My main reason for making these was to concentrate the heat in one area of the kettle, and still provide lots of indirect / safe zone area.
This one is the same diameter as a Smokey Joe charcoal grate.
Time to test it. I dumped a full-sized Weber chimney of lit lump charcoal.
4.5 lbs of wings went on. Intakes fully open.
After 30 minutes.
I wanted to start cycling the wings into the center after 30 minutes.
But, I didn't do it until after 45 minutes, as I was chatting with my neighbour.
Just when the wings were ready to come off after 1 hour, the temperature gauge had bottomed out.
I was very impressed with the performance, as I wanted to do high-heat wings, and this was accomplished no problem.
Another bonus with this basket
Next day, just a little shake, and the ash drops away, allowing the remaining lump to be re-used.
This next basket is half the size of a charcoal grate for a 22" kettle.
Once again, I dumped a full-sized Weber chimney of lit lump charcoal and kept the intakes fully open.
I put a cast iron (CI) pan over the charcoal with some coconut oil in it. Shortly after that, I dumped the potatoes in.
After 25 minutes, I added some sliced onions. Stirring occasionally.
The temperature pretty much settled in and didn't move much.
I find this to somewhat of a "false" reading since the CI is directly over the charcoal, absorbing lots of the heat.
After 45 minutes, the potatoes were moved to the indirect side and two 16 oz striploins went on for about 9-10 minutes.
They were removed and allowed to rest, then corn-on-the-cob went on for 10 minutes.
Both of these meals were fantastic! I am still thinking about the grilled corn
. So good!
I am very impressed with these baskets on many levels.
I did also make a couple baskets modelled after the Weber baskets, just a little bit higher. Better suited for low 'n' slow.