Not 100% sure why, but I did. I guess I was hoping for lower fuel use and a larger area I could use for indirect heat.
I ran it up to temp to see how it performed and burn of any nasties.
I did my normal process, 3/4 of a chimney, vents full open until 100°c, then close the vents to about half way. That would normally settle at 150°c. If I want to smoke, I would close it a bit more.
This setup got heated up a lot quicker than I expected and the heat kept building, even closing the vents down to practically closed. It hit over 200°c for over 2 hours.
As the it doesn't lose heat in the same way, it was hard to get the temps back down. So I need to be a lot more careful about how I let it heat up.
But it was efficient. Normally that amount of charcoal would last 3, maybe 4 hours. It managed 6 hours at, or above 130°c. If I hadn't wasted all that heat with the huge overshoot it would have lasted longer.
I am sure once I dial in the temp control it will be great.
by Targettio
4 Comments
Keep us up about the cook!
Am looking it for some time but cant seem to pull the trigger has there is not many reviews of it, even on yt.
Great review! I was thinking about buying the same accesory. Is there enough space between the heat diffuser and the grill grate to fit a drip pan? Is there a way to add charcoal or wood chunks while cooking without removing the heat diffuser? Thanks and congratulations for the acquisition!
I got a performer last summer. I like it, but to do indirect, you lose space on the grill. I end up using my wsm 18” just as much. I think I would like your setup. Looks like I could add another rack of ribs, or more chicken when cooking indirect. I would add a charcoal fire basket to make cleanup and coal retention easier. I generally use the minion method, and leave the old coals in for the next cook.
Interesting that temp control needed adjustments. Will have to keep that in mind if I get this.
I have a summit charcoal- its much easier to get temps down if you over shoot, ceramic is harder to bring temps up slower and lock in. Itll be a learning process