Charcoal baskets

[Finster]

Received a set of charcoal baskets for the 22 kettle as a gift.
I'm a snake method guy.
what are your go to methods for using these?

[Panhead John]

I’ve pretty much quit using mine since I got a vortex and SnS last year. When I was using them, most of the time I’d place them on opposite sides of the kettle from each other, leaving the middle of the pit as the off heat area. I dumped hot coals from my chimney in the baskets, then I’d place sausage or chicken wings in the middle, for the cooking area. Occasionally I’d do a steak with them also, and then sear it over the coals. They’re generally used for shorter cooks. I’ve never done the snake method.

[Mosca]

I use them with a rotisserie, but that’s it.

[Grillin Dad]

Same here

[Bkhuna]

Yup!

[Panhead John]

Yep, I forgot about using them with the rotisserie, they are good for that.

[Attjack]

Use them to create a direct heat zone.



Use them to create an indirect zone.




Use them for skewers.

[Purc]

I also have used them with the rotisserie as well as put them on top of the cooking grate and then put a perforated pizza pan on top of them to cook pizza on the kettle. I also mainly use the SnS and Vortex instead of the baskets.

[FireMan]

I gave mine away when I got the SnS. Found they were bein used as a junk basket.

[HawkerXP]

I use mine.

burgers, dogs, brats, salmon, chicken parts, kabobs ......

you can't have too many tools in the box.

[Soonerpop]

Yep

[bbqLuv]

The bigger the toolbox, the more tools are needed.

[JoeSousa]

Before I had a Vortex I put them together in the middle of the grill when I did wings. Still do the same with a couple SNS XLs on my Ranch when I need to make a LOT of wings. I also use them in my Kudu Grill to help get the coals a bit closer to the cooking grate.

For the most part you can accomplish the same thing by just making a pile but the baskets help keep that pile a bit more sturdy and together.

[jfmorris]

My Weber charcoal baskets sit under my Performer and grow rust for the most part. I don't think I've used them much at all since getting a SNS back in late 2017. When I did use them I would sit them together in the center for a direct zone, or to either side for indirect in the middle. They just don't hold enough charcoal compared to the SNS and don't burn long enough for smoking without refueling every few hours. They are nice to be able to move the charcoal around with tongs to different areas of the grill while its lit.

[Attjack]

But you can use them to make the same zone the SnS creates.

[Bbqmikeg]

Indirect grilling with the baskets heat the meat evenly on both sides.
The S&S only heats one side so you rotate the meat for even heat.
They are useful when cooking 350 on up.
plus if you turn them upside down on the cooking grate they can hold an 18” cooking grate so you can cook on two levels.