I cook up a LOT of chicken wings. Sometimes I make them in the deep fryer, sometimes on the charcoal grill, sometimes on the gas grill, sometimes on the smoker, and often on the Char-Broil Big Easy. I love them any way, any time. One of my favorite ways to prepare wings is using a Vortex on my charcoal grill. This simple device gets your grill screamin’ hot, perfect for making those great crispy wings we all love. So grab a Vortex and read on! This is how to make perfect wings using a Vortex!
The Search…
I am always on a quest for the next best wing cooking idea. Recently, I discovered the best way for making crispy wings on the Char-Broil Big Easy, which came out fantastic. But, I was still looking for the best way to get crispy wings on my charcoal grill. That’s when I discovered the Vortex and Vortex chicken wings are amazing. The Vortex is an insert for your grill that let’s you concentrate the charcoal heat, making for an incredibly hot fire. As you can see below, the wings ring the Vortex, getting super hot and in just a while, crispy. And it couldn’t get any easier.
Best Thing Ever…
I couldn’t be more happy with my Vortex purchase. I purchased the small-sized model, which works fantastic on my old 18″ Weber kettle and 22″ Weber Performer grills. But, a larger model is available for the 22″-26″ cookers.
Since I originally posting this recipe, I’ve made wings on my Vortex hundreds of times. I’ve found that rotating the lid isn’t so critical (specially when cooking on a smaller grill such as the Jumbo Joe). For a little smoky flavor, throw a nice chunk of your favorite wood (I like hickory or cherry) over the Vortex about 5 minutes before you put your wings on.
The Vortex isn’t just for high-heat cooking of wings. Check out the Vortex web site for tons of other ways you can cook using the insert.
My duck fat wings made using the Vortex are crazy good too!
Perfect Wings using a Vortex
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3-4 pounds chicken wings flats and drumettes flats and drumettes separated, tips saved to make stock
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup Cajun seasoning or your favorite rub or seasoning
- Your favorite wing sauce
Instructions
- Place the wings into a large resealable container or baggie.
- Add the oil and seasoning. Seal and shake to coat well.
- Refrigerate for 3 hours.
- Place the Vortex into the center of your grill. Open the bottom vents on your grill by 1/3, while keeping the top vent open completely.
- Light a charcoal chimney full of charcoal. Alternatively, you can fill your Vortex with charcoal and light them inside the unit.
- Let the charcoal get fully ashed over then add to the Vortex.
- Add the chicken as shown in the picture above. For the flats have the skin side up, and for the drumettes keep the meaty part away from the fire.
- Close the grill and cook for 15 minutes.
- Rotate the lid 90 degrees and cook for another 15 minutes.
- Flip the wings. Rotate another 90 degrees and cook 15 more minutes.
- Check if the wings are as crispy as you like. If not, rotate another 90 degrees and cook another 15 minutes.
- Transfer wings to a bowl and toss with the wing sauce. Click here for our guide on how to sauce your wings.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional values are approximate and will not include any store-bought wing sauce or seasoning nutritional values.
