Introduction
If you've spent any time around the barbecue community, you've probably heard of the Vortex, Kettle Kone, or BBQ Cone. No matter what name you know it by, one thing is certain: it's one of the most popular and effective accessories ever made for the Weber Kettle.
At CLD Fabrication, we call ours the Krispy Kone, and for good reason.
Designed to create intense circulating heat inside your kettle, the Krispy Kone transforms your BBQ into an outdoor air fryer, producing crispy chicken wings, perfectly cooked sausages, crunchy dim sims and much more.
If you're chasing restaurant-quality crispy skin and consistent cooking results, this is the accessory you've been looking for.
What Is a Kettle Kone?
A Kettle Kone is a specially designed charcoal insert that sits in the centre of your Weber Kettle.
Instead of spreading charcoal across the charcoal grate, the fuel is concentrated inside the cone, creating a powerful column of heat that rises directly through the centre of the kettle.
As the hot air reaches the lid, it circulates around the cooking chamber before returning down around the food.
This creates an incredibly efficient convection cooking effect that acts much like an air fryer.
The result?
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Crispier chicken skin
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Faster cooking times
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Even heat distribution
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Better colour and caramelisation
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Consistent results every cook
How Does the Krispy Kone Work?
The setup is simple.
Fill the cone approximately three-quarters full with fully lit charcoal. High-quality briquettes or lump charcoal both work well, although quality fuel will always deliver more consistent results.
Once the charcoal is burning, place the cone in the centre of the kettle and arrange your food around the outside edge of the cooking grate.
With both top and bottom vents fully open, the cone creates a concentrated heat source that continuously circulates superheated air around your food.
Rather than cooking directly over the charcoal, the food cooks using intense indirect heat, helping create crispy exteriors while maintaining juicy interiors.
Why Chicken Wings Are Perfect for the Krispy Kone
The Krispy Kone has become famous for one reason: chicken wings.
Traditional charcoal cooking can sometimes struggle to produce crispy skin without drying out the meat.
The Krispy Kone solves this problem by constantly circulating hot air around the wings, rendering fat from the skin and creating a crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
The result is:
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Crispy skin without deep frying
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Juicy meat
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Beautiful golden colour
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Even cooking across the entire batch
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Incredible charcoal flavour
For many kettle owners, the Krispy Kone becomes their go-to accessory for wing nights.
More Than Just Chicken Wings
While wings get most of the attention, the Krispy Kone is incredibly versatile.
It's perfect for:
Sausages
Achieve evenly cooked sausages with a crispy exterior and juicy centre.
Dim Sims
Create crunchy, golden dim sims without needing a deep fryer.
Chicken Drumsticks
Perfectly cooked drumsticks with crispy skin and smoky flavour.
Chicken Thighs
Excellent for family dinners or meal prep.
Party Foods
Spring rolls, skewers, meatballs, and other finger foods cook exceptionally well using the circulating heat created by the cone.
Want More Smoke Flavour?
One of the great advantages of charcoal cooking is the ability to add smoke flavour.
Simply add a chunk of your favourite smoking wood directly onto the charcoal.
Popular choices include:
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Apple wood
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Cherry wood
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Hickory
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Pecan
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Ironbark
The circulating airflow generated by the Krispy Kone helps distribute smoke evenly throughout the kettle, giving your food that authentic wood-fired flavour.
Tips for the Best Results
To get the most from your Krispy Kone:
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Use quality charcoal or briquettes
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Fill the cone approximately three-quarters full
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Keep top and bottom vents fully open
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Rotate food every 15 to 20 minutes for even cooking
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Preheat the kettle before adding food
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Add smoking wood for extra flavour
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Cook around the outside edge of the grate, not directly above the cone
Following these simple steps will help you achieve consistently crispy results every time.
Built Tough for Australian BBQ Conditions
Unlike many imported alternatives, the CLD Fabrication Krispy Kone is built to handle serious charcoal cooking.
Manufactured from heavy-duty steel and designed for years of use, it's made for barbecue enthusiasts who demand reliable performance cook after cook.
Whether you're cooking for the family or entertaining a crowd, the Krispy Kone is a simple upgrade that delivers impressive results.
Is the Krispy Kone Worth It?
If you own a Weber Kettle and love cooking chicken wings, sausages, drumsticks, or crispy BBQ snacks, the answer is absolutely.
It's one of the easiest ways to improve your cooking results while adding a new level of versatility to your kettle.
The Krispy Kone creates the intense circulating heat that makes crispy food easy, all while maintaining the flavour that only charcoal cooking can provide.
Key Benefits
✓ Creates air fryer-style cooking on a Weber Kettle
✓ Produces crispy chicken wings and chicken skin
✓ Easy to use and beginner friendly
✓ Perfect for sausages, dim sims and party food
✓ Adds versatility to any kettle barbecue
✓ Works with briquettes or lump charcoal
✓ Delivers consistent cooking results
✓ Australian made and built to last
Ready to experience the Krispy Kone for yourself?
Grab yours today and discover why the Kettle Kone has become one of the most popular Weber Kettle accessories on the market.
Stay smoky, legends.
