Has anyone ever cooked with the top off?

Sgt Pepper · August 2009

I've got a 36 inch paella pan I plan to use for a big gathering in a couple of weeks. I was thinking about removing the lid to my large egg so the pan can sit on top & I can cook the paella on the egg.

Is this a crazy idea?

stike · August 2009

is it a craxy idea?
not for paella.

most of the cook is lid open anyway.

traditional paella is done on an open fire or paella burner.

have a ball.

don't know if you'll get the full effect of the rice across the whole bottom, but give it a shot.
(try to restrain yourself, fidel... yes. we know the rice sucked when you had it here)

The Naked Whiz · August 2009

Well, a 36 inch pan would completely cover the Egg, so would you elevate it some way in order to allow airflow? Also, you couldn't have a 36 inch pan centered over a 19" cooker assuming the lid and hinge are still attached, so all the heat would be at the back of the pan. I guess you would have to constantly be rotating the pan? Seems to be a weber kettle might be more suitable since you can take the lid off and center the pan over the fire?

fishlessman · August 2009

hardest thing will be temp control. if you bring the egg to 700 degrees open the lid and shut the bottom vent completely its just about perfect for stirfrying with a wok, what needs to be done for what your doing i dont know, but if the lumps too deep and the vents open, your fire will get to hot, maybe build a wider thinner fire on a grate placed on the box under the ring. something ive seen is build a flat pit of cheap fire bricks and build a briquet fire on it, even a wood fire burned way down and cook the paella raised above it, might be easier than an egg for that size pan. either way i would want to try a few cooks

Sgt Pepper · August 2009

I was planning to take the top completely off along with the hinges. I also have one of those grid extenders that I was going to use to elevate the pan about 1/2 inch to allow the airflow.

Sgt Pepper · August 2009

I am doing this for a tailgate. Last year I did it on the ground with cinder blocks & it worked great. This year we haven't had rain for months & there is a ban on open fires.

My biggest question is the temp control. I think I will do a test run before the big cook.

Thanks to all of you for the help.

Celtic Wolf · August 2009

While you cN possibly do it the question is WHY!!

Without the lid it could be still considered an open fire.Even with the lid the authorities might still consider it it an open fire.

It will not be all that easy to get it back together again.

You will most likely toast your gasket.

What do you plan on doing with the hot ash once this is done. You can't just close the vents and call it a day.

You will only have heat over half the of the pan. How will you cook the rice over the other half?

Leave the lid on and wow the crowd with some other tasty cook.

stike · August 2009

there's no temp control

it will be on "high"

when i do paella on the egg, the fire gets going across the whole thing. raised grid helps control things, but you are open to the air....

QPete · August 2009

It will be easier if you just remove the fire box, and use it, outside the egg.
Set the fire box on a patio stone and go to town, sort like a large hibachi.

This way you don’t have to disassemble anything, and all the pieces will fit on the fire box.

Boilermaker Ben · August 2009

Cooking with my top off? Look, I've already lost my arm hair and my eyebrows. You want my chest hair to be next to go?! :P

Crimsongator · August 2009

While he did not cook with the top off, he cartainly learned about an open dome.

mollyshark · August 2009

Well..have to confess. Yes. Once, late at night. But it was dark and didn't figure anyone could see me.

mShark

Unknown · August 2009

somewhere, carey's ears just pricked up.

or something roughly similar :laugh:

Sundazes · August 2009

Yes. but the police came and I ran, :P

Has anyone ever cooked with the top off?

Comments

Categories