My pellet smoker is my go to for just about everything. But wings go on the kettle.




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.





The wings go on in a circle along the outside. This batch had a block of hickory to give some smoke flavor.


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!)

What is the middle that holds the coals?

What is the middle that holds the coals?

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

Man those wings look 

Man those wings look 

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.

You are cooking indirect, so why is the kettle a better option then 100% hardwood?

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.

Besides,

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

Thank you.

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 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.

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!

I got a Vortex years ago for my kettle.  It's the best thing for indirect hot cooking, like wings etc.

I too have a kettle/Vortex!  Killer duo   The Slow n Sear ain’t to bad either

I too have a kettle/Vortex!  Killer duo   The Slow n Sear ain’t to bad either

I can’t justify buying a slow and sear. I have a brilliant smoker in my grand slam. I don’t see myself ever using the kettle for that.