Jman Posted May 11, 2019 Report Share Posted May 11, 2019 First things first I’ve been so busy enjoying this Big bad I’ve not done any reviews yet! I’m having a Crack at my first brisket tomorrow and just want to make sure im setting up correctly I've got these 2 deflectors ( first pic) I’ve been placing directly on top of the basket - but I am wondering if they are supposed to sit on top of the lower grate? Drip tray ontop. Or which is better... lastly, I've got these 2 other deflectors that came with the big bad, not sure where they get used, under the pizza stone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisLinkletter Posted May 11, 2019 Report Share Posted May 11, 2019 I've learned it's easier to give people what they want than to educate them. I supply them because people coming from the glazed-pot Kamado world think they're very important. Glazed pot Kamados are basically un-insulated and when the ambient temperature changes/drops the temperature can crash. Having a heat deflector reflecting heat back into the firebox gives these grills thermal mass/ a heat sink to help stabilize temps during these ambient temperature swings. Because KK's are so well insulated, this is not a factor. In fact, the heat deflector requires you to burn more fuel, creating more airflow and more evaporation and less retained moisture in your meat. I suggest, preheating the grill empty and then putting foil on the lower grate the size and the area you want to be indirect. Put your drip pan on top of the foil, install the main grill and put your meat above the area with the foil. Put the upper grill on top of that and more meat. You're off to the races. The foil is much higher above the charcoal than where the heat deflectors sit and will not trap/reflect as much heat back into the firebox. That being said I have not use the heat deflector in one of my grills for probably 10 years. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jman Posted May 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2019 Unbelievable! A response from the Dennis himself. Dennis thanks so much, so far nothing I’ve cooked has failed to exceed my expectations. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pequod Posted May 11, 2019 Report Share Posted May 11, 2019 (edited) As to your question of what the extra deflectors are for, I have no idea. Haven’t figured out what the first set is for. Dennis is right on. A sheet of foil is all you need. Edited May 11, 2019 by Pequod 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pearson Posted May 11, 2019 Report Share Posted May 11, 2019 He told me to use them for stepping stones lol 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie Ora Posted May 12, 2019 Report Share Posted May 12, 2019 My heat deflector looks brand new . Thanks to alfoil. LolSent from my SM-T835 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jman Posted May 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2019 (edited) It shouldn't be a surprise but first up Brisket was well above expectations. Cooked for 4.5hours up to 165 then a further 3.3 hours up to 202. hardest part was trimming as I’d not done that before. A big tick for the KK again Edited May 12, 2019 by Jman 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alimac23 Posted May 13, 2019 Report Share Posted May 13, 2019 As the others have said, i've never used the deflectors at all for any cooks, i just let the drip pan sitting on a lower grate act as the heat deflector too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stile88 Posted May 13, 2019 Report Share Posted May 13, 2019 Yep in my egg i always used a deflector when i got my kk i went the foil way as well as everyone has stated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony b Posted May 13, 2019 Report Share Posted May 13, 2019 Brisket looks great. Were you following Franklin's method and wrap it in pink butcher paper after the stall (165F)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jman Posted May 15, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2019 I was playing it conservative so went foil - will definitely wrap in paper next time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony b Posted May 15, 2019 Report Share Posted May 15, 2019 Do, you'll like the outcome so much better. The paper doesn't end up steaming the brisket and ruining the bark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
