Had the Weber kettle for over a year and vortex--always had mediocre wings--temp on dome always just hit 400f...Never figured it out--lump coal. Always used mapp torch to hit lump in vortex to heat up..vents all open...Decided after a year to buy Charcoal chimney starter--filled it up with lump mapped torched it..waited for it to blaze with fire, put it in vortex....still temp only showing 400? So I decided to crack the lid top open about an inch--so not to fully close it...Well--- temp hit 600 and stayed that way for 45 mins.....kids said best wings yet....by the way -17 degrees last night.
So going forward will not close top all they was, could hear and see vortex blazing hot...
the vortex definitely likes oxygen
The kettle by design won't hit much over 450-475, vortex or not, it is oxygen starved. I did vortex wings last night, it was high 20's/windy and I stayed in the 425-450 range. On a hot day I see about 475. Cracking the lid really helps if you need the heat.
Yeah the lid crack technique comes in handy, vortex or not. I crack the lid when I'm searing various things. Even more crucial on a 26.
Sent from my iPhone using Weber Kettle Club (https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=91018)
How long did you cook the wings?
cooked them about 40 mins at 600 temp...took long time muddling to get the idea to leave lid gap open....will be doing this going forward for wanting higher temp, wings--burgers etc....man it was sizzling inside, you could hear the difference of heat--vortex was blazing....skin was crispy --crackling--really good colour on rub...
yes should of mentioned Toronto - 17 Celsius is around 2 Fahrenheit