Thighs and leg quarters with a Vortex

  • 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.

kelbro

Smoking Fanatic
Original poster
SMF Premier Member
Mar 22, 2009
701
625
N. Carolina
Wow, this thing cooks HOT and FAST! Did some thighs and leg quarters yesterday on the 22" Weber with my new (legit) Vortex. I had rubbed in a little baking powder and left the pieces unwrapped in the fridge for about 16hrs before I lightly dusted them with my poultry rub. I foiled the grate outside the Vortex. Caught a lot of fat. Flamed up a few times too.

Got the lump/briquet coals going, dumped them in and opened top and bottom vents wide open with a block of pecan on the grate. Thermo on the lid immediately spiked. Rotated the lid 1/4 turn at about 15 mins At about 20 mins I thought I had better take a look at them. Skin was REALLY crisp already and the pieces were temping at around 150 already.

Shut the intake down to about 1/2 and finished out the cook. Decent sized thighs done to 180+/- in 30-35 min. Huge leg quarters done in 45 mins. I'm loving the Vortex. Chicken was well received and the skin was between bite-through and crisp. I hate rubbery chicken skin.

I'm thinking that next cook I'll start with the intake open about 1/2 and then finish off the skin towards the end by opening it wide open. That should give me a little more 'smoke time'.
 
Last edited:
Wow, this thing cooks HOT and FAST! Did some thighs and leg quarters yesterday on the 22" Weber with my new (legit) Vortex. I had rubbed in a little baking powder and left the pieces unwrapped in the fridge for about 16hrs before I lightly dusted them with my poultry rub. I foiled the grate outside the Vortex. Caught a lot of fat. Flamed up a few times too.

Got the lump/briquet coals going, dumped them in and opened top and bottom vents wide open with a block of pecan on the grate. Thermo on the lid immediately spiked. Rotated the lid 1/4 turn at about 15 mins At about 20 mins I thought I had better take a look at them. Skin was REALLY crisp already and the pieces were temping at around 150 already.

Shut the intake down to about 1/2 and finished out the cook. Decent sized thighs done to 180+/- in 30-35 min. Huge leg quarters done in 45 mins. I'm loving the Vortex. Chicken was well received and the skin was between bite-through and crisp. I hate rubbery chicken skin.

I'm thinking that next cook I'll start with the intake open about 1/2 and then finish off the skin towards the end by opening it wide open. That should give me a little more 'smoke time'.
I don't think it really happened, no pics 😂😂😂
 
Wow, this thing cooks HOT and FAST! Did some thighs and leg quarters yesterday on the 22" Weber with my new (legit) Vortex. I had rubbed in a little baking powder and left the pieces unwrapped in the fridge for about 16hrs before I lightly dusted them with my poultry rub. I foiled the grate outside the Vortex. Caught a lot of fat. Flamed up a few times too.

Got the lump/briquet coals going, dumped them in and opened top and bottom vents wide open with a block of pecan on the grate. Thermo on the lid immediately spiked. Rotated the lid 1/4 turn at about 15 mins At about 20 mins I thought I had better take a look at them. Skin was REALLY crisp already and the pieces were temping at around 150 already.

Shut the intake down to about 1/2 and finished out the cook. Decent sized thighs done to 180+/- in 30-35 min. Huge leg quarters done in 45 mins. I'm loving the Vortex. Chicken was well received and the skin was between bite-through and crisp. I hate rubbery chicken skin.

I'm thinking that next cook I'll start with the intake open about 1/2 and then finish off the skin towards the end by opening it wide open. That should give me a little more 'smoke time'.
Just be careful lifting the lid on the kettle. That handle can get really hot. Especially if you don't have the clam-shell handle. Also don't reach across the top of the Vortex. Unless you want to remove all hair from your forearm.

Chris
 
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Latest posts

Hot Threads

Clicky