Snow Peak BBQ Box

[Bad Voodoo]

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!!

[Scott Brady]

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?

[hochung]

just use the "force."

[Michael Slade]

I'll take a large order of 'force' to go please. Oh yeah, super-size it.

[Bad Voodoo]

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?

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]

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.

[Lynn]

The Snow Peak starter flume

Dang, that's snazzy.

Beats the heck out of my old coffee can with the bottom cut out...

But I bet it cost more

[Bad Voodoo]

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!

[Bad Voodoo]

So, like, there are only three whole people here who own these little BBQs? Really?

[James86004]

I did not know anyone besides the dudes at Expedition Exchange owned one until this thread. They are kind of pricey.