Mini with no heat deflector?


 
MKEvenson

MKEvenson

TVWBB Wizard
Amoung other cookers, I also use a UDS. One of the benefits of this cooker is that the cooking grate is 18" from the coals and there is no heat deflector. The result is that the meat drippings fall to the hot coals and the result is a fine smell and I believe a nice addition to the flavor of the meat. There is no chance of any flareup hitting the meat as it is so far above the fire.

Sooo, I am making a mini smoker as you all have, evidenced by this thread. i have yet to see anyone use theirs without a heat deflector. I know that most of you are trying to copy the cooking process of the WSM, on a smaller scale, ad this is why you add the heat deflector. (At least I am assuming this to be the case). I am just wondering if anyone has cooked with the mini and no deflector? Is the distance from fire to meat far enough to protect the meat from flare ups? Perhaps not. Kinda depends on where you place your cooking grate.
Anyway I plan on trying it when I get mine assembled, will let you all know my experience.

Anyone have a story to tell about this method with your mini?

Mark
 
Mark, I use my mini almost exclusively as a burger cooker now. I don't use a deflector and have had good results. It does get quite smokey when the fat starts hitting the coals, so much of the cook is done with the cover off to avoid too much extra smoke.

Chicken wings and drummies work out well this way, as they don't take too long to cook to done.

I am planning to do Roadside chicken this way real soon.

Here is a burger cook I did a while back. http://tvwbb.com/showthread.php?36291-Friday-Burger-and-fries

No heat deflector. Shut the bottom vent off at the end, and covered, to help melt the cheese a little better.

Looking forward to viewing your upcoming mini uds cooks!:wsm:
 
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Ed, GREAT looking burgers! Perhaps I will cook some up this evening with the SJ. Your methods are exactly why I am making the mini, the smoker part with deflector and lid on with be an extra bonus. Thanks.

Mark
 
Here is another pic for you, Mark. I cooked these two burgers yesterday for a little lunch for me. The wife was out of town. No heat deflector and used lump charcoal. They turned out great. Gives off a lot of smoke, but it smells so darn good!!:D



Also threw on a couple of boneless pork chops after the burgers. They came out great as well.

Thanks for the reminder to get more use out of this little guy.

Any progress on your build?
 
Ed M. said:
Here is another pic for you, Mark. I cooked these two burgers yesterday for a little lunch for me. The wife was out of town. No heat deflector and used lump charcoal. They turned out great. Gives off a lot of smoke, but it smells so darn good!!:D



Also threw on a couple of boneless pork chops after the burgers. They came out great as well.

Thanks for the reminder to get more use out of this little guy.

Any progress on your build?
Click to expand...

Basically it is done. I had plans to use it Sunday but my wife had a garden party for 19 of her girl friends and I took the dogs out for a few hrs. Want to do ribs 1st cook so I may have to wait till Sat since I work till 5 and want to eat before 9PM.
Thanks for the pics, I can smell it from here. Wonder if Chris can get us "smell a pic" on this forum?

Mark
 
The question is: Do you want to cook without the defuser? Cooking without the defuser, is grilling. With the defuser, it's indirect cooking. Can you grill with your mini? Absolutely
 
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