Reverse Sear on a UDS

Just BS · Feb 23, 2013

Has any one tried doing a reverse sear on a UDS?

I thought I'd smoke a Tri-Tip on a UDS and then open all of the intakes and take the lid off to get it hot enough to sear.

Thoughts?

Toney Marconi · Feb 23, 2013

I doubt you'd be able to get it hot enough.

Just BS · Feb 23, 2013

Toney Marconi said:
I doubt you'd be able to get it hot enough.

Really? Even with the lid off AND all of the intakes open? That thing gets hot just taking the lid off....But that's why I'm asking.

flyingbassman5 · Feb 23, 2013

Is there anyway you can set the charcoal basket higher? I have the option on my UDS to place a grate right above the charcoal basket for a diffuser or water pan. Also serves the purpose of elevating the basket to just bellow the cooking grates so I can hit grilling temps. That would certainly work for your situation if that option is available to you.

$billBBQ · Feb 23, 2013

With all the vents I have gotten my drum over. 450. How close is your grate to the fire or maybe drop a smaller grate on the top of your fire box

Toney Marconi · Feb 23, 2013

I smoked a big assed Ribeye on the UDS and finished it off on my gasser. The thermo on the gasser had started going around a second time (it tops out at 550) so I'm guessing it was close to 700 degrees. I say try it. If it doesn't get hot enough, finish it off in a hot skillet.

Moose · Feb 23, 2013

I agree on raising your firebasket. I use two half cinder blocks, either on their side if I want it lower, or on their bottoms when I do chicken on high heat, so no reason you couldn't get good results by opening the vents up all the way at the end for the final sear.

Carbon · Feb 23, 2013

I'd say it's more practical to do this on a kettle. It sounds like a lot of hassle performing this procedure on a UDS.

Just BS · Mar 16, 2013

Carbon said:
I'd say it's more practical to do this on a kettle. It sounds like a lot of hassle performing this procedure on a UDS.

I haven't done much smoking on my Weber. It gets pretty warm in there. In the past I always seared on there and finished over indirect heat.

Hmmmm, thinking and writing now.... If I start my coals using the minion method on the Weber, once the meat reached the desired internal temp I could open it up to get the coals going and sear the meat. Is that how its done?

Sent from my pocket computer ( G III)

Neonnblack · Mar 16, 2013

I got my UDS hot enough to burn 900 degree paint off. I can easily get it to 500+, but its uncontrollable after that, there is no maintaining. It either continues to grow or you close it down.

Garrett · Mar 16, 2013

I have done before and it works fine, a bit of a PITA until I figured out how to get the steaks flipped over. I used a 16 gallon barrel for my fire basket and cut the top so I could set a grate on top of it. It would be easier to be able to raise the basket tho.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1363455211.731358.jpg

Moose · Mar 16, 2013

Just BS said:
I haven't done much smoking on my Weber. It gets pretty warm in there. In the past I always seared on there and finished over indirect heat.

Hmmmm, thinking and writing now.... If I start my coals using the minion method on the Weber, once the meat reached the desired internal temp I could open it up to get the coals going and sear the meat. Is that how its done? Sent from my pocket computer ( G III)

Yes, that shouldn't be a problem doing it on your Weber and would be easier than doing it on a UDS. I do something similar all the time on my Kingsford Oval, although I would say I wouldn't call it minion as the ratio of lit to unlit coals is about 40/60. Just keep your lower vents open about 1/3-1/2 open during the smoking phase, then open them all the way up several minutes before the final sear and you should be good to go.

You can see how I did this with a Tri-Tip HERE.

Smokin' D · Mar 16, 2013

I agree with raising the charcoal basket to get the heat closer to the grate. This is how we do rib eye's around here though. Smoke them to 105° internal, then remove the charcoal basket from the drum, put a cast iron grate on top and let 'er rip! Note too that I have a charcoal grate just 4" from the top of the basket just for this purpose.

Finish by pouring some butter over the top.

Always a hit and quite the show too!

swamprb · Mar 16, 2013

I've only done faux reverse sears with Tri-Tip, Ribeyes, Flank or Flat Irons on my Mini UDS. The cook grate is 6" from the top of the drum, so its very close to the coals so I'm essentially grilling, but I'll hit them low with a good amount of smoke, then pull them @ 100-105* internal and let them rest until the temps get over 350* with all 3 intakes open and the lid off and just set them back on the grate and get flame licked.

Theres no reason you couldn't do it on a 55 gallon drum, whether doing it like Smokin' D shows or using a smaller charcoal ring and raising it higher in the drum.
I'm using the Mini Cajun Bandit Smokey Joe or the Cajun Bandit Stacker on a Performer with an indirect setup for almost all my Reverse Searing duties these days-they are made for it!

Wampus · Mar 16, 2013

I've tried, but had a time getting the drum up to temp quickly with much control and without risking a grease fire. When I've done reverse sears on whole rib roasts or such, I either fire up the kettle for direct grilling and take the meat right off the UDS and put right over coals on the kettle to direct grill for a nice sear OR I've just had the inside oven up to 500 or so and bring the roasts right in and throw em in the oven to finish.

Believe me, I've had the UDS up to CRAZY temps before, unintentionally, but I sure didn't like how it turned out. With that nice coating of "gook" from all these years of cooking on it, I've had a grease fire. Pretty scary.

HeSmellsLikeSmoke · Mar 16, 2013

You might figure a way to do it, but at the end of the day, it's the wrong tool for the job.

Reverse Sear on a UDS

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