Weber Kettle Club Forums

Cooking & Food Talk => Charcoal Grilling & BBQ => Topic started by: LightningBoldtz on January 13, 2016, 05:24:57 AM

Title: Wok cooking without the bbq system
Post by: LightningBoldtz on January 13, 2016, 05:24:57 AM
So I regret that I did not get any pics of this but yesterday I cooked on my bbq system wok without the bbq system grate. 

Grate is buried in snow on my performer, I have to say, I almost like doing it this way better.  I was able to get much better air flow and the heat seemed to go further up the wok.

I guess I am saying, if you want the wok but are waiting to get the grate system first, don't.

Wok cooking on the kettle is amazing


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Title: Re: Wok cooking without the bbq system
Post by: Saugust on January 13, 2016, 05:27:25 AM
Did you set it on top of a standard grate? Or simply set it in a bed of coals? And I agree, using the wok is one of my favorite things to do on the kettle!
Title: Re: Wok cooking without the bbq system
Post by: LightningBoldtz on January 13, 2016, 06:05:32 AM

Quote from: Saugust on January 13, 2016, 05:27:25 AM
Did you set it on top of a standard grate? Or simply set it in a bed of coals? And I agree, using the wok is one of my favorite things to do on the kettle!

On a standard grate, it gave a little air flow between the coals and the wok.

When I setup the coals I use two baskets with a little space between them.  I put a single layer of unlit. Coals down the light a full chimney do coals.  This gives a very hot fir for a while.


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Title: Re: Wok cooking without the bbq system
Post by: addicted-to-smoke on January 13, 2016, 06:36:55 AM
Snow-buried Performer? Did you whisper softly to it? http://www.theonion.com/article/area-dad-stares-longingly-covered-grill-backyard-52151

Never thought about it before, but now that I do I wonder if the wok wouldn't instead be best on a standard grate, using a small Vortex. Here's why I say that:

Woks are intended to have high heat beneath the center. The sides of the wok are intentionally going to be cooler so that you can cool down cooked food and move uncooked food down into the center, yes? With wok sitting down in the system grate you might not be able to put enough coals underneath. With wok setup like you did, the sides might get too hot?
Title: Re: Wok cooking without the bbq system
Post by: MikeRocksTheRed on January 13, 2016, 06:41:02 AM
Quote from: addicted-to-smoke on January 13, 2016, 06:36:55 AM
Snow-buried Performer? Did you whisper softly to it? http://www.theonion.com/article/area-dad-stares-longingly-covered-grill-backyard-52151

Never thought about it before, but now that I do I wonder if the wok wouldn't instead be best on a standard grate, using a small Vortex. Here's why I say that:

Woks are intended to have high heat beneath the center. The sides of the wok are intentionally going to be cooler so that you can cool down cooked food and move uncooked food down into the center, yes? With wok sitting down in the system grate you might not be able to put enough coals underneath. With wok setup like you did, the sides might get too hot?

Hehe!  Gotta love the onion!
Title: Re: Wok cooking without the bbq system
Post by: LightningBoldtz on January 13, 2016, 06:56:05 AM
Quote from: addicted-to-smoke on January 13, 2016, 06:36:55 AM
Snow-buried Performer? Did you whisper softly to it? http://www.theonion.com/article/area-dad-stares-longingly-covered-grill-backyard-52151

Never thought about it before, but now that I do I wonder if the wok wouldn't instead be best on a standard grate, using a small Vortex. Here's why I say that:

Woks are intended to have high heat beneath the center. The sides of the wok are intentionally going to be cooler so that you can cool down cooked food and move uncooked food down into the center, yes? With wok sitting down in the system grate you might not be able to put enough coals underneath. With wok setup like you did, the sides might get too hot?

Yeah, my method might not have been the most technical as far as wok cooking but the results were fantastic.
Title: Re: Wok cooking without the bbq system
Post by: addicted-to-smoke on January 13, 2016, 07:05:36 AM
And don't get me wrong, results are what matters. I was just thinking out loud here.
Title: Re: Wok cooking without the bbq system
Post by: LightningBoldtz on January 13, 2016, 07:17:13 AM
I think a vortex with a wok would be a perfect match. I don't have one but might could down the road. 


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Title: Re: Wok cooking without the bbq system
Post by: addicted-to-smoke on January 13, 2016, 07:21:06 AM
Quote from: LightningBoldtz on January 13, 2016, 07:17:13 AM
I think a vortex with a wok would be a perfect match. I don't have one but might could down the road. 

And I don't have either, which is why I can sit here and "bench race" them both. :)

I think I'd be interested to use the GBS grate with nothing in the center, and support the wok by other means. Retaining the regular grate insert with any regularity and with a Vortex underneath would surely accelerate the nickel plating going south.
Title: Re: Wok cooking without the bbq system
Post by: LightningBoldtz on January 13, 2016, 07:33:26 AM
If you have Netflix look up Alton browns good  eats show the one where he makes pad thai, he cooks on a kettle on a wok with a support  for the wok. 

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Title: Re: Wok cooking without the bbq system
Post by: addicted-to-smoke on January 13, 2016, 07:38:46 AM
I will, thanks. Didn't know Good Eats was on Netflix! Been ages since we had cable TV, and I wasn't going to spend the large green for the DVDs.
Title: Re: Wok cooking without the bbq system
Post by: austin87 on January 13, 2016, 08:59:59 AM
I thought the weber wok was a round bottom wok. Is it flat to sit evenly on the regular grate?
Title: Re: Wok cooking without the bbq system
Post by: LightningBoldtz on January 13, 2016, 09:10:51 AM
Quote from: austin87 on January 13, 2016, 08:59:59 AM
I thought the weber wok was a round bottom wok. Is it flat to sit evenly on the regular grate?

The BBQ System wok is flat on the bottom and sits pretty nicely on the food grate.
Title: Re: Wok cooking without the bbq system
Post by: addicted-to-smoke on January 13, 2016, 09:41:49 AM
So Austin, think of it as having a built-in base or stand. The interior is indeed round but the exterior is flat.
Title: Re: Wok cooking without the bbq system
Post by: LightningBoldtz on January 13, 2016, 09:51:25 AM
Here is a post that I did showing the bottom

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/comparing-woks/msg187148/#msg187148
Title: Re: Wok cooking without the bbq system
Post by: austin87 on January 13, 2016, 10:47:16 AM
Cool thanks!
Title: Re: Wok cooking without the bbq system
Post by: chuck s on January 15, 2016, 05:26:34 PM
ok @addicted-to-smoke - maybe a wok weekend!!   lets talk about the possibilities!!
Title: Re: Wok cooking without the bbq system
Post by: LightningBoldtz on January 17, 2016, 05:23:16 AM
Couple lbs of meat chopped up, come oil, couple of lbs frozen veggies of choice, any other oriental trimmings(water chestnuts, bamboo shoots) and some stir fry sauce