Pellet Fan

All Things Considered => General Discussion--Food Related => Topic started by: ArborAgent on January 25, 2018, 02:24:04 PM

Title: Wings on the Kettle
Post by: ArborAgent on January 25, 2018, 02:24:04 PM: My pellet smoker is my go to for just about everything. But wings go on the kettle.

(https://i.imgur.com/EGAPojw.jpg)

I use a Vortex to make them. The Vortex does a brilliant job of creating convection heat by channeling the hot air through the center where it then goes down the sides and recirculates. It also heats indirectly.

(https://i.imgur.com/tJ6rKQn.jpg)

The wings go on in a circle along the outside. This batch had a block of hickory to give some smoke flavor.
(https://i.imgur.com/09u4Vkv.jpg)

The wings are rubbed with Kosmos Buffalo Wing Dust, Kosmos Salt and Vinegar Wing Dust, or a mix of Oakridge BBQ Dominator and Habanero Death Dust (a little death dust goes a long way!)

(https://i.imgur.com/eWlzHEi.jpg?1)
Title: Re: Wings on the Kettle
Post by: DMAXNAZ on January 25, 2018, 02:29:03 PM: What is the middle that holds the coals?
Title: Re: Wings on the Kettle
Post by: ArborAgent on January 25, 2018, 02:34:30 PM: Quote from: DMAXNAZ on January 25, 2018, 02:29:03 PM
What is the middle that holds the coals?

It's a Vortex. I don't want to break the rules so google "Vortex BBQ"
Title: Re: Wings on the Kettle
Post by: triplebq on January 25, 2018, 02:44:57 PM: Man those wings look :lick:
Title: Re: Wings on the Kettle
Post by: ArborAgent on January 25, 2018, 02:48:43 PM: Quote from: triplebq on January 25, 2018, 02:44:57 PM
Man those wings look :lick:

Thank you!! Wings and tritips are the only things I use my kettle for anymore. Lately I've smoked the tritips on my Grandslam and then sear them on the kettle.
Title: Re: Wings on the Kettle
Post by: Bentley on January 25, 2018, 03:39:15 PM: You are cooking indirect, so why is the kettle a better option then 100% hardwood?
Title: Re: Wings on the Kettle
Post by: ArborAgent on January 25, 2018, 03:43:23 PM: Quote from: Bentley on January 25, 2018, 03:39:15 PM
You are cooking indirect, so why is the kettle a better option then 100% hardwood?

The vortex cooks much hotter than I run my pellet grill. I also get the convection flow. I don't know if I'd call it better, but it is how I cook wings.
Title: Re: Wings on the Kettle
Post by: ArborAgent on January 25, 2018, 03:49:58 PM: Besides,

I can get another beer in waiting for the kettle to be ready!

(https://i.imgur.com/FO9v0ZN.jpg[)
Title: Re: Wings on the Kettle
Post by: Bentley on January 25, 2018, 04:02:54 PM: Thank you.
Title: Re: Wings on the Kettle
Post by: Free Mr. Tony on January 25, 2018, 04:23:27 PM: I made a homemade vortex out of a metal mixing bowl. It is a fantastic way to make wings especially. The skin gets perfectly crisp at magically just the right time.
Title: Re: Wings on the Kettle
Post by: ArborAgent on January 25, 2018, 04:30:44 PM: Quote from: Free Mr. Tony on January 25, 2018, 04:23:27 PM
I made a homemade vortex out of a metal mixing bowl. It is a fantastic way to make wings especially. The skin gets perfectly crisp at magically just the right time.

I started with a vortex I made out of a big dog bowl. I find the real thing does a better job for me but it's much larger than my last one. I think a large mixing bowl would do it right.
Title: Re: Wings on the Kettle
Post by: DMAXNAZ on January 26, 2018, 04:16:13 PM: Quote from: ArborAgent on January 25, 2018, 02:34:30 PM
Quote from: DMAXNAZ on January 25, 2018, 02:29:03 PM
What is the middle that holds the coals?

It's a Vortex. I don't want to break the rules so google "Vortex BBQ"

Thanks!
Title: Re: Wings on the Kettle
Post by: Conumdrum on January 26, 2018, 04:44:58 PM: I got a Vortex years ago for my kettle. It's the best thing for indirect hot cooking, like wings etc.
Title: Re: Wings on the Kettle
Post by: rwalters on January 26, 2018, 05:39:06 PM: I too have a kettle/Vortex! Killer duo :) The Slow n Sear ainâ€™t to bad either ;)
Title: Re: Wings on the Kettle
Post by: ArborAgent on January 26, 2018, 07:00:23 PM: Quote from: rwalters on January 26, 2018, 05:39:06 PM
I too have a kettle/Vortex! Killer duo :) The Slow n Sear ainâ€™t to bad either ;)

I canâ€™t justify buying a slow and sear. I have a brilliant smoker in my grand slam. I donâ€™t see myself ever using the kettle for that.
Title: Re: Wings on the Kettle
Post by: rwalters on January 26, 2018, 08:20:34 PM: Quote from: ArborAgent on January 26, 2018, 07:00:23 PM
Quote from: rwalters on January 26, 2018, 05:39:06 PM
I too have a kettle/Vortex! Killer duo :) The Slow n Sear ainâ€™t to bad either ;)

I canâ€™t justify buying a slow and sear. I have a brilliant smoker in my grand slam. I donâ€™t see myself ever using the kettle for that.
Whatâ€™s funny is that I have never used the SnS for low n slow. It turns the kettle into an incredible 2 zone cooking setup. And the searing ability is about the best Iâ€™ve ever experienced. Think Vortex but a much larger area.
Title: Re: Wings on the Kettle
Post by: ArborAgent on January 26, 2018, 09:00:45 PM: Never occurred to me to use it that way.
Title: Re: Wings on the Kettle
Post by: NorCal Smoker on January 26, 2018, 09:21:32 PM: Quote from: Bentley on January 25, 2018, 03:39:15 PM
You are cooking indirect, so why is the kettle a better option then 100% hardwood?

I don't have a Vortex, but for some reason I like my wings on the kettle better than the MAK. I cook almost everything on my pelletsmoker, but lately I only cook wings on my kettle. Can't explain why. I may have to try this Vortex!

Thanks for sharing!
Title: Re: Wings on the Kettle
Post by: ArborAgent on January 26, 2018, 09:43:13 PM: NorCal,

You sound like me (except I have a different smoker). The vortex is worth the price even if you only use it to make wings. Youâ€™ll love it. Promise.