Indirect cooking with kamado?

The heat deflector is an essential accessory for indirect cooking in a kamado. It helps create an indirect heat zone by preventing the direct heat from the charcoal from reaching the food directly, which is crucial for some cooking techniques.

The heat deflector acts as a barrier that directs heat around food rather than letting it hit its surface directly. Made of ceramic, it is placed between the heat source (charcoal) and the food. By redirecting heat to the walls of the kamado, it allows for an even and gentle circulation of heat inside the cooking chamber.

Indirect kamado cooking involves cooking food without it being exposed to the direct heat of the coal, which helps control the temperature and avoid burning or drying out the food.

With a heat deflector in place, heat diffuses around food in a gentler way, which is perfect for:
– Roasting : cooking foods such as chicken, roast beef or fish, where slow and even cooking is desired.
– Smoking : The low, stable temperatures, often used to smoke meats, are best maintained in indirect cooking mode.
– Low and slow cooking : for cuts of meat such as ribs, brisket or pork shoulders, indirect cooking allows you to cook slowly at a low temperature for several hours, preserving tenderness and flavours.

– Temperature control : indirect cooking helps maintain a more stable and consistent temperature, which is essential to avoid heat spikes.
– Direct flame protection : This prevents food from burning or charring on the outside before the inside is cooked.
– Even cooking : food cooks more evenly thanks to the heat that envelops it on all sides, allowing for better heat distribution.

– Installation : Place the heat deflector in the fireplace, positioning it between the cooking grate and the charcoal pieces.
– Temperature adjustment : Use the QUATRO’s vents to adjust the temperature. The heat deflector helps maintain a gentler and more even heat, but it is still necessary to control the airflow to achieve the desired temperature.
– Monitoring : Depending on the recipe, indirect cooking with a deflector can last several hours. It is therefore important to monitor the temperature inside the QUATRO and check the cooking progress.