Jumbo Joe as a fire pit?

[binarypaladin]

I took a vacation this weekend that demonstrated a legitimate need for a portable grill. A Jumbo Joe plus the SnS charcoal basket should be able to handle everything I need. I plan on doing more camping/outdoors type stuff too.

Is is there any reason a grill couldn’t also be used as a mini fire pit? Let’s say I wanted to mimic camping and make a little fire to roast some marshmallows on. I can’t think of a reason this would be a problem but I’m curious if I’m missing something.

[Attjack]

I think it would be fine if. It might shorten the long life of your jumbo joe a couple of years but so what?

[FireMan]

Ya ever think about diggin a hole in the ground or a circle of stones?

[binarypaladin]

Won't really work in my backyard which is almost entirely concrete at the moment. I pretty much have to use something. It's really not so much a gadget thing as it is multi purposing a gadget. I'd get the Joe for cooking while vacationing—which would have been super handy this weekend! I like using my grills as much as possible, lol.

[FireMan]

A pick or a jackhammer would be ok with concrete. 🤓

[binarypaladin]

Ha. Yes. Not gonna be here much longer though. The backyard is probably the main reason!

[Steve R.]

I doubt the firewood sticks would burn any hotter than charcoal. Probably not even as hot.

[EdF]

Don't know that this is overriding. But with our pizza oven, we start with lump to establish a base of coals. Then we add "kindling" to jack the temps up about 100F.

[Attjack]

In my experience wood has the potential to burn hotter. However, I burn wood in my 26 with my Arteflame without concern. I burn it in my old 18 too for pizza.

[binarypaladin]

Sounds like this is a non-issue. I've done pizzas in my 22" kettle and it still lives.

[JeffJ]

Like Attjack I've burned logs in my 26 + Arteflame. I've also burned logs in my Performer with the Kettle Pizza. Kettles aren't really designed to burn wood but as long as you aren't doing it real often it should be fine.

[fuzzydaddy]

Snuffing out the wood fire with the lid will be handy.

[Attjack]

Did Weber make a short 22" Jumbo Joe?

[fzxdoc]

Dunno. I have the 22" long legged Jumbo Joe (22" legs to echo the diameter of the kettle). I'm loving it--less charcoal when cooking just for 2 people and a great sear engine.

Kathryn

[Troutman]

Explain why you would want a 22" Jumbo Joe Premium (is that really a Jumbo Joe XL or a Jumbo-Jumbo Joe?) versus a standard 22" kettle? I get what you are saying fzxdoc about cooking for 2 with less charcoal but why not just use less charcoal in the kettle? Or if it's a space saver, just get a Jumbo Joe (which I love). I realize they are about $20 or so cheaper but you get a much better ash cleaning system in the kettle versus the joe. Just asking, it kind of seems like an unnecessary niche item.

[JeffJ]

To me, it would make sense if the legs folded in like a card table. That would make it portable and would provide a much bigger cooking surface than the 18" JJ (which I also love). I'm very interested to hear what Kathryn has to say regarding your question.

[fzxdoc]

Troutman and JeffJ , I was sort of in the market for a Jumbo Joe for smaller cooks and happened on the 22" Jumbo Joe at Walmart on sale for $45. Until then, I didn't even know the 22" JJ existed. I couldn't resist the deal, though.

Since I have a WSCGC (24") I have never been interested in a 22" kettle because it would be redundant. The 18" JJ was what I thought I needed to fill a gap. But at $60, it would have been more expensive and offer less grill space compared to the deal I got from Walmart on the 22"JJ.

In addition to liking it for for small, quick cooks, I appreciate the JJ for its shorter distance between the charcoal and the grill (which makes it nice for searing) and because it is easier to clean than the WSCGC. Plus it accepts the Adrenaline Barbecue charcoal basket that I already had, which can be used just like the SnS with a water pan added, as needed. So I thought its versatility would make it fun to cook on, especially for quick meals for the two of us, or when I just want to sear some sous vided meat off quickly and have more real estate than the SnS offered in my WSCGC.

I was never interested in the portability feature because it's not necessary to our lifestyle. The legs on it make it easier for me to cook on rather than setting it on top of another grill or squatting down to cook.

But honestly, for $45 for 22" Weber-quality real estate, I thought it was a good purchase. Plus I figured if I didn't like it I could give it away without a pang. But it's not going anywhere.

Kathryn

[Troutman]

Got yea, that all makes sense. I bought one of those clearance JJ at Lowe's for $30. Like you I just needed something to quick cook some steaks over charcoal and the JJ fits the bill !!! I can see where the JJ Premium would for you as well.

[JeffJ]

$45? At that price I would have bought it too, Kathryn.
fzxdoc

[JGo37]

MCS - here's what I did.

I got a smaller fire pit, ~ 30" maybe? $ 40.00

I got a 5' tripod to occasionally put over the fire pit, with a top roller and chain. $ 20.00

I got a 2' grate to hang from the tripod. $ 14.00

I also put hooks for kettles / Dutch oven on the chain - free.

I've done a butt Santa Maria style on this setup - not sure I would try that over a kettle (I own two).

I burn everything I find in the backyard in that pit. Especially this time of year.

[JeffJ]

Rustic cooking. It's something that has become increasingly appealing to me.

[JGo37]

JeffJ I agree and have used a 'Montana' fire pit camping. Dig a hole. Use a sharpened branch to dig an air feed to the bottom from an angle ~ 2' away. Fill with tinder, light, top with fuel, cover with grate or green wood. Cook. You feel like King of the Wild! You can plop a Dutch oven right in. Just refill to put out. Awesome.