Do you use your kettle lid when cooking hot and fast (steaks, burgers, dogs, etc.)?

LoveBBQ · 06-29-2011, 09:15 PM

I just built my UDS and made it so that I can grill like a kettle as well. I'm still trying to get the hang of cooking with charcoal, but it is coming along pretty well. I do better on the longer cooks. So that brings me to my question.

When you cook something like steaks that are only on for a short period of time do you bother putting the lid on your kettle?

Cooking a steak to medium rare only takes a couple of minutes indirect and then a quick sear over the coals. Seems like it would be easier just to leave it off.

NorthwestBBQ · 06-29-2011, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoveBBQ

I just built my UDS and made it so that I can grill like a kettle as well. I'm still trying to get the hang of cooking with charcoal, but it is coming along pretty well. I do better on the longer cooks. So that brings me to my question.

When you cook something like steaks that are only on for a short period of time do you bother putting the lid on your kettle?

Cooking a steak to medium rare only takes a couple of minutes indirect and then a quick sear over the coals. Seems like it would be easier just to leave it off.

You are correct, sir.

jgh1204 · 06-29-2011, 09:18 PM

Only if I have to walk away and the dog is around.

J'ville Grill · 06-29-2011, 09:21 PM

I sometimes put wood chips on the coals when grilling steaks and will use the cover to allow more smoke flavor into the meat.

Blackened · 06-29-2011, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J'ville Grill

I sometimes put wood chips on the coals when grilling steaks and will use the cover to allow more smoke flavor into the meat.

Same here

NorthwestBBQ · 06-29-2011, 09:27 PM

In my experience when cooking fatty meat direct, if you cover it, it can get away from you quick. A fat fire will start and burn your precious steaks...YMMV.

Harbormaster · 06-29-2011, 09:56 PM

Using the lid on a Weber kettle is the sure fire way to prevent flare ups. It limits the amount of o2 the fire can get. Of course, that also limits the heat.

But yes, I use the lid when I cook steaks or burgers.

Hot dogs get boiled.

kcmike · 06-29-2011, 11:26 PM

I use the lid every time I fire up my Weber kettle, for both direct and indirect grilling. I also favor cooking at temperature quite a bit lower that the "surface of the sun" temp that many seem to like using when doing direct grilling. I find I can control the cooking process much easier and the end results are much more flavorful and juicy than when not using the lid.

Your lid's not just a rain cover!

NorthwestBBQ · 06-30-2011, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harbormaster

Using the lid on a Weber kettle is the sure fire way to prevent flare ups. It limits the amount of o2 the fire can get. Of course, that also limits the heat.

But yes, I use the lid when I cook steaks or burgers.

Hot dogs get boiled.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcmike

I use the lid every time I fire up my Weber kettle, for both direct and indirect grilling. I also favor cooking at temperature quite a bit lower that the "surface of the sun" temp that many seem to like using when doing direct grilling. I find I can control the cooking process much easier and the end results are much more flavorful and juicy than when not using the lid.

Your lid's not just a rain cover!

If you are only cooking the meat for less than 6 minutes per side, I personally think it is better to do it uncovered and watching it. This is especially true on gassers.

bigfootinindiana · 06-30-2011, 12:14 AM

No lid for steaks in my opinion also, in fact I would say I rarely use my lid for anything except chicken and sometimes sausage. You have to be careful using it to control flare ups cause it will soot your meat if you cover up to put one out. I find it better to just move stuff around if possible or spray some water.

propsync · 06-30-2011, 12:23 AM

Due to the distance above the heat source, only lid open. On a kettle at 6 inches from heat is a different answer. We won't go there.

DaveMW · 06-30-2011, 05:47 AM

My 2 cents... If it's thicker than the palm of your hand (when looking at it from the side) then it gets the lid. Thinner than your palm, no lid. The exception is to keep flare-ups at bay, then use that lid.

LoveBBQ · 06-30-2011, 07:33 AM

Thanks for the responses everyone. I figured opinions would vary on this, but I will try without the lid next time and see how it goes.

bigabyte · 06-30-2011, 10:19 AM

It depends what I'm cooking. If it's something that's only on for a minute or two, I don't bother with the lid. If it's on for a few minutes though, I use the lid because it helps to cook it faster.

wildflower · 06-30-2011, 10:30 AM

Hot dogs get boiled.[/QUOTE]

06-29-2011, 09:15 PM	#1
LoveBBQ On the road to being a farker Join Date: 03-29-11 Location: Monroe, NC Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Do you use your kettle lid when cooking hot and fast (steaks, burgers, dogs, etc.)? I just built my UDS and made it so that I can grill like a kettle as well. I'm still trying to get the hang of cooking with charcoal, but it is coming along pretty well. I do better on the longer cooks. So that brings me to my question. When you cook something like steaks that are only on for a short period of time do you bother putting the lid on your kettle? Cooking a steak to medium rare only takes a couple of minutes indirect and then a quick sear over the coals. Seems like it would be easier just to leave it off. __________________ Mike - UDS (born 5/22/2011) and a Weber E310 gasser

06-29-2011, 09:18 PM	#3
jgh1204 Babbling Farker Join Date: 12-26-04 Location: Selma, TX(You better slow down when you hit town) Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Only if I have to walk away and the dog is around. __________________ Wannabe BBQ Illuminati

06-29-2011, 09:21 PM	#4
J'ville Grill is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 11-18-10 Location: Jacksonville, Fl. Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I sometimes put wood chips on the coals when grilling steaks and will use the cover to allow more smoke flavor into the meat. __________________ Rick 18.5" Weber Smokey Mountain 22.5" Weber OTG with Cajun Bandit Conversion Kit Char-Griller Akorn with side cart 1999 Weber Master-Touch - bent but not broken 14.5" Weber Smokey Joe Silver

06-29-2011, 09:27 PM	#6
NorthwestBBQ somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 06-28-09 Location: Lynnwood, WA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	In my experience when cooking fatty meat direct, if you cover it, it can get away from you quick. A fat fire will start and burn your precious steaks...YMMV. __________________ Michael KCBS/PNWBA Member, Cook, CBJ & Photographer Custom Engraved Wine Barrel Lids

06-29-2011, 09:56 PM	#7
Harbormaster Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-14-06 Location: Wyocena, WI Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Using the lid on a Weber kettle is the sure fire way to prevent flare ups. It limits the amount of o2 the fire can get. Of course, that also limits the heat. But yes, I use the lid when I cook steaks or burgers. Hot dogs get boiled. __________________ Clark My Boys: Joseph (EI); Andrew (EE); Daniel (EE) My Toys: 10 WSMs (B, C, DH, DA, EZ, DZ, EO, DU, DR, EE/DU mutt); Brinkman Cimmaron; Chuckwagon Cooker; 22.5" OTG (DT); Two 22.5" Bar-B-Kettles; One 18.5" Bar-B-Kettle; Smokey Joes (A, K); Genesis Silver C (DU); 3 WGAs (EZ, DE, N); 3 SJPs (DT, DU, DR). "For when democracy becomes tyranny, those of us with rifles still get to vote"

06-29-2011, 11:26 PM	#8
kcmike is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 02-09-11 Location: Kearney, MO Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I use the lid every time I fire up my Weber kettle, for both direct and indirect grilling. I also favor cooking at temperature quite a bit lower that the "surface of the sun" temp that many seem to like using when doing direct grilling. I find I can control the cooking process much easier and the end results are much more flavorful and juicy than when not using the lid. Your lid's not just a rain cover! __________________ Mike Trump Owner & CEO, Oakridge BBQ LLC ~ Visit Oakridge BBQ ~ Lang 84D 22½" WSM Oaklahoma Joe 20x40 22½" Weber Kettle

06-30-2011, 12:14 AM	#10
bigfootinindiana Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 06-13-10 Location: AmishLand, IN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	No lid for steaks in my opinion also, in fact I would say I rarely use my lid for anything except chicken and sometimes sausage. You have to be careful using it to control flare ups cause it will soot your meat if you cover up to put one out. I find it better to just move stuff around if possible or spray some water. __________________ Jason..Seriously Ugly UDS (it gets uglier every time it rains), Heavily Modded ECB, Weber OTG

06-30-2011, 12:23 AM	#11
propsync Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 01-24-11 Location: Milwaukee, WI Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Due to the distance above the heat source, only lid open. On a kettle at 6 inches from heat is a different answer. We won't go there. __________________ What ever happened to the thick coating for that buoy grill?

06-30-2011, 05:47 AM	#12
DaveMW is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-31-10 Location: Edgewood, Kentucky via Livngston, Montana Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	My 2 cents... If it's thicker than the palm of your hand (when looking at it from the side) then it gets the lid. Thinner than your palm, no lid. The exception is to keep flare-ups at bay, then use that lid. __________________ In a perfect world every lab would have a home and every home would have a lab. There is no greater fan of fly fishing than the worm. Weber Kettle 22.5" Restored "J" - Black Weber Smoky Joe "F"- Black Weber Genesis - Black (CL Score - brand new) Weber Go-Anywhere - Black UDS which surprisingly is not black Great Outdoors Smoky Mountain Smoker

06-30-2011, 07:33 AM	#13
LoveBBQ On the road to being a farker Join Date: 03-29-11 Location: Monroe, NC Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thanks for the responses everyone. I figured opinions would vary on this, but I will try without the lid next time and see how it goes. __________________ Mike - UDS (born 5/22/2011) and a Weber E310 gasser

06-30-2011, 10:19 AM	#14
bigabyte somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-10-06 Location: Overland Fark, KS Downloads: 1 Uploads: 1	It depends what I'm cooking. If it's something that's only on for a minute or two, I don't bother with the lid. If it's on for a few minutes though, I use the lid because it helps to cook it faster. __________________ Chris Baker For great food and and an even better time join the BBQ Brethren Throwdowns *First ever recipient of the Silverfinger Award!* Yes, I own a whole bunch of BBQ crap also. *Certified MOINK Baller & IMBAS Certified MOINK Ball Judge #0003 - Get your MOINK Certification today!* The Secret Squirrel Society doesn't exist - Zero Club member

06-30-2011, 10:30 AM	#15
wildflower is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 02-03-10 Location: Frankfort, KY Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Hot dogs get boiled.[/QUOTE]

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