Bad Voodoo
Unassuming Superhero
Okay, pros. I picked one of these brilliant little grills up and want to hear your tips. Dos. Don'ts. Charcoal faves. Charcoal quantities vs. heat. Let's hear it!!
Snow Peak BBQ Box
- Thread starter Bad Voodoo
- Start date
Scott Brady
Founder
Mmmmm, I like this thread.
The BBQ Box is my new favorite grilling tool for more than a few reasons, mainly the efficient cooking, cleaning and stowage.
The key that I have found is getting the coals right. This took a little time and testing to get right, but in my experience, a small pile, maybe 10 coals seems to work best, and still allows for a good sear. Don't be afraid to run the coals up tight against the grill. I also soak a few mesquite chips in water, and throw them on top of the coals. Once everything is hot and smok'in, I place the meat on the grill and then put the lid on, and control the heat and amount of smoke with the vents. The little bbq is very efficient in my experience, and is now all I use for grilling.
Who else has the BBQ Box?
The BBQ Box is my new favorite grilling tool for more than a few reasons, mainly the efficient cooking, cleaning and stowage.
The key that I have found is getting the coals right. This took a little time and testing to get right, but in my experience, a small pile, maybe 10 coals seems to work best, and still allows for a good sear. Don't be afraid to run the coals up tight against the grill. I also soak a few mesquite chips in water, and throw them on top of the coals. Once everything is hot and smok'in, I place the meat on the grill and then put the lid on, and control the heat and amount of smoke with the vents. The little bbq is very efficient in my experience, and is now all I use for grilling.
Who else has the BBQ Box?
Michael Slade
Untitled
I'll take a large order of 'force' to go please. Oh yeah, super-size it.
Bad Voodoo
Unassuming Superhero
expeditionswest said:
Great tip about the coal quantities, Scott. I might have tried more than that at first. I'm probably going to be giving some lump a try on the first go w/ a few NY Strips, some peppers, and some zucchini. Pair it with a few bottles of Chimay and we'll be in business.
The force will be strong.
Scott Brady
Founder
That is an awesome emoticon. Need to add that to the Smilies!
The coal trick was the most difficult to get right with the bbq box. Using a flume would be the easiest, but they take more space.
The Snow Peak starter flume is really nice, and folds compact, but I have been able to make it work without it after a few tests. The key seems to be keeping the pile tight and give it some time to burn before spreading them out on the coal bed.
The coal trick was the most difficult to get right with the bbq box. Using a flume would be the easiest, but they take more space.
The Snow Peak starter flume is really nice, and folds compact, but I have been able to make it work without it after a few tests. The key seems to be keeping the pile tight and give it some time to burn before spreading them out on the coal bed.
Bad Voodoo
Unassuming Superhero
Ok, so here's the dealio. I started the fire with a Weber chimney (like the Snow Peak in Scott's reply, but cylindrical. I need to get one of those Snow Peak chimneys - WAY more packable than the Weber, as they fold flat!), and wow, after doing gas for years I find these chimneys pretty amazing - hot, even coals w/o lighter fluid in about 20 minutes!! Again, amazing. Dumped about 30 hot coals into the BBQ Box at 18:25 (and damned if it's still not running a strong medium heat at 21:25); Steaks, veggies, bread, roasted marshmallows - YUM! Very efficient little grill this Snow Peak is - HIGHLY recommended!!
Thanks for the coal tip, Scott. Definitely going to back it down to about 20 coals tomorrow night based on tonight's temp longevity. I bet I end up at your original recommendation, even grilling for three!
Thanks for the coal tip, Scott. Definitely going to back it down to about 20 coals tomorrow night based on tonight's temp longevity. I bet I end up at your original recommendation, even grilling for three!
Bad Voodoo
Unassuming Superhero
So, like, there are only three whole people here who own these little BBQs? Really?
James86004
Expedition Leader
I did not know anyone besides the dudes at Expedition Exchange owned one until this thread. They are kind of pricey.
OK. I have to add a little to my earlier post. For years I've been using a chimney to get coals going, as my father before me.
Coffee cans really do work great, and their free.
Cut the bottom out so that it's just a tube. Then set it on the grate and put as much charcoal as you want in it. Pull it up a little to create an air space around the bottom (The coals will hold the can up), douse it with lighter fluid, and light 'er up.
Once the coals are going well (about 20 min.) pull the can off the coals. No dumping required. Use the can to spread the coals around.
Of course, you need something to grab the hot can with. For years I used a cheap pair of channellock pliers, but a couple of years ago I bought these really cool antique double-jointed camping potholder pliers at a yard sale. That's what I now use.
I do see the advantage of the fold-flat chemneys for travel, but I could never understand buying one of those ones you see for sale everywhere that have a wooden handle on a stainless pipe. For one thing, they have a screen inside that requires you to pick the thing up and dump it. For another, they're a lot more expensive than a used coffee can. (Detect a theme here? I'm a tight-wad, I admit it).
The coffee can I am currently using has been burnt over and over for the last 6 years, and in between burnings it lays on the ground in humid Austin, and it has yet to rust through.
Coffee cans really do work great, and their free.
Cut the bottom out so that it's just a tube. Then set it on the grate and put as much charcoal as you want in it. Pull it up a little to create an air space around the bottom (The coals will hold the can up), douse it with lighter fluid, and light 'er up.
Once the coals are going well (about 20 min.) pull the can off the coals. No dumping required. Use the can to spread the coals around.
Of course, you need something to grab the hot can with. For years I used a cheap pair of channellock pliers, but a couple of years ago I bought these really cool antique double-jointed camping potholder pliers at a yard sale. That's what I now use.
I do see the advantage of the fold-flat chemneys for travel, but I could never understand buying one of those ones you see for sale everywhere that have a wooden handle on a stainless pipe. For one thing, they have a screen inside that requires you to pick the thing up and dump it. For another, they're a lot more expensive than a used coffee can. (Detect a theme here? I'm a tight-wad, I admit it).
The coffee can I am currently using has been burnt over and over for the last 6 years, and in between burnings it lays on the ground in humid Austin, and it has yet to rust through.
James86004
Expedition Leader
Lynn said:
That is a clever use of a coffee can. Too bad they make them out of plastic now.
The kind with the wooden handle on the pipe with the screen inside is what we have, and it is very useful for pouring the hot coals on top of our Dutch oven. It is a lot easier to pour the coals on exactly how we want to with that than it is with a shovel. Our is the Lodge brand and it has held up well. My father-in-law bought an off brand at Wal-Mart, and the rivets holding the handle on fell out the first time he heated it up.
Our round chimney takes up a fair amount of space, but we fill it with charcoal as we are packing for the trip to negate that.
tdesanto
Expedition Leader
With a proper chimney, lighter fluid is never needed.
That stuff stinks and can alter the taste of the food cooked over the coals if you're not careful to let it fully burn off.
With a chimney, you can use paper or something else like small, thin wood chips. I use the non-toxic firestarters that are made out of sawdust. (there are toxic ones out there; so, look for the non-toxic ones.)
That stuff stinks and can alter the taste of the food cooked over the coals if you're not careful to let it fully burn off.
With a chimney, you can use paper or something else like small, thin wood chips. I use the non-toxic firestarters that are made out of sawdust. (there are toxic ones out there; so, look for the non-toxic ones.)
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xcmountain80
Expedition Leader
James86004 said:
To bad my coffee comes out of a bag! I Like the snow peak products I have but with each I have to save to afford them. It's mainly because I have other interest, :ar15: :safari-rig: :eatchicke :tent: and cycling. The snow peak grill $180 and flume $150 will set you back sooo $330 while worth it just not budget friendly. I know I know you get what you pay for and you only have to cry once.
Aaron