Searing on Large BGE

phil28

I want to cook direct just 1 or 2 steaks at a time on a Large BGE without piling up so many coals and waiting to get up to temperature. Has anyone tried using a Woo ring with their 13" grate, that moves the cooking surface downward, using fewer coals and grilling closer to the coals?

Carolina Q

I have an 8" grid that fits directly on the coals. Only did it once years ago, but it worked well. You can also go commando and just throw the meat on the coals.

But yeah, plenty of people do what you asked about.

lousubcap

Give commando aka caveman a search.  Quick read thermo, long tongs and go.  Just pull from coals to check the temp.  FWIW-

johnnyp

Yep. No problem with that plan.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

I have the CGS spider and cast iron SBGE grid. Its a Great sear rig.

Teefus

Perhaps heresy here, but I use my Weber instead. My LBGE is a fine cooker and it excels at many things. That said, grilling a couple quick steaks is Weber territory. 

Amish_BBQ

Agreed with Teefus. At the risk of being labeled a hater, while I love my XL BGE, am a big fan, and use it every week, my Weber Kettle with a Slow-N-Sear makes the better steak.

jtcBoynton

Yes

hoosier_egger

+1 on the spider and a cast iron grid. 

Amish_BBQ

Yes, the Woo Ring with a grate down low does work quite well.

phil28

thanks all for the replies. Very helpful. Was looking at buying another grill, such as a PK for this, but this may be a better solution 

Sea2Ski

I do it all the time. Go for it!  

GregW

phil28 said:

thanks all for the replies. Very helpful. Was looking at buying another grill, such as a PK for this, but this may be a better solution 

If you are interested in a PK grill, please be aware that the Original is USA made. The new 360 is not. This may be a non-issue for you.
I have an Original. It's a good grill, but sadly it ships with a Nickel-plated cooking grid. The stainless grid is a separate $80 purchase and even then is low-grade stainless that still rust.

I like my PK Original but probably wouldn't purchase it again. 
 

phil28

Thanks for the information. Was looking at the original, but w/ the ss grates and cover, it's over $500 for essentially an aluminum box on wheels. Wish there was a better compact charcoal solution. 

TEXASBGE2018

I went a more expensive route than buying an extra grate and bought a minimax, problem solved

phil28

Good solution!

The Cen-Tex Smoker

phil28 said:

thanks all for the replies. Very helpful. Was looking at buying another grill, such as a PK for this, but this may be a better solution 

I have the adjustable rig as well and it fits on top of the spider/grid. I put a stone in the A/R to do the indirect part of a cook then pull it out and sear down low in the spider. It’s a great reverse sear rig for a bge and allows 2
zone cooking pretty easily. The spider also holds the 13” stone so you can use that as the indirect piece and have more levels to cook on above. I can go 3 levels in my AR if in use the spider as the indirect setup. AND...magically a wok fits perfectly on a spider and at the perfect height.  For such a simple little thing, it does a lot! 

SonVolt

phil28 said:

Wish there was a better compact charcoal solution. 

The Weber Smokey Joe is only ~$30...  

The Cen-Tex Smoker

SonVolt said:

phil28 said:

Wish there was a better compact charcoal solution. 

The Weber Smokey Joe is only ~$30...  

I have the jumbo joe as my beach/camping grill. Great little cooker. 

jtcBoynton

phil28 said:

Good solution!

You originally asked about searing one or two steaks on the large BGE. But since you seem willing to entertain alternative solutions, consider using a charcoal starter. A $10-15 charcoal starter will get charcoal ripping at searing temps.  A small grate on top and you can sear off one steak at a time quickly.

Carolina Q

jtcBoynton said:

phil28 said:

Good solution!

You originally asked about searing one or two steaks on the large BGE. But since you seem willing to entertain alternative solutions, consider using a charcoal starter. A $10-15 charcoal starter will get charcoal ripping at searing temps.  A small grate on top and you can sear off one steak at a time quickly.

You can stir fry on it too.

phil28

Thanks. 2 more good options to try.