice mixture added to the montreal steak spice. Notes of what im used to from a Shawarma came through I just wish i pulled it sooner it was mid well. 

[SixZeroFour]

Sweet new toys AFH! And lol on the triple post

[Bob BQ]

Looks good, AFH! I'm wondering if anyone has tried the Vortex in conjunction with the KettlePizza...

[BBcue-Z]

Congrats!!
Those are nice toys

And the food looks awesome too

[MossyMO]

Great looking cooks and great to hear your pleased with the Vortex and Tatonka Dust seasoning!

[coldkettle]

Good looking pineapple glaze steaks!

[blieb]

Looks like you're dialed in!