Bought a vortex, now what?

TxQGuy · 01-20-2020, 02:57 PM

I blame you folks on here for this.

After seeing how many of you utilize a vortex for your grilling, I decided to order one off Amazon and am now awaiting delivery.

I'll admit that I just trusted the Brethren on this one and bought it blindly, kind of a "well, it must be pretty handy so I should get it" sorta thing.

I know it is used for indirect, 2-zone kinda grilling, but someone tell me how to best use it. What are some tips/techniques?

Like I said, it was an impulse purchase for which I blame y'all.

Mikhail · 01-20-2020, 03:03 PM

I have only seen them on a kettle. I wonder if it would work well with a PK.

drunkenmeatfist · 01-20-2020, 03:11 PM

The correct answer is to go get some wings and do them up using the vortex. As far as tips go it is pretty fool proof. You can light the coals in a chimney and dump them in if you are in a hurry or you can fill the vortex up and put a firestarter in the middle.

drunkenmeatfist · 01-20-2020, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikhail

I have only seen them on a kettle. I wonder if it would work well with a PK.

I have a PK Classic and a Vortex and have never tried this. I had the same question, but after reading around on the PK facebook group it does not appear that they are a good match. Think it has to do with airflow from the intakes.

ShadowDriver · 01-20-2020, 03:38 PM

Wings, Sausages, Steak, Corn for Elote, Potatoes... the possibilities are endless.

You don't always have to put it in the center of the cooker/grill... in fact, I often set it off to one side if I'm doing steak/potatoes/corn.

Hope it works out nicely for you... no matter what cooker you use.

Mikhail · 01-20-2020, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drunkenmeatfist

I have a PK Classic and a Vortex and have never tried this. I had the same question, but after reading around on the PK facebook group it does not appear that they are a good match. Think it has to do with airflow from the intakes.

Exactly what I was concerned with. Thanks!!!

SlickRockStones · 01-20-2020, 04:08 PM

Get a glove ‘cause the handle’s gonna get hot as hell. Also, don’t reach across the “blast zone”. It will leave a mark.

SlickRockStones · 01-20-2020, 04:28 PM

Get a glove ‘cause the handle’s gonna get hot as hell. Also, don’t reach across the “blast zone”. It will leave a mark.

TxQGuy · 01-20-2020, 04:40 PM

Thanks y'all! I don't have a Weber (I know that is what it was intended for), but I figure I can use it on my Old Smokey. Wings are sounding goooooood. I think I'll wing it up for the inaugral vortex cook.

Little Pig Barbeque · 01-20-2020, 05:56 PM

I use the vortex all of the time. It's great for a reverse sear steak. But let's be honest...its a wing cooker. Cook wings on it one time and you will see.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

sudsandswine · 01-20-2020, 06:14 PM

^^^ yep

I pull the wings win the skin gets a little bubbly (fried) and you can see the the juices starting to churn underneath the skin...usually about 40 mins for whole wing sections with a full charcoal chimney...25 mins if separate wings/drummies

SMOKE FREAK · 01-20-2020, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShadowDriver

Wings, Sausages, Steak, Corn for Elote, Potatoes... the possibilities are endless.

You don't always have to put it in the center of the cooker/grill... in fact, I often set it off to one side if I'm doing steak/potatoes/corn.

Hope it works out nicely for you... no matter what cooker you use.

The Vortex is limited "only" by your imagination.
Can be used in the volcano mode or inverted and filled for various cooking situations. Centered or not. Coals can go around the outside of the inverted V for low and slow etc...Endless possibilities...I love mine for fire roasting peppers of all kind. Extreme heat for a short time is the best way to roast em...

Enjoy your new purchase.
Hope it fits between the grates on your grill...

ShadowDriver · 01-20-2020, 08:08 PM

Great reminder.

I've absolutely loved the bigger birds cooked INSIDE the Vortex with coals OUTSIDE....

Oh, man... Appreciate the reminder as this isn't something I do nearly as much as the "normal" use of the Vortex.

Bacchus2b · 01-20-2020, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxQGuy

I blame you folks on here for this.

After seeing how many of you utilize a vortex for your grilling, I decided to order one off Amazon and am now awaiting delivery.

I'll admit that I just trusted the Brethren on this one and bought it blindly, kind of a "well, it must be pretty handy so I should get it" sorta thing.

I know it is used for indirect, 2-zone kinda grilling, but someone tell me how to best use it. What are some tips/techniques?

Like I said, it was an impulse purchase for which I blame y'all.

Go buy some wings RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!

IMG_0530 by David Miller, on Flickr

JAKs Q & brew · 01-20-2020, 10:39 PM

I was about to buy one for tailgating, but i already have charcoal baskets for my 22. I can set those up to hold coals in the middle.

What does a vortex do that I cant already do?

01-20-2020, 02:57 PM	#1
TxQGuy Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 02-01-19 Location: Texas Name/Nickname : Big C	Bought a vortex, now what? I blame you folks on here for this. After seeing how many of you utilize a vortex for your grilling, I decided to order one off Amazon and am now awaiting delivery. I'll admit that I just trusted the Brethren on this one and bought it blindly, kind of a "well, it must be pretty handy so I should get it" sorta thing. I know it is used for indirect, 2-zone kinda grilling, but someone tell me how to best use it. What are some tips/techniques? Like I said, it was an impulse purchase for which I blame y'all. __________________ [B]3/8" Pipe Custom Offset Smoker - "Ol' Reliable" #22 Jumbo Old Smokey Charcoal Grill - "Long Tall Sally"[/B] Red Oak is still Oak :cool:

01-20-2020, 03:03 PM	#2
Mikhail Babbling Farker Join Date: 06-27-15 Location: Cincinnati OH Name/Nickname : Mik	I have only seen them on a kettle. I wonder if it would work well with a PK. __________________ PK Classic Grill, Weber One Touch 22" Copper, Broil King Signet 320

01-20-2020, 03:38 PM	#5
ShadowDriver somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 11-29-12 Location: ABQ, NM Name/Nickname : Marc	Wings, Sausages, Steak, Corn for Elote, Potatoes... the possibilities are endless. You don't always have to put it in the center of the cooker/grill... in fact, I often set it off to one side if I'm doing steak/potatoes/corn. Hope it works out nicely for you... no matter what cooker you use. __________________ [B]Hardware[/B] - Weber 22.5 Kettle (Sep '16), OK Joe Longhorn (Mar '17), UUNI 3 Pizza Oven (Jan '18 ), Blue Rhino Razor Griddle (May '19), Cajun Bandit 22.5 Roti (Aug '20), Weber 26.75 Kettle (Dec '20)

01-20-2020, 04:40 PM	#9
TxQGuy Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 02-01-19 Location: Texas Name/Nickname : Big C	Thanks y'all! I don't have a Weber (I know that is what it was intended for), but I figure I can use it on my Old Smokey. Wings are sounding goooooood. I think I'll wing it up for the inaugral vortex cook. __________________ [B]3/8" Pipe Custom Offset Smoker - "Ol' Reliable" #22 Jumbo Old Smokey Charcoal Grill - "Long Tall Sally"[/B] Red Oak is still Oak :cool:

01-20-2020, 06:14 PM	#11
sudsandswine Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-23-12 Location: Kansas City	^^^ yep I pull the wings win the skin gets a little bubbly (fried) and you can see the the juices starting to churn underneath the skin...usually about 40 mins for whole wing sections with a full charcoal chimney...25 mins if separate wings/drummies __________________ Shirley Fab 250g trailer \| Primo XL kamado \| [COLOR="Red"]Red[/COLOR] Weber Limited Edition kettle + 26” kettle \| Clonesaker PDS (pretty drum smoker)

01-20-2020, 03:11 PM	#3
drunkenmeatfist is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 12-03-18 Location: Texas Name/Nickname : Sammy	The correct answer is to go get some wings and do them up using the vortex. As far as tips go it is pretty fool proof. You can light the coals in a chimney and dump them in if you are in a hurry or you can fill the vortex up and put a firestarter in the middle.

01-20-2020, 04:08 PM	#7
SlickRockStones Take a breath! Join Date: 10-19-17 Location: Knoxville,Tn. Name/Nickname : Gary	Get a glove ‘cause the handle’s gonna get hot as hell. Also, don’t reach across the “blast zone”. It will leave a mark.

01-20-2020, 04:28 PM	#8
SlickRockStones Take a breath! Join Date: 10-19-17 Location: Knoxville,Tn. Name/Nickname : Gary	Get a glove ‘cause the handle’s gonna get hot as hell. Also, don’t reach across the “blast zone”. It will leave a mark.

01-20-2020, 05:56 PM	#10
Little Pig Barbeque On the road to being a farker Join Date: 08-10-18 Location: Kentucky Name/Nickname : Jesse Robinson	I use the vortex all of the time. It's great for a reverse sear steak. But let's be honest...its a wing cooker. Cook wings on it one time and you will see. Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

01-20-2020, 08:08 PM	#13
ShadowDriver somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 11-29-12 Location: ABQ, NM Name/Nickname : Marc	Great reminder. I've absolutely loved the bigger birds cooked INSIDE the Vortex with coals OUTSIDE.... Oh, man... Appreciate the reminder as this isn't something I do nearly as much as the "normal" use of the Vortex. __________________ [B]Hardware[/B] - Weber 22.5 Kettle (Sep '16), OK Joe Longhorn (Mar '17), UUNI 3 Pizza Oven (Jan '18 ), Blue Rhino Razor Griddle (May '19), Cajun Bandit 22.5 Roti (Aug '20), Weber 26.75 Kettle (Dec '20)
	1 members found this post helpful.

01-20-2020, 10:39 PM	#15
JAKs Q & brew is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 08-29-13 Location: Los Angeles, CA Name/Nickname : Jonah	I was about to buy one for tailgating, but i already have charcoal baskets for my 22. I can set those up to hold coals in the middle. What does a vortex do that I cant already do? __________________ LSG IVC Mini, Primo Oval XL, 30" Santa Maria Grill, Carson Rodizio, Humphrey's Pint