Vortex Ribs and Grease Fire

[BrianGSDTexoma]

I was doing Vortex Ribs on the river yesterday and at 50 minutes opened lid to sauce. A big grease fire started at the bottom. I clean the kettle good before putting back in truck so it was clean to start. Any way to prevent this in the future? Also I been pulling legs of to store. One got crushed. I was able to fix it enough to get part way in hole. I will try to get it back into shape. Think I will get some rubber caps to put over them in the future.

 

[forktender]

Not sure about preventing the fire.
Maybe a foil pan with some water in it.

And if I remember correctly 3/4" EMT will work for legs on the weber,if you can't fix the bent one.

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

Not sure about preventing the fire.
Maybe a foil pan with some water in it.

And if I remember correctly 3/4" EMT will work for legs on the weber,if you can't fix the bent one.

With the Vortex in the middle be hard to put a pan in. The legs on the 22" are 1". I think I can fix it enough to get it in.

 

[JckDanls 07]

I line mine with foil around the vortex... It catches all the grease... easy clean up after a few cooks...

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

Brian, take some HD tin foil and line the bottom grate with it. With the vortex in the normal position… and not lining the whole grate… just around the vortex to the kettle outer wall… leaving the vortex bottom open so it still has air flow. Line the outer edge of your kettle and next to the vortex… make a lip so the grease stays contained and doesn’t leak out. I usually put a double layer. I’ve had good luck doing this as I was battling the same issue. Then after your cook and things cool down it also makes for easy clean up. Hope this makes sense and helps.

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

@JckDanls 07 Keith beat me to it as I was typing. I didn’t have a pic to share, but his pic is what I was trying to explain. Pics are worth a thousand words as they say!

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

I line mine with foil around the vortex... It catches all the grease... easy clean up after a few cooks...

Brian, take some HD tin foil and line the bottom grate with it. With the vortex in the normal position… and not lining the whole grate… just around the vortex to the kettle outer wall… leaving the vortex bottom open so it still has air flow. Line the outer edge of your kettle and next to the vortex… make a lip so the grease stays contained and doesn’t leak out. I usually put a double layer. I’ve had good luck doing this as I was battling the same issue. Then after your cook and things cool down it also makes for easy clean up. Hope this makes sense and helps.

Thanks. I going to try that next time. After fire went out put ribs back on to set sauce. Think everyone enjoyed them. For one hour ribs these are pretty good.

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

I line mine with foil around the vortex... It catches all the grease... easy clean up after a few cooks...

View attachment 735535

Brian, take some HD tin foil and line the bottom grate with it. With the vortex in the normal position… and not lining the whole grate… just around the vortex to the kettle outer wall… leaving the vortex bottom open so it still has air flow. Line the outer edge of your kettle and next to the vortex… make a lip so the grease stays contained and doesn’t leak out. I usually put a double layer. I’ve had good luck doing this as I was battling the same issue. Then after your cook and things cool down it also makes for easy clean up. Hope this makes sense and helps.

This worked good. Did a bunch of abt's Friday and the foil caught all the grease. Next time going to try foiling the grate and cutting hole out with knife.

 

[JckDanls 07]

foiling the grate and cutting hole out with knife.

The problem with that is the grease/oil runs off the edges and into/under the vortex... Then you can expect a grease fire when you open the lid...

The boat method like you/we did is really the best way...

 

[indaswamp]

I love this site! Ask and Ye shall receive!