Deb
New member
I just put mine in and turned it on, WOW definitely more smoke.
How about some reviews of the new Flame Zone kits
- Thread starter Big Poppa
- Start date
I just put mine in and turned it on, WOW definitely more smoke.
TentHunter
Moderator
Ok, so last night I got a ribeye out to try the flame zone (no covers). Same issue, not getting past 400°. Is this due to the same thing? I started with a clean machine, clean TC and pellets I have used before to acheive 500° plus. Could my machine just be quirky?
KyNola
Member
I had a conversation with Bob about this the other day and he explained to me to not be fooled by what the Pellet Boss is reading as your grill temp. That is the air temp that is blowing past the TC. At the cooking grate the flame zone is pushing much much higher temps. I know that to be true because I just burned all of the seasoning off of the inside of my MAK by running the 2 Star on high with the flame zone open. Probably close to 600 degrees while the Pellet Boss was reading under 500.
Should be noted that I have the new stainless steel body. The older model steel body won't get as hot as the stainless steel body but you should still be plenty hot at the cooking grate with the flame zone uncovered.
Should be noted that I have the new stainless steel body. The older model steel body won't get as hot as the stainless steel body but you should still be plenty hot at the cooking grate with the flame zone uncovered.
Last edited:
TentHunter
Moderator
Tonight set at only 400°, it was pleeeeeeeeenty hot enough to get some great searing results!
http://www.pelletsmoking.com/pelletsmoking-com-gallery-10/1-star-flamezone-rocks-dinner-4508/
http://www.pelletsmoking.com/pelletsmoking-com-gallery-10/1-star-flamezone-rocks-dinner-4508/
ht01us
New member
Does hotter mean no smoking on the bottom rack?
How awesome! I'm getting ready to pull the trigger for the retrofit on MAK #327.
I read that the retrofit provides much more smoke; that is great. But it seems like that is because people may be taking the covers off and cooking on the upper rack only. When I'm cooking 6 racks of ribs or a brisket + 4 pork butts for a party, I want to make sure that I can still use the lower rack for smoking. I'd imagine that putting the flamezone covers on would help lower those temps.
Second, it sounds like there will be a new learning curve figuring out the differential between the TC and the grill temperature. Seems as though it will be well worth the effort.
Third, I have version 1.8 of the pellet boss firmware. Is there a newer version of the firmware that I should use with the retro-fit? Heck, what new features are in the latest firmware, maybe they'd be helpful regardless.
Finally, any idea on how to recycle the old stainless steel?
How awesome! I'm getting ready to pull the trigger for the retrofit on MAK #327.
I read that the retrofit provides much more smoke; that is great. But it seems like that is because people may be taking the covers off and cooking on the upper rack only. When I'm cooking 6 racks of ribs or a brisket + 4 pork butts for a party, I want to make sure that I can still use the lower rack for smoking. I'd imagine that putting the flamezone covers on would help lower those temps.
Second, it sounds like there will be a new learning curve figuring out the differential between the TC and the grill temperature. Seems as though it will be well worth the effort.
Third, I have version 1.8 of the pellet boss firmware. Is there a newer version of the firmware that I should use with the retro-fit? Heck, what new features are in the latest firmware, maybe they'd be helpful regardless.
Finally, any idea on how to recycle the old stainless steel?
MAK DADDY
Moderator
You can smoke on the lower rack just like with your old system.
The latest version is 2.2, you don't need it to run the retrofit FZ system.
Good point on the recycle, PLEASE everyone don't throw it in the trash. There are lots of metal recyclers in most cities if you don't have a curbside program.
The latest version is 2.2, you don't need it to run the retrofit FZ system.
Good point on the recycle, PLEASE everyone don't throw it in the trash. There are lots of metal recyclers in most cities if you don't have a curbside program.
MAK DADDY
Moderator
Yes, that is what it was designed to do (grill). Now customers will always find more ways to use it
jimsbarbecue
Moderator
Spatchcock on the new "Full Size Flame Zone"
Decided to cook a chicken on the new Flame Zone Kit.
If I am doing it it has to be easy . Right?
Rub the chicken with grape seed oil and season with some chicken spice of you choice.
MAK set at 400 chicken put skin side down and cooked for 35 minutes. All I can say is I can't wait to cook a chicken like this again.
Decided to cook a chicken on the new Flame Zone Kit.
If I am doing it it has to be easy . Right?
Rub the chicken with grape seed oil and season with some chicken spice of you choice.
MAK set at 400 chicken put skin side down and cooked for 35 minutes. All I can say is I can't wait to cook a chicken like this again.
sparky
New member
well, my wife said i could get the new flame zone for fathers day present. one question? does the new flame zone come w/ a full size cover for the little dimples (instead of the 2 half zone pans. a full pan would be easier to scrap off? i use my mak for smoking not for grilling. i use my blank pan since i have gotten my mak. i would like the new flame zone just so it dont have a bunch of grease on the bottom of my mak. i don't really grill w/ my mak (i got Hazel for that). what do ya'll think?
Last edited:
RickB
New member
Sit back with a FT...It's all good. Work smarter not harder. Don't scrape just enlarge your carbon footprint! This was after a cook.
The nice thing about the new pans are they fit in the standard 27 inch oven. Pop it in on self clean and squirt with a hose and......
Waaa Laaa!
Life is good!
Last edited:
sparky
New member
ok.
"you got some xplaining ta do ricky? i love your attitude buddy. glad your hear. we need more ppl w/ screws loose here. ya fit the bill.
RickB
New member
ok.
"you got some xplaining ta do ricky? i love your attitude buddy. glad your hear. we need more ppl w/ screws loose here. ya fit the bill.
Ya ain't the first one to say that bud! But I wear it as a badge of courage!
RickB
New member
Pop your grates in there to.
smokenovice
New member
Hey Sparky:
A full size cover like you mention would be more convenient for indirect cooking which I do mostly, but an interchangeable full size blank grease pan introduced with the earliest 2012 MAK 2 would be better?
It may take a little more time to change out the full size flame zone, but you would still have to remove your grill grates and the covers anyway? If I retro fit, it would only be for the increase smoke benefits, but would still purchase an interchangeable full size blank grease pan for this system.
I am not real thrilled about covers where the grease can accummulate around or underneath them. I use foil now with the 2011 split flame zone to prevent this, but the other draw back is the cover raises the foil level around it and grease does not flow downward toward the chute.