Half Basket of lump - does it work?

vb4677

I've been intrigued by KAB's basket divider lately, and the Father In Law just got a Primo JR 200 with their version of the divider.  I'm looking to do some brats & Italian sausages soon, and the foodie websites are all promoting a split grill with direct and indirect (hot/cold) zones. I've got some extra fire bricks I can use to block off half of my basket and create the two zones... BUT,
I'm thinking that since my LBGE is an enclosed, ceramic heatin' up kind of cooker, that the two-zone approach sorta becomes a moot point.

Anyone out there do the split basket, two-zone cooks with the lid down and still get the smokiness in the food yet the flexibility of the two zones?

SonVolt

vb4677 said:

I'm thinking that since my LBGE is an enclosed, ceramic heatin' up kind of cooker, that the two-zone approach sorta becomes a moot point.

I'm with you on this... I'd rather just use a partial heat deflector for my "cool zone". 

unoriginalusername

SonVolt said:

vb4677 said:

I'm thinking that since my LBGE is an enclosed, ceramic heatin' up kind of cooker, that the two-zone approach sorta becomes a moot point.

I'm with you on this... I'd rather just use a partial heat deflector for my "cool zone". 

I like the idea. Half a basket normally where the coal is spread out doesn’t always burn as well as when it’s in close proximity to the other pieces. Being able to have half the lump but burn like it’s full makes sense when you add in a half moon to get a hot and a cool side 

stlcharcoal

It would be more effective in the XL BGE because it's a lot more shallow with the basket/divider closer to the food.  Running a half basket in the Large is a long way from the food.

EggbertGreenII

I have used it in my XL in conjunction with the Joetisserie, and it works great with the lid closed. I know this isn't exactly what you're asking, but the KAB Divider is a great piece of equipment.

vb4677

SonVolt said:

vb4677 said:

I'm thinking that since my LBGE is an enclosed, ceramic heatin' up kind of cooker, that the two-zone approach sorta becomes a moot point.

I'm with you on this... I'd rather just use a partial heat deflector for my "cool zone". 

Yeah, I was trying to avoid buying anything more for my LBGE at the moment... saving my pennies for a FlameBoss!  But yeah, I'm really wondering how effective/viable it would be to split the basket of lump, considering it's all in the Egg together anyway.  I guess I'll just have to give it a try and see what happens...

vb4677

stlcharcoal said:

It would be more effective in the XL BGE because it's a lot more shallow with the basket/divider closer to the food.  Running a half basket in the Large is a long way from the food.

Right!  And like even in my FIL's new Primo JR, it makes sense- due to that oval shape.  But in the LBGE, it's really a vertical chimney...so I don't know if there really is such a thing as a cool side...

SonVolt

I've just had to accept that the BGE isn't a kettle and stopped trying to use it like one.... learn to adapt to it, instead of the other way around. 

vb4677

Yeah, I'm pretty convinced splitting it may not do much for me, but I'll give it a shake tomorrow night with the brats and what not... and we'll see what happens!

SonVolt

Brats don't need an indirect side, just cook them on the grate in a pan with  beer/onions so they poach away... then sear them hot right at the end. 

Mattman3969

Actually I bet you will be surprised with the way (I hate to say it) reverse seared brat turns out.   The snap of the skin it awesome and you generally don’t split the skin losing all that good flavor.  

After all that I still didn’t help you with your split bowl question.  Sorry but I gotz nuthin.  

EGGHEAD83

I’ve got the hi que basket with the divider and it works pretty well in my large. My first cook with it was brats. Cooked on the cool side then seared on the hot side. The hi que basket isn’t being produced right now but the KAB version looks like it should be just as good. 

vb4677

Mattman3969 said:

Actually I bet you will be surprised with the way (I hate to say it) reverse seared brat turns out.   The snap of the skin it awesome and you generally don’t split the skin losing all that good flavor.  

After all that I still didn’t help you with your split bowl question.  Sorry but I gotz nuthin.  

A few years prior to the LBGE, I smoked some brats in the gas smoker, then 'warmed them up' on my gas grill, and it was my BIL who mentioned he really like how that snap was... good to think about, for sure !

vb4677

EGGHEAD83 said:

I’ve got the hi que basket with the divider and it works pretty well in my large. My first cook with it was brats. Cooked on the cool side then seared on the hot side. The hi que basket isn’t being produced right now but the KAB version looks like it should be just as good. 

So, were you able to tell a substantial difference between the hot & cool sides?

EGGHEAD83

I could for sure. I didn’t use anything to measure the temp difference but when the brats were on the indirect side they were cooking and lightly browning but when on the direct side they formed a nice sear and turned into your typical looking brat. I really like having the option. Wasn’t sure if I would use it but the hi que basket came with the divider so I gave it a try and I’ve been pleased with it. 

GoldenQ

The CGS dividers work well in my XL   not sure how they would be in large