First Cook w/Vortex....

[mrbill]

A lot of 'grillers' only use the Vortex wide-end up for the increased searing area.

The baskets just dont bring the heat up to the grate imo, and the side vents in the baskets push heat away, The funnel shape (acting as conical reducer) projects all heat upward w/ the Vortex

the ring really does work as advertised in that respect. as stated, I have the small sized one. I can verify that there were definitely two very different and distinct heat zones. the middle was roaring hot, but the temp outside of the ring was noticeably lower. I've used the baskets in the center for the same purpose and they did the job(of creating a two heat zones), but not nearly as noticeable as the vortex. best guess is that when using the baskets some heat passes through the openings in the side and creates a larger heat zone vs the solid sided vortex concentrating it upward.