A Couple Trials Using Homemade Charcoal Baskets

[MacEggs]

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.

[TheDude]

Nice work! I would love a set, if you were closer.

[MrHoss]

I love me an experiment..............and I'd love a set........and I am closer......on my way now Mac.

[1911Ron]

Those look great, that's a great idea.

[LightningBoldtz]

Bravo, Bravo......

[Lumpy Coal]

Nice! On my list of things to make for sure. 

[Bob BQ]

Grate job! Love them… especially that SJ grate sized one. Have to add that to my never-ending project list.

[ClubChapin]

Love em. 

[Metal Mike]

[captjoe06]

These are fantastic.  What type of tools did you use to make this happen?

[HoosierKettle]

Very nice work.  Is that ss expanded or just carbon steel?


Sent from my iPhone using Weber Kettle Club mobile app

[MacEggs]

Thanks, guys!  Old thread, eh … 

The EM is not SS.  I used an angle grinder with a cut-off wheel.  Then a POS flux-core wire welder for the tacking.

I am envious of the set-up that @WMT has.

[hawgheaven]

Awesome work, and great looking foodage sir! 

[WMT]

Great job on the baskets. I love the DIY stuff. I got to agree that the weber baskets are something to be desired. For a company that builds such good grills you'd think they could put out a better basket, but then there wouldn't be great DIY threads like this. I just like the idea of these basktes keeping the hot coals from directly being up against the porcilin and the ability to move the baskets around to to have what ever cooking setup you desire. This might be a bit over the top but have you ever thought of making a long skinny one for the snake type method.
 Again Great job

EDIT: Cancel the snake ring comment. Just went through the pictures again and seen you have it covered already. Missed that picture.

[deans6571]

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.

...wow - great pics there!

I'm actually planning on using your method, with my charcoal baskets, on my Weber Master Touch, this coming weekend - sear the food in the centre over the baskets, and then move the food to the outer circle of the grill and cook over indirect heat.