Vortex?

[Jerod Broussard]

I've not. Since I have a kettle, not at all interested in searing in the Pit Barrel. I'll put enough briquettes to low and slow some thick steaks in the PBC, then sear on the kettle.

[OGMrWhite]

good question, I hope someone can chime in with experience. I would guess that the distance from heat to grate is the limiting factor.

[HC in SC]

What Deuce said.

I have the medium Vortex in my 22.5 Kettle and nothing beats it for crispy chicken skin and reverse searing.

I have not tried it with the small end facing down yet.

I will add if you order, order from Owen's BBQ (http://www.owensbbq.com/vortex.html) as you will get a free bottle of their Tatonka Dust seasoning which is pretty stinking good on beef.

[_John_]

Thanks

[Drbearsec]

Anyone ever try one in a PBC? I was wondering if you could leverage to get a good sear using the unit?

[Deuce]

There was only one size when I ordered mine, before they came out with other sizes. It fits right up to the grate on my 22 1/2, in fact i had to bend my charcoal grate tabs down ever so slightly. I am pretty sure it is the one they are calling medium now.

[Guy]

I have one it is a great device.

[_John_]

They appear to have 3 sizes, which do you recommend/have?

[PenskeFile]

Just received mine yesterday and had to try it out immediately. I didn't really have the best scenario to use it though, since my wife wanted me to grill some chicken breasts.

Mostly, I just wanted to test it out to see how hot it would get. I dumped 3/4 of a Weber chimney into the vortex and then set a GrillGrate (TM) panel above it, with the flat side up. After a couple minutes, I was reading 700deg F on that grate! That should work well for future searing of steaks

I ordered mine from MadHunkyMeats and their service was great. They shipped same day and I received the Vortex two days later. I didn't realize that there are several other retailers who sell the Vortex however, and ALL of them seem to have lower prices. I just learned that by reading through this thread. Its not clear however in some cases if they are selling the same size Vortex or not.

[Medusa]

Try this...

https://www.facebook.com/vortexchimney/timeline?ref=page_internal

[Rlasky]

Not sure what I did to that hyperlink. If you copy and paste it works. I'd seen a lot of great stuff on his poultry brine and have wound up buying a lot of his products with great results. His all purpose rub is fantastic.

[Rlasky]

I got mine through http://madhunkymeats.com It's my favorite way to cook wings on the kettle and I use it all the time to sear steaks. One of those slap your forehead, can't believe no one thought of this before things. I'm sure anyone handy can replicate a similar device, but it's reasonably priced and a steal for the non-handy like myself

[Ptrbve]

I bought mine mid summer. I love it. They are great for wings. If you want, can get a nice sear on a flank steak long before it is medium. I also have a Smokenator that I like, but the Vortex was about half the price.

[Brisket Syndicate]

Thanks for the info! Looks like I may go ahead and order one up. I just wanted to hear from someone with experience using it.

[Deuce]

I have one, use it at least once a week. The things I find it good for are chicken wings, searing steaks, and inverted for low and slow with a snake. It works great on the wings, put the vortex in the center, the wings on the perimeter and they all get an even heat and come out excellent. I just ordered some firewire ( flexible kabob wire) that should work in putting kabobs around the perimeter in a circle. Anxious to try that. Putting the coals right up to the grate which is needed for a great reverse sear on a steak is probably what i like best about it. I've done a butt and a ham now on low and slow and it did good on that too. You can invert it, put a pie pan in it for moisture and drippings. For me it's been worth the money.