Can a charcoal grill maintain a constant high temperature?
In the example in this question I mention getting the grill to 400 Fahrenheit. This example is not in a vacuum. I really do need to roast my brussels sprouts at 400 Fahrenheit and I won't necessarily have oven space as it is Thanksgiving. So my question has evolved. Most charcoal grill recipes I have read involve temperatures in the 200 to 300 Fahrenheit range. Can I get a charcoal grill (for this example consider a Weber kettle grill) to 400 Fahrenheit and keep it there consistently?
Also, if I add smoking wood, will that change a lot? I am glazing brussels sprout in black pepper, bacon, and maple syrup if it matters and I will smoke them with whatever is available at the house. The recipe I am using involves roasting them in a pan, so I would prefer to keep it that way (lest I have to clean the grill).
Best Answer
The recipes you are referring to are probably for BBQ/smoking, rather than grilling, which happens at a much higher temperature. It is fairly easy to get a kettle-type grill to reach 400 F (and well beyond). The challenge will be maintaining your desired temperature. However, that is what the vents are for. There should be a vent on top and a vent on bottom. With a little practice, you should be able to manipulate the vents to maintain the temperature. Try to overshoot your mark by 25 - 50 degrees F before you reduce the airflow. You will get some smoke flavor from the charcoal, particularly if you use hardwood. The addition of smoking wood will add stronger smoke. For vegetables, I would stick with fruit woods.
Pictures about "Can a charcoal grill maintain a constant high temperature?"
Quick Answer about "Can a charcoal grill maintain a constant high temperature?"
For the more experienced griller, you can also regulate heat on a charcoal barbecue by considering the amount of air circulating in the barbecue. The air vents control the amount of air let into your barbecue, which in turn controls the temperature: the more air entering the barbecue, the hotter it becomes.How do you keep a temperature constant on a charcoal grill?
4 Ways to Control the Heat on a Charcoal GrillHow long will a charcoal grill stay hot?
In most cases, the coals should only take as little as fifteen to thirty minutes before they mostly burn out on their own. However, you should know it can take up to two days for your charcoal grill to fully cool down \u2013 and your charcoal may be slowly burning with the last embers for a while.How do you keep a charcoal grill going for hours?
Close the grill and adjust the side and top vents to oxygenate the fire. Opening the vents all the way will produce the maximum temperature, while gradually closing the vents will reduce air to the coals and cause the temperature to fall. Coals will burn longer when the vents are at least halfway closed.How do you keep 250 degrees on a charcoal grill?
Direct Cooking: Usually around five lit coals will get you up to 225-250\xb0F. Spread unlit coals evenly on one side of the coal grate. Place the lit coals evenly amongst the unlit coals. Place your food above the coals and put on the lid.7 TIPS to help you control the TEMPERATURE of your BBQ - BBQ Know How
More answers regarding can a charcoal grill maintain a constant high temperature?
Answer 2
The simple answer is yes. No different than trying to smoke a piece of meat 250 F for 6 hours, you can keep a grill at 400 F under the same principles.
Any wood you add in the form of chips or blocks as used in smoking will inevitably burn and burn hotter than the charcoal causing spikes in temperatures. Don't add too much at a time.
You will have to play with the vents to see what your grill wants. I would start your grill and let the temperature normalize and adjust the vents to attempt to get it down (or up) to the correct temperature.
Why does it have to be 400 F out of curiosity? I've roasted sprouts on my grill before and never cared about temps unless it was extremely low or extremely high. I cook them usually between 400-600 and just keep an eye on them. I'll put them in some aluminum foil, olive oil, salt and pepper and close it up then throw on the rack. The highest you can get it off the flame the better.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Lachlan Ross, Skitterphoto, Dan Galvani Sommavilla, Milan