Slow 'n Sear - Love It

[Smoker_Boy]

I got a SNS insert a couple of weeks ago for my 22 Weber kettle.
Very impressed with the design and fabrication of it.

I was testing it last week for Low and Slow, and also for temps around 350 or so (for whole chickens).
I was using some Oklahoma Joe's charcoal I had picked up at Menards, thinking it was probably OK.

Wrong.
The stuff is difficult to regulate, burns fast but not hot. Produces a lot of ash too.
The stuff actually seems "soft" compared to Kingsford regular briquettes.

So, yesterday I went up to the orange store and got some regular Kingsford and
ran a Low and Slow test today.
Man, what a difference.

I got the Weber temp settled in around 275 @ 10 this morning, and @ 2:30 it's still holding 260.
(I went to both meat markets and was gone for an hour or so)

Tomorrow will be the first real test - baby back ribs.

[Huskee]

I use regular ol' Kingsford in mine as well. Hard to beat its availability everywhere, affordability, and its rock solid dependability. Kingsford was used in testing the SnS prototypes as well.

[Smoker_Boy]

Yeah, that's why I opted for the Kingsford instead of Royal Oak.

[KimO]

Smoker_Boy good question...

[Smoker_Boy]

KimO - As fate would have it, I'm getting ready to go up to the orange store.
If they have a bag of Embers, I'll grab it.

For science.

[Smoker_Boy]

KimO - And as fate would have it, they are out of the Embers.

[Sid P]

It’s a great tool, just make sure you follow their instructions and don’t chase temps. I really like the Cowboy briquettes that are sold by Tractor Supply, as they seem to burn a little longer and cleaner. What’s the plan for the ribs re rub, test for doneness etc?

[Smoker_Boy]

Fill up the water trough and fire it up.
I bought some new Hickory chunks, so I'll use these by themselves.

Use my usual rub and just let them go for 5 hours or so.
I'm not going to do any wrap, just put the Stubb's sauce on about 45 minutes before we want to eat.
We tend to like ribs cooked a little more than most everybody here.

I was already somewhat close to the bottom and top vent settings from the previous tests, so I just closed them both a little at the start, knowing I had much better quality briquettes.
I'll have to try the Cowboy next time I make it in to TS.

[Grillin Dad]

Big SNS fan here. Best advice I have is to follow the instructions (light a few coals in the corner before filling it up with unlit coals) and slowly bring the temp up. If you do it slowly, it'll run for 6+ hours like a champ. If you rush it, you'll chase temps all day. I generally allow an hour to bring it up to 225-250.

Also, I've found B&B's char-logs are great for long cooks. I can usually get 10 hrs using those with the SNS. But for your first cook, standard briquettes are probably best.

[Finster]

I love the char logs mixed in with briqs in my Bronco and PBC.
Haven't tried them in the SnS. How do you configure them ? mixed with briqs? organized or random placement in the holder?

[Grillin Dad]

Finster I start with a dozen or so lit briquettes and, once lit, put a base layer of briquettes on the bottom of the SNS. Then I go all char-logs on top of that base layer. The logs seem to take awhile to lite, so I think a bottom layer of briquettes helps with that, though I’ve never tried otherwise. I normally arrange the char-logs horizontally, since their length tends to vary. Once I arranged them vertically, and they seemed to burn a bit longer. But that was only one time.

[Finster]

Grillin Dad
Thanks.
always good to know little tips, and tricks, of the trade in case one might ever need them.

[RichieB]

Congratulations on the SnS. A great addition. If you already haven't already purchased the VORTEX too, you should.
As far as the O.J. briquettes, I've had an opposite experience. They burn hot, were easier to regulate temp and less ash than Kingsford Blue. I've used it in the PBJ too. Again a positive experience. For long cooks it is B&B.

[Smoker_Boy]

RichieB, maybe the OJ's I have drew some moisture??
I bought them back in November or so and they have been in the garage (unheated).

[jfmorris]

Smoker_Boy I stockpiled 60+ bags of charcoal briquettes - Kingsford - for a couple of years in a garden shed in Alabama humidity, and never had an issue. Moisture wasn’t your problem - just crappy charcoal.

[Smoker_Boy]

Grillin' Dad, that's exactly what I did.
My wife was impressed that I actually followed the directions.

I never heard of these B&B char-logs before.
I'll have to look for these to try later on when the weather warms up some.

[Smoker_Boy]

They only had 1 bag at the Ace, and no char logs. I was kinda in a hurry to get back here, so I'll ask about these next time I get on that side of town.

[RichieB]

A comment from the Char Logs. They're used to compliment the briquettes. I load up the charcoal and position 2 or 3 Logs with it. It helps extend the cooks time. Using only the Logs IMO not the best use for them and they ain't cheap.

[Smoker_Boy]

RichieB - "They ain't cheap".

You got that right.

[Panhead John]

Congrats on the SnS purchase! In addition to low and slow, it’s good for reverse seared steaks or thick cut chops too. When doing a reverse sear, I just fill my SnS about half way with all hot coals from the chimney and a couple of wood chunks on the bottom. Normally though, I’ll use my vortex for the reverse sear stuff, but the SnS works great too.

[Smoker_Boy]

Where did you buy your Vortex??

[Panhead John]

Here’s what I bought Danica, 😉 it’s just like the original Vortex but a lot cheaper……

QuliMetal BBQ Whirlpool for Weber Kettle 22 26.75 Inches WSM, Big Green Egg, Kamado Joe, Weber Smokey Mountain Charcoal Briquet Holders, Stainless Steel BBQ Kettle Barbecue Charcoal Grill Accessories https://a.co/d/7fhvOWl

[Grillin Dad]

I think I’ve got the same knock-off. I feel a little bad for not supporting the inventor, but for what it is, the Vortex is a little pricey. This was half the cost and, after 3 or so years, has held up fine.

[RichieB]

I have and use this for reverse sear. Fill, fire up, place grate on and protein to be seared.

Note the link didn't work. It's Amazon.

BBQ Dragon Round Grill Grate for Charcoal Chimneys - 9" Cooking Grate with Wood Handle - Stainless Steel Grill Rack, Fire Pit Grill Grate - BBQ Grate, Suited with Weber Charcoal

[Smoker_Boy]

Very cool!!
(or hot, I should say)

[wrgilb]

I found that B&B burns hotter, longer and with less ash than Kingford. Just my experience. B&B is available in most Ace Hardware distribution centers, so stores can special order it, if they don't stock it. Also, B&B char-logs .

[RichieB]

That's my source. They get their delivery on Thursdays.

[Smoker_Boy]

wrgilb - I'll have to check with the Ace in the town close to me.
Thanks for the info!

[Panhead John]

+1 on B & B for low n slow. If you have an Academy nearby, it’s cheaper than Ace. Also try Walmart online, they regularly have it on sale for $9.99 for a 16 lb bag, which is Academy’s everyday regular price.

[Redwng]

When I use my kettle I always use the SnS, it makes holding temps really easy.

[Michael_in_TX]

I really like my SnS insert. It helped me so much when I was first starting out several years ago. I really only smoke on my PBC now, but when I want to do something that I want to do something direct then finish indirect (like pork tenderloin), I'll always pull out the SnS and do it on the kettle.

The thing is exceptionally well made. Mine is stored outside under a stainless steel table and looks just fine.

[Finster]

mine gets most of its use on pork tenderloins too.
that and chicken breasts. I love doing those indirect with just a quick sear for a little bit of crust..

[ssennott]

As others have said SNS is a great tool, a very worthwhile purchase. When you get it dialed in you’ll like it even more. I like B&B for most my cooks.

[Smoker_Boy]

Looking forward to those ribs I bought yesterday!!

I'll try to remember to snap some pictures.
Taking pictures of my food isn't in-grained in me... yet.

[DogFaced PonySoldier]

Ohhhhh give it time, give it time. I spend more time doin' pitchers, than I do eating these days! lol

[RiverJeff]

Everyone can use 1 more pitcher!