Another JJ Experiment

[BBcue-Z]

The purpose of this experiment was to maximize the JJ indirect cooking area and not to create low& slow environment.
Here is the plan
I started by placing the water pan from my 18.5 WSM smoker on top of the cooking grate

From the top, the pan looks like it's covering the entire surface of the grill; However, looking from the bottom, the pan concave bottom is elevated off the grate. Had the pan was totally flat, it would've prevented airflow and choked the coals.

I then placed the steamer ring and placed another cooking grate on top of it

After figuring out the setup, I started with 1 chimney worth of coals and spread them evenly across the coal grate

Then added the layers as described above.

I wrapped the water pan with foil for easy cleanup, since it was going to double as a drip pan.
Closed the lid to let it heat up

Few minutes later, the temp reached 360

I placed a spatchcock chicken on the grill. I also places 2 chunks of Hickory wood on the lower cooking grate on either side of the pan.

I like experimenting with whole chicken because the skin is a good way to judge how the heat is distributing. If there were some hot spots, the chicken skin would get brown faster in those spots. If the skin is browning evenly all around, then you'd know the heat is evenly surrounding the chicken.

An hour and 15 min later the chicken was done and the temp hovered around 360 the whole time

Let it rest for few min

Then started cutting it. The reverse side the was facing the pan was perfectly protected. Had the pan not provided a good shield from the coals, the reverse side would have been charred. And I never flipped the chicken during cooking, so the skin was facing up the whole time.


The chicken was perfectly cooked and juicy and the experiment really worked.
Now I can use the entire surface of the JJ for indirect cooking vs. just half

[1buckie]

That's like......zen....man.......


Really grate experiment.....

[WNC]

Wow, really impressive! Chicken looks great

[5280Jeff]

Excellent job! That bird looks really tender.

[BBcue-Z]

Thank you All!!

[aguyindallas]

That is an awesome looking bird. Did you brine it, or just toss it on?

[Jocool]

Nice going. I'll have to look at keeping my JJ in that case.

[Johnpv]

Nice looking bird there!

[Nate]

Nice cook. Looks delicious.

[austin87]

@BBcue-Z that full chimney is a compact and not the standard, right?

[BBcue-Z]

Thanks you ALL!!

aguyindallas,
The chicken was brined and generously seasoned on the side opposite of the skin. I don't like to put seasoning on the skin; it just burns and discolor the skin. I just salt the skin side.

Jocool,
The JJ is great take on road trips. I've been experimenting with it to maximize the grilling area and not have to take another or bigger grill.

@austin87
It was a regular size Weber chimney. I don't usually fill up the chimney to the top, only a little above the last vent hole. I have the compact chimney and tried only once with the JJ, but it didn't give me enough heat.

[austin87]

Is the steamer ring a custom item?

[1buckie]

Is the steamer ring a custom item?

It's a kitchen implement.....links contained here:

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/bbq-food-pics/2-beer-can-chickens-on-the-jj/msg145267/#msg145267

[addicted-to-smoke]

Almost didn't click on this thread since I had no idea what it'd be about ... but I'm glad I did. Love the thinking and ingenuity on this, especially as if overcomes a key limitation of the JJ's airflow due to size.

I can see how the WSM water pan could be used in place of fire bricks for other situations where you want to distribute heat. Remember, the Brinkmann 15" water pan is an alternative, and cheap but ya gotta watch the variable quality control. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0049EYYCS/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=

[BBcue-Z]

Thanks Addicted-to-smoke
You're correct; the Brinkmann pan is thinner and may have less shielding quality.
It also requires more clearance than the WSM pan, since the walls are higher.
I got the 15" Brinkmann pan for $5 at Academy Sports
http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/brinkmann-replacement-water-pan/pid-91713?N=563837843&Ntt=smoker+pan&Ntk=All