I did a big 13 hr cook last weekend so wasn't feeling up to a lot this weekend. I started missing playing with the smoker though so figured I'd just use the direct side.
I tried some pounded out pork loin steaks with onions and hatch chili chips on top one night.
I've got a BGE sitting next to the smoker but never felt like I was sacrificing anything. Have a camp chef griddle just past the egg but did't feel like I needed that either. Only limitation on the fire box is the size of the cooking space. Cooking for 2-4 people though it's great. For this meal I kept the griddle plate in the smoker while I cooked the steaks. Then when I placed it on the direct side it didn't take long to get to temp and grill the onions.
Other night I cooked some little fillets. Ok used smoker side to reverse sear but then finished on the firebox. I've found as long as you keep a clean fire the steaks don't take on much smoke. Like a hint that just adds to the complexity of flavor, which is what we prefer for our steaks. Since I don't cook the mushrooms until the steaks are resting, I might try them on the griddle plate next time as well.
Overall couldn't be happier with the direct side functionality. Really enjoying the heck out of this versatile smoker!
I tried some pounded out pork loin steaks with onions and hatch chili chips on top one night.
I've got a BGE sitting next to the smoker but never felt like I was sacrificing anything. Have a camp chef griddle just past the egg but did't feel like I needed that either. Only limitation on the fire box is the size of the cooking space. Cooking for 2-4 people though it's great. For this meal I kept the griddle plate in the smoker while I cooked the steaks. Then when I placed it on the direct side it didn't take long to get to temp and grill the onions.
Other night I cooked some little fillets. Ok used smoker side to reverse sear but then finished on the firebox. I've found as long as you keep a clean fire the steaks don't take on much smoke. Like a hint that just adds to the complexity of flavor, which is what we prefer for our steaks. Since I don't cook the mushrooms until the steaks are resting, I might try them on the griddle plate next time as well.
Overall couldn't be happier with the direct side functionality. Really enjoying the heck out of this versatile smoker!
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