Medium Vortex for 18 and 22 Kettles
Best accessory for kettle grill owners seeking versatile cooking performance.
The Cajun Bandit Medium Vortex is designed to optimize your grilling experience on 18 and 22-inch charcoal kettles. This accessory creates an indirect heat zone, allowing for "air fried" style cooking, perfect for achieving incredibly crispy wings or high-temperature steak searing. Its precise size and pitch have been developed over years to ensure the best possible results. Made from high-quality, laser-cut stainless steel in the USA, it's built for durability and performance, with expert support available. This versatile tool is popular among competition BBQ teams and home cooks alike.
$49.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
26
/ 1169
#26 in Outdoor Grill Racks & Toppers
Price vs Category Average
-60%
Below average
Weight
2
/ lbs
Who it's for
- Grillers seeking professional-grade searing for steaks and chops.
- Home cooks wanting to expand their kettle grill's cooking versatility.
- Economical grillers aiming to maximize charcoal burn time and value.
Who should skip it
- Large families or entertainers needing to cook significant quantities of food.
- Beginners new to kettle grilling or advanced heat management techniques.
- Grill owners with non-standard kettle sizes or other types of grills.
Performance breakdown
Heat Efficiency
Concentrates airflow perfectly for intense, focused searing zones.
Build Durability
Heavy-duty stainless steel construction withstands extreme, repeated high-heat cycles.
Versatility
Seamlessly transitions between crispy wing frying and high-heat steak searing.
Ease of Setup
Simple drop-in design requires zero assembly or complex grill modifications.
Compatibility
Optimized specifically for standard kettles, though limited on non-round grills.
Cooking Consistency
Engineered geometry ensures uniform heat distribution for predictable, repeatable results.
Key Specs
Weight
2 lbs
Dimensions
12 x 8 x 5 in
Material
Stainless steel
Compatible Grill Types
18 and 22 inch Kettles, BGE, Kamado, Weber Kettle, UDS
Primary Uses
Indirect heat, searing, air fried style cooking
Intended Food Type
Wings, Steak
Know before you buy
The Medium Vortex is specifically engineered for 18-inch and 22-inch kettle grills. It is also compatible with other setups like Big Green Eggs, Kamados, and UDS, provided they accommodate the 12-inch base diameter.
The Vortex funnels charcoal heat into a concentrated, upward-moving column. This creates an intense, focused heat zone in the center for searing, while the surrounding area becomes an indirect heat zone perfect for convection-style cooking.
Yes. Stainless steel is the industry standard for this application because it withstands the extreme, direct heat of charcoal without warping or rusting, ensuring the accessory lasts for years of regular use.
Absolutely. While it excels at crispy wings and high-heat searing, the indirect heat zone is excellent for roasting vegetables, whole chickens, or any food that benefits from a convection-style environment.
For best results, fill the Vortex with lit charcoal and place it in the center of your charcoal grate. This setup immediately establishes the concentrated heat flow needed for searing or convection roasting.
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$50