Poor man's Vortex - Ribeyes

  • Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
SMF is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Hockeydudde

Smoking Fanatic
Original poster
Jan 31, 2022
542
655
New Mexico
Hadn't bought a grill /smoker accessory in over a year, so had an itch. Was at Walmart for "after Christmas" sales to replace some lights and happened to see a Vortex for almost half off. Snagged it.
But after we left realized the total was higher than expected. It rang up full price... So returned it.
Figured I could approx it with fire brick.
PXL_20241229_210950891.jpg

Smoked these home grown Ribeyes for about 20 minutes at 375ish.
PXL_20241229_213836005.jpg

Then seared over the coals 2 at a time.
PXL_20241229_214248782.MP.jpg

Enjoyed with mashed taters and bacon grease seared cabbage. Plate and cut shots for the finish!
PXL_20241229_220954271.jpg

PXL_20241229_221023807.MP.jpg

I want sure how it would work since it was clearly missing the radiant heat of the vortex. But it worked great for the steaks. Very happy.
I've used bricks before to approximate a slow and sear and never been super happy with the performance. Like this set up A LOT more!
Merry Christmas!
 
Hadn't bought a grill /smoker accessory in over a year, so had an itch. Was at Walmart for "after Christmas" sales to replace some lights and happened to see a Vortex for almost half off. Snagged it.
But after we left realized the total was higher than expected. It rang up full price... So returned it.
Figured I could approx it with fire brick.
View attachment 710292
Smoked these home grown Ribeyes for about 20 minutes at 375ish.
View attachment 710293
Then seared over the coals 2 at a time.
View attachment 710294
Enjoyed with mashed taters and bacon grease seared cabbage. Plate and cut shots for the finish!
View attachment 710295
View attachment 710296
I want sure how it would work since it was clearly missing the radiant heat of the vortex. But it worked great for the steaks. Very happy.
I've used bricks before to approximate a slow and sear and never been super happy with the performance. Like this set up A LOT more!
Merry Christmas!
GOOD GOD!!!!!

What a perfect meal, it all looks absolutely KILL'ER!!!

And I see you have a little redneck in you as well. I use a #10 tomato sauce can for my redneck'd slow-n-sear. If you use a can, make sure to burn a full coal load in it before cooking any food, as most food service cans have a protective coating on the inside. Furthermore, I had to cut the can down because it was too tall for my 22'' weber.

Nice work.
Dan.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SmokinEdge
I'm not sure I'd call that a Vortex, but I'd be sure hard pressed to argue with the results. Beautiful looking steaks HD.

Point for sure
Chris
 
Steaks look great! Nice work. You should be able to get some searing heat off the Slow and Sear.
 
Hadn't bought a grill /smoker accessory in over a year, so had an itch. Was at Walmart for "after Christmas" sales to replace some lights and happened to see a Vortex for almost half off. Snagged it.
But after we left realized the total was higher than expected. It rang up full price... So returned it.
Figured I could approx it with fire brick.
View attachment 710292
Smoked these home grown Ribeyes for about 20 minutes at 375ish.
View attachment 710293
Then seared over the coals 2 at a time.
View attachment 710294
Enjoyed with mashed taters and bacon grease seared cabbage. Plate and cut shots for the finish!
View attachment 710295
View attachment 710296
I want sure how it would work since it was clearly missing the radiant heat of the vortex. But it worked great for the steaks. Very happy.
I've used bricks before to approximate a slow and sear and never been super happy with the performance. Like this set up A LOT more!
Merry Christmas!
As long as it works heck yeah !!

HT
 
Great work…..

another cheap vortexy idea is look for a cheep 8-10 q stainless mixing bowl and just cut the bottom of……

Ie a pan like this………I have seen them for like 5 bills at the discount stores…..
IMG_0712.jpeg


The 7 qt one in this set would make a perfect one…..even has where to cut already marked up……
IMG_0713.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hockeydudde
Thanks for all the kind comments!
Neat idea with the bowl. I need a stainless disk to make something for my wife, so I could get a Vortex and a happy wife at the same time! That would be $11 well spent!
 
  • Like
Reactions: civilsmoker
Thanks for all the kind comments!
Neat idea with the bowl. I need a stainless disk to make something for my wife, so I could get a Vortex and a happy wife at the same time! That would be $11 well spent!
FYI, the "medium" or standard size vortex has a 12" bottom and an 8" top and is 4 5/8" high, so anything close to this ratio will work just fine, IE the small size is 6.5x10x4.675 and the large is 8.5x13x6.5..... you just need a narrow end to make a cone shape....
 
I once took a terra-cotta planter and cut from each end to get the shape and height I wanted. Worked really good for a few cooks but eventually cracked out and wasn't able to humpty dumpty it back together anymore
 
FYI, the "medium" or standard size vortex has a 12" bottom and an 8" top and is 4 5/8" high, so anything close to this ratio will work just fine, IE the small size is 6.5x10x4.675 and the large is 8.5x13x6.5..... you just need a narrow end to make a cone shape....
Thanks for the measurements. Very helpful.
I once took a terra-cotta planter and cut from each end to get the shape and height I wanted. Worked really good for a few cooks but eventually cracked out and wasn't able to humpty dumpty it back together anymore
The bricks are much more robust. These 4 have been used in several applications, dropped, gotten wet. Still solid. Only key is if they get wet, they have to be DRY before using again
 
The one I made is 9” at the bottom and 7” at top which is on the small side but at the time was the only bowl I could find spur of the moment that would maintain a 2” cone from top to bottom and still be 4 3/4” tall. Much taller and it won’t fit under the grate.
 
Any tips on best way to cut out the bottom?
It'd look like a beaver knawed it out, but I'll probably try a angle grinder.
 
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Latest posts

Hot Threads

Clicky