There’s nothing quite like the frustration of trying to master outdoor cooking, especially when it comes to getting that perfect sear or achieving uniformly cooked, crispy chicken wings. For years, I struggled with managing heat on my charcoal grill, ending up with flare-ups, unevenly cooked food, or dried-out results. This problem wasn’t just annoying; it meant disappointing meals for family and friends and wasted ingredients, knowing that better results were possible if only I had the right tools to control the heat more effectively.
When considering a charcoal grill accessory, especially one designed to manipulate heat, you need to think about what problems you’re trying to solve. Are you tired of burnt edges and raw centers? Do you want to smoke or sear more effectively on your existing grill? An accessory that manages charcoal heat distribution can be a game-changer, providing more control over cooking zones. The ideal customer for this type of accessory is someone who already owns a charcoal grill (like a Weber Kettle, Weber Smokey Mountain, or a Kamado-style grill) and is looking to unlock its full potential beyond basic grilling. If you primarily use a gas grill, or if you’re looking for a set-it-and-forget-it smoking experience without any manual heat management, this might not be the right fit. For those folks, a dedicated smoker or a different type of gas grill accessory might be more suitable. Before buying, consider your grill size and type to ensure compatibility, think about the types of cooking you do most often (searing, indirect cooking, smoking), and consider the material and durability of the accessory.
- ✅ 【SMALL SIZE】 4 methods of cooking. Indirect cooking, direct cooking, indirect-direct & infrared.
- ✅ 【STAINLESS STEEL】 Long Lasting Stainless Steel Construction.
- ✅ 【FITS MANY GRILLS】Small size is perfect for Big Green Egg Large, Kamado, for Weber Kettle or WSM
Introducing the Vortex Small Charcoal Grill Accessory
The Vortex Small is a simple yet revolutionary charcoal grill accessory cone made from long-lasting stainless steel. Its promise is to transform your standard charcoal grill into a versatile cooking machine capable of four distinct cooking methods: direct cooking for intense searing, indirect cooking for gentle roasting, indirect-direct for a combination approach, and infrared cooking for extremely high-heat tasks like achieving ultra-crispy skin. The Vortex Small size is specifically designed to fit a range of grills, including many 18.5″ and 22.5″ Weber Kettles, Weber Smokey Mountain (WSM) smokers, Big Green Egg Large, Kamado Joe Classic, and other similar models. While similar concepts might exist, the original Vortex brand is renowned for its quality USA-made construction and effective design. It’s truly for the charcoal grilling enthusiast who wants to elevate their results without buying a whole new grill. It’s probably not for the absolute beginner just learning to light charcoal, but rather someone familiar with their grill and looking to add precision and versatility.
Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons:
Pros:
* Enables four distinct and useful cooking methods.
* Made from durable, high-quality stainless steel.
* Significantly improves heat management and consistency.
* Helps achieve incredibly crispy skin on poultry and great sears on meat.
* Compatible with a popular range of charcoal grills.
* Simple, original USA-made design.
Cons:
* Requires understanding how to place charcoal and vents for different methods.
* Takes up space on the charcoal grate.
* Can consume charcoal relatively quickly in high-heat searing modes.
* Best results often require monitoring and vent adjustments.
- 811 Square Inches: Includes 443 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates, 184 sq. in. chrome-plated warming rack and 184 sq. in. offset smoker
- This Weber kettle grill has space to hold up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press; The durable-plated steel cooking grate, crafted from premium steel, offers a resilient surface that stands up...
- Main Smoking Area: 443 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates with 184 sq. in. chrome-plated steel wire warming rack offer enough space to cook large cuts of meat.
How It Works and What You Get
Let’s dive into the core functionality and benefits of the Vortex Small. This seemingly simple metal cone is a marvel of heat dynamics when placed inside your charcoal grill. It fundamentally changes how heat and airflow interact with your coals and your food.
Creating Intense Direct Heat:
When you place the Vortex cone pointed *down* (wide end up) in the center of your charcoal grate and pile coals *inside* the cone, it creates an incredibly intense chimney effect. As the coals burn inside the restricted space, hot air and radiant heat shoot straight up through the narrow opening at the bottom and reflect off the dome of your grill, concentrating heat directly over the top of the cone. This is perfect for searing steaks, burgers, or chops to get that beautiful crust quickly. I’ve used this setup many times, and the difference in searing power compared to just piling coals in the middle is astounding. The heat is focused and scorching hot, allowing you to get a deep, flavorful sear in minutes, locking in juices. The benefit here is achieving restaurant-quality crusts on your meat without overcooking the interior.
Mastering Indirect Heat:
Flip the cone so the narrow end is pointed *up* and place the coals *around* the base of the cone on the charcoal grate. This configuration pushes the heat *out* and *around* the edges of the cone, creating a hot ring of coals. The cone itself acts as a barrier, shielding the area directly above it from radiant heat. The hot air rises around the sides and then flows back down and across the cooking grate as it exits the grill vents. This setup provides fantastic indirect heat, ideal for cooking things like whole chickens, roasts, or, my personal favorite, crispy-skinned chicken wings. By placing the food on the cooking grate *outside* the center zone directly over the cone, the food cooks evenly via convection heat. The fat renders slowly, and the skin gets incredibly crisp without burning because it’s not exposed to direct radiant heat from the coals. The benefit is perfectly cooked food with consistent results, juicy on the inside and, in the case of chicken, that sought-after crackling skin. It’s a far cry from trying to arrange coals just along the sides of the grill, which often leaves a cooler zone in the middle and hot spots near the edges.
The Indirect-Direct Approach:
This method combines the two previous setups, often used for cooking multiple items or finishing something after it’s cooked through. You can set up the cone for indirect cooking (point up, coals around) and then move food over the center for a quick sear or crisping towards the end. Or, conversely, set up for direct searing (point down, coals inside) and use the cooler outer ring for holding cooked food or cooking items that require less intense heat simultaneously. This versatility is a major benefit, allowing you to manage different cooking needs on the same grill surface simultaneously. For example, you could sear sausages over the top of the cone while gently warming buns on the outer indirect zone.
Achieving Infrared-Like Results:
While not true infrared, the intense heat generated by the direct cooking setup (cone point down, coals inside) creates a radiant heat environment akin to what dedicated infrared burners produce. This allows for incredibly fast cooking and searing at very high temperatures. It’s perfect for getting that flash sear on thin cuts or quickly crisping chicken skin from the underside. The stainless steel itself gets incredibly hot and radiates heat back upwards. The benefit here is speed and efficiency for high-heat tasks, achieving results typically only seen on grills with dedicated infrared zones.
Beyond the different cooking methods, the stainless steel construction is a key feature. Unlike cheaper alternatives or using aluminum foil setups, the Vortex Small is built to last. It withstands repeated exposure to high heat without warping or degrading. Cleaning is typically easy – most residue burns off during the high-heat cooks, and any stubborn bits can usually be scraped off. Its small size also makes it relatively easy to store. The fact that it’s USA-made and comes with a product label and brochure adds a layer of confidence in its authenticity and quality, something I appreciate in grilling accessories that live in harsh conditions. While the product description mentions a warranty, the primary benefit I’ve experienced is the sheer durability and consistent performance over extended use. It hasn’t required any special maintenance beyond the occasional scrape down. It simply sits on the charcoal grate and works, cook after cook. The compact dimensions (6.5″D x 6.5″W x 4.63″H) mean it doesn’t overwhelm smaller grills but is still substantial enough to effectively redirect heat on larger models like the 22.5″ kettle or large BGE. The included brochure provides some guidance, but experimenting with vent control is key to mastering the different temperature zones and methods. For instance, achieving those super high searing temperatures requires wide-open vents, while maintaining stable indirect heat for hours requires more careful vent management, typically using the bottom vents to control airflow and the top vent to regulate temperature and smoke. This learning process, though not a direct feature, is facilitated by the tool’s ability to create predictable heat zones once you understand the airflow dynamics.
What Others Are Saying
Searching online, it’s clear that many grillers have had positive experiences with the Vortex cone. Users frequently rave about its effectiveness for getting amazingly crispy chicken wings, calling it a “must-have.” Many report reaching impressive temperatures quickly, even in cold weather, which speaks to its efficient heat channeling. People appreciate the controlled hot spot for searing while leaving ample space for indirect cooking around the edges, noting its versatility for everything from lamb chops to ribs. Several reviewers mentioned wishing they had discovered this accessory sooner, highlighting its simple yet highly effective design. The consistency it brings to cooks and its solid construction are also commonly praised points.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to get more out of your charcoal grill, whether it’s achieving that perfect sear or consistently cooking crispy-skinned chicken, the heat management offered by the Vortex Small charcoal accessory is a game-changer. It addresses the common frustration of uneven heat and lack of precise temperature zones on standard grills. By enabling four distinct cooking methods and providing predictable heat distribution, it allows you to tackle a wider range of recipes with confidence. Its durable stainless steel construction means it’s an investment that will last. To transform your charcoal grilling results and avoid disappointing cooks, this simple cone is an incredibly effective tool. Click here to check out the Vortex Small Charcoal Grill BBQ Accessory Cone and see how it can elevate your backyard cooking.
Last update on 2025-08-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API