Is there some secret to these stupid pieces of sheet metal?
This is my third try with this stupid thing and, while the cook isn't done, I'm already getting upset, knowing these things aren't going to turn out like the hype.
This is 25 minutes in. Full chimney of coals, poured in when the top ones were mostly washed over, vents completely open. Highest the lid thermometer has read is 350.
They look like rubber and I know they are going to taste like it. I'm ready to throw this thing in the garbage.
by Futrel
28 Comments
That center does not look like it’s ripping hot like it should be. Are all of your vents open?
Your coals dont look to be coaling hot enough
Make sure you pay them dry first and I like to roll in baking powder
I like to use avocado oil. 30 mins they should be done.
I think the vortex is too small for that grill. Can’t put out enough BTUs to heat the grill.
Something isn’t right. I just finished a vortex cook and the temp remained pegged.
I laid a single layer of briquettes in the bottom of the vortex. I put a couple of starter cubes in that layer. Once they were really lit I filled the vortex with unlit briquettes. Twenty minutes later max temp. Vents 100% open.
What are you doing different?
Sorry man. I’m on my second round with mine now and it’s working great. Just from looks the only thing I’m doing different is using lump. I did dry my wings since this morning, but that shouldn’t matter much with these temps.
You do seem to have a lot of wings on there…what size vortex are you using?
Are your briquettes old? Sometimes when I leave an open bag out in the humid air (even inside a covered trash can) I struggle to get high enough temps to sear.
Toss them over the vortex to finish them off real fast. They burn quick depending on the rub you use.
There’s got to be some kind of ventilation issue or an issue with the charcoal you’re using. If all of your vents are wide open and clear from ash blockage then it’s gotta be the charcoal quality or age etc
Even with a 26″ kettle a standard size vortex should at least get you to 450-500F with vents wide open. Maybe try lump charcoal which tends to run hotter.
My temp with a full load pegs 600*
Looks like you waited too long to dump the coals in. You missed their peak.
My vortex is bigger than that. Maybe you need the next size up.
How long have they been on?
I’ve been doing this longer than the vortex existed. I just use tongs to pile the coals up in the center of the grill, put the wings around the outside and grill for about 40 to 60 min, flipping every 10’ish minutes, until they’re done. I will be pulling my wings off in my grill about 10 minutes.
I also have much better results with whole wings, they always dry out if I try grilling them cut up like this, plus there’s fewer pieces to flip if you leave them whole.
Cover
Get a chimney starter, let it rock for 5-10 mins, dump it in the vortex.
Question: did you season the wings and are they fresh?
So when I use my vortex on the 22, I light a full chimney and toss the coals in before the top coals are grey and are just starting to burn. Put the lid on, open both vents all the way, and wait maybe 10 minutes. If you wait until all the coals are uniform in color it’s too late imo.
Looks like you bought the wrong size vortex. There are various sizes, this one is too small for your grill size.
If that’s a 22 inch kettle did you get the small vortex by mistake? Swear mine looks bigger. Usually I do a full chimney lit but that doesn’t fill it up I have to dump more charcoal on top. Though chimneys vary in size.
Try pouring them in once you get 2-3” flames coming out of the top the chimney. Don’t wait for them to ash over as much.
What size is that vortex? Maybe it’s the grate you have but it looks pretty tiny.
I have a 22 and mine touches the top grate. Have some chicken legs and thighs on mine as I type this.
My dedicated vortex 22 kettle is the older style that doesn’t have the heat deflector on the handle. Depending on the charcoal I use, lump sometimes, the handle gets searing, pissin’ hot. Not “wow that’s kind of hot”, I’m talking painfully hot if you just touch if it’s a slightly breezy day.
Man, I don’t know what to say, I made some of the best wings and drumsticks ever using it today.
22” kettle with a medium vortex and my temp is pegged to the max
Looks like you have a small? I use a medium and it holds quite a bit more.
In my experience there is nothing better than drying each wing and using baking powder. Corn starch is fine too but I prefer baking powder. I cook whole wings for 40 minutes, flipping the lid a quarter turn every 10 minutes. Then flip the wings and cook for another 15 minutes or so.
I can only get crispy skin if I dry and use baking powder/corn starch.
Yeah, that’s the wrong size vortex
Useful post. Thanks everybody.
First, put the smoking wood inside the vortex for a cleaner burn. Second, I also had trouble with the temp staying up with the lid fully seated. Even when using lump. I’ve found that cracking the lid a bit resolves the issue.
I don’t use the gadget to hold the coals. I just dump on one side and put the wings on the other. Never any problems getting roaring hot. Usually starts off at 400-425 with a full chimney of cools over the next hour to 350.
Use a thermometer so you can tell what temp your cooking at. That’s the real indispensable grill gadget.