I need a cheap and cheerful dedicated charcoal sear station..

[Hugh]

Ok, its just MCS but I need a cheap summer project. Looking to spend as little as possible but open to needing that perfect toy

I've got a 22" Kettle with SNS, a PBC and a gasser. I love cooking and searing on my Kettle (still my favorite toy), but it is less than ideal when I have a large piece of meat to sear (I do briskets in sous vide in the winter) or a large volume (say a bunch of burgers done SV for a crowd). I also don't like removing the SnS and putting bricks in etc to get a larger searing surface. Gawd that would waste minutes of my precious time! So my question...

What have others done? I'm looking at a cheap no name portable 14" kettle knock off for $20 and setting it up for permanent searing.

Feedback?

[Attjack]

You could use your SNS in reverse and put the charcoal where the SNS is not. I do that on my 26" all the time.

Or you can get a Jumbo Joe. I see Smokey Joes constantly on Craigslist for cheap usually around $20.

[Attjack]

Good idea with the drip and griddle. You could also buy an 18" grate and cut it to drop in where the SNS isn't. I've been meaning to do that with a 22" grate for my 26" Weber and adding legs to keep it at a good height for searing.

[Hugh]

Sadly, very limited options up here (Regina Saskatchewan) on Craig's List or Kajiji. Calgary Alberta slightly better but still marginal. BBQ just isn't as popular up here.

[Hugh]

Been pondering the SnS. Where I've had challenges is that the coals are often only lit roaring on one side of the basket. Takes a small space and even makes it smaller. Maybe the simplest solution of all is the most obvious, I could just light enough new coals to ensure hot well lit coals across the top for a good sear.

[BRic]

Hugh go to my post on https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/fo...triploin-steak . iam going to use this method for a steak competition . this is on pit barrel check it out .

Bert

[Hugh]

I might have to dig my grill greats back out (I've gotten away from using them). Now you have to figure out how to add the cold grate technique and you'll be rich!

[klflowers]

Smokey Joe new is $35.00 on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Weber-10020-Smokey-14-Inch-Portable/dp/B00004RALL/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=smokey+joe&qid=1554749908&s=lawn-garden&sr=1-2

[Polarbear777]

I got an extra wide chimney and sear over that. I’m thinking you could get a used/free/non working square gasser the size of a brisket, rip out the guts, add extra vents and/or a fan, and load it up with charcoal. I’d get large flat metal skewers to suspend the meat instead of using any grates.

[fzxdoc]

I like where this is going...

Kathryn

[SmokeyGator]

The big orange (or blue) home improvement stores carry cheap 14 inch kettles. The Weber one is around $35, the cheaper ones are $10 - $15 less. If all you want is heat, there you go. It’ll work.

Alternatively you have a chimney I assume. If so that thing can be turned into a furnace. Set a fire in it then use whatever you can find inexpensively for grates.

[Hugh]

OMG. HawkerXP when you put it that way its pretty compelling.

[HawkerXP]

sorry, kind of rude, but you know just giving a little dig. Hugh

[Hugh]

HawkerXP -not rude at all! You made me laff. My MCS really wants a jumbo. Its getting bad when even I can come up with a rationale.

[SMOG MAN]

When you can catch a Lodge cast iron hibachi on sale they are a versatile little cooker-sear station.

[Troutman]

Not sure what kind of gasser you have but on my Weber Summit I've got a sear zone in the middle that gets me up to about 750* using my grill grates. Not sure how big a piece of meat you're searing (you mentioned brisket) but after a SV bath I just turn the grates to the flat side and sear away. No need to light a charcoal fire if you don't need to, unless you're looking for a little bit of charcoal flavor.

I've got a JJ as well and he works good, but again having to fire up charcoal for a 5 min sear is kind of a waste.

[Potkettleblack]

This is what I do with my Genesis. It was the primary use for it last year.

[Nate]

I too am not a fan of the effort of lighting charcoal just for a quick sear.

[Spinaker]

For that price point, buy a charcoal chimney and fill it with charcoal, throw a grate over it and let it rip.

However, I would go with the Lodge SMG.

[radshop]

Great idea.

[Willard]

Do you have a 12” or larger cast iron skillet? Fill it with coals and put a grate on top. Warp 10.

[JeffJ]

Jumbo Joe.

You'll start off using it in the niche that you've intended and you'll find that you will start using it for smaller cooks, tailgates, camping, etc.

It has a way of ingratiating itself.

[JeffJ]

I know you are a huge fan of the Smokey Joe, Bones. Having cooked extensively on both I personally like the JJ much better and that's not a knock on the SJ. It is what it is. Mr. Bones

[Mr. Bones]

I havea JJ, as well, love it!

More real estate=chilled legumes!

There's jus one of me, plus a BBQ lovin cat, so an SJ is often plenty fer a quick weeknight cook that'll feed th both of us, an leave me some lunch fer work, next day.

Gotta torment my coworkers, always hettin up some smoker meat, ya know?

Did so with some center cut smoked ham steak, today.

It was huge, so used 22.5/sns last night to give it a wonderful smokey kiss...

No knock was ever perceived, here!

[JeffJ]

Dang! All of those cooker and it's just you and your cat? I'm guessing you entertain a fair amount or hold a lot of seances and feed ghosts and zombies with all of that Q you are putting out with all of those wonderful MCS-induced devices, Bones. Mr. Bones

[Old Glory]

https://www.humphreysbbq.com/collections/searing-station-grill/products/searing-station-and-portable-grill

[Troutman]

I like that thing

[klflowers]

That's a nice piece of equipment.

[JCBBQ]

Just a couple thoughts. My "searing station" is my Primo. I flip the extender rack upside down and they fit perfectly down deep in the pit - in fact they sit on the coals - so the heat can be as high as you want it and the real estate is substantial enough for any big piece of meat. Honestly, I'm not sure what $20 is going to get you but I'd probably look for a grate that fits inside your 22" Weber and have it rest right on top of the coals. Similar to what Spinaker is suggesting but making use of that you've already got and giving more space than a chimney...That's all I got.

[Hugh]

Darn it JCBBQ in the end I think your right. Easy enough just to pull the SnS and re-use whatever coals are there and add any needed new ones. Makes clean up and snuffing out the coals a breeze. I've tried Meathead's method with success where you bring the lower grate up using bricks but its clunky and messy. I also like what Polarbear777 is suggesting with the skewers as well. Should be able to not add a grate and rig something up to sit the skewers on. There's my next project.

[JCBBQ]

Hugh Polarbear777 here’s my set up using just half the Primo.

https://vimeo.com/327351958

[Timbo54]

The Lincoln Electric Inferno Torch found on Amazon would work. You could also use it to start coals and kill weeds.

[Thunder77]

I use my Akorn Junior as a dedicated sear station on burger and steak nights. I load it up with 3/4 chimney of briquettes and let it go to town! The best part is that I can shut the vents down and have charcoal left to start the next round. Shhh, don’t tell anyone I used briquettes in my kamado.
Actually, The Akorn Junior is so easy to clean up that using briquettes isn’t a great big deal. Also my Junior is a nice red color. It adds a
bit of life to my outdoor area. 😎