OK....did my first cook on the OT+ (no pics)....Kettle "Fried" Chicken, from a recipe I found on this site....chicken turned out excellent
Random thoughts after the cook:
1. I was not prepared for such a dramatic color change when the Kettle got hot.. Wow! I now can see the appeal that so many find in owning a redhead.
2. This is the first time I have had a kettle with an ash pan. I can see how wind would be a problem. Also, with the ash catcher assembly, I can tell exactly how open my lower vents are based on the position of the handle in relation to the ash ring. But, I do appreciate the ease of removing and dumping the ashes from the ash pan and the ease of doing so makes it less likely for me to ignore the job of emptying the ashes. Also, I was not prepared for the surprise of hot coals falling out into the pan during the cook. I found it startlingly amusing.
3. I have an extra hinged grate that I will use on this kettle. But for the first cook, I wanted to use the grate it came with, which was not hinged. I now have a greater appreciation for hinged grates. How did we ever get along without them? Unhinged grates suck.
4. Lard on the grates works well.
5. The plastic work table goes well with the OT+, better than with my OKP. The OKPs two handles make it difficult to accommodate both the slide aside lid bale, and the work table. So, the work table is now staying paired with the OT+.
6. Did I mention the color change? Awesome.