Specially designed for outdoor cooking enthusiasts, Napoleon Charcoal Baskets offer a practical and effective solution for indirect cooking or smoking food without complications. Made from durable materials such as aluminised steel, these baskets fit perfectly on Ø 57 cm charcoal grills. Whether you want to slow-cook a rack of ribs or add a smoky flavour to your favourite vegetables, this multi-purpose accessory delivers efficiency and style.
🔥 Perfect Indirect Cooking on Ø 57 cm Grills
Turn your grill into an indirect cooking zone for professional results
Indirect cooking is an essential technique for achieving juicy, perfectly cooked meats without burning them from direct heat. These baskets are designed to be placed on the sides of the charcoal grill, allowing heat to circulate evenly through the centre of the grill. This creates a temperature-controlled zone ideal for large pieces that require longer cooking times, such as whole chickens, pork legs, ribs or even grilled-style breads and pizzas. With these baskets, your grill is transformed into an outdoor oven, opening up new culinary possibilities.
🪵 Ready to Smoke with Wood Chips
Add intense, authentic flavours without the need for a professional smoker
In addition to their main function as charcoal holders, these baskets are also ready for use with aromatic wood chips (such as hickory, cherry, apple or mesquite). Simply fill the baskets with pre-moistened chips and place them on the hot charcoal. The smoke generated will infuse the food with a deep flavour characteristic of traditional smoked cooking. It’s an economical, simple and efficient way to explore complex flavours in meat, fish, vegetables and even cheese.
🛠️ Made of high-strength aluminised steel
Designed to last, even with intensive and repeated use
Aluminised steel not only provides excellent resistance to oxidation, but also withstands extremely high temperatures without warping or deteriorating. These properties make the baskets a durable accessory, ideal for frequent and demanding barbecuing. Their metallic finish also makes them easy to clean, as grease and charcoal residue do not stick easily. In short, this is a robust, reliable product manufactured to withstand demanding outdoor conditions.
📏 Optimal Dimensions and Weight for Manoeuvrability and Efficiency
Compact yet spacious, designed for maximum efficiency on the grill
Each basket measures 38 cm long, 11.5 cm deep and 8 cm high, offering generous capacity without compromising space on the grill. They are large enough to hold an adequate amount of charcoal or wood chips, yet compact enough to allow for ideal air circulation. Their individual weight of 0.67 kg ensures stability during use without making them difficult to move or position. They are the perfect balance between functionality and manoeuvrability.
✅ Ideal Compatibility with Napoleon Ø 57 cm Charcoal Grills
Designed specifically for a perfect fit on Napoleon models
These baskets have been developed with exact measurements to fit precisely on Napoleon Ø 57 cm kettle grills. This ensures hassle-free use, with no risk of instability or heat loss. They can also be adapted to other brands with similar dimensions, but their optimal performance is achieved on Napoleon models, thanks to their complementary design.
🏡 Applications Outside the Barbecue Environment
Beyond the grill: use them in fireplaces, wood-burning ovens or outdoor kitchens
Although their main use is for charcoal grills, these baskets can also be used in alternative contexts such as open fireplaces, wood-burning ovens or outdoor kitchens. In these situations, they serve as a receptacle for controlled embers, a source of smoke for smoking techniques or as a support for heating small cast iron pieces. This makes them a multifunctional investment, useful in both domestic environments and professional outdoor catering spaces.
🧼 Maintenance and Best Practices
Keep your Napoleon baskets looking like new: step-by-step cleaning, storage and recommendations
To ensure a long service life and safe operation, it is essential to properly care for your
Napoleon Charcoal Baskets after each use. Aluminised steel, although durable, requires some preventive maintenance to maintain its integrity, thermal performance and overall cleanliness.
Here is a
detailed and structured guide to keep them in top condition:
🔹 1. Wait for them to cool completely
After each cooking session,
let the baskets cool completely before handling them. Aluminised steel retains heat longer, so it is important to avoid burns or deformation from early handling.
🔹 2. Remove charcoal and ash residue
Once cool,
empty the baskets, removing any used charcoal, ash or wood chips. You can use an ash scoop or simply turn them upside down carefully. This prevents build-up that could affect air flow during future cooking.
🔹 3. Dry brushing
Use a
soft wire or brass brush to remove any stuck-on residue. There is no need to scrub hard: the aluminised steel makes it easy to remove combustion residue if cleaned after each use.
🔹 4. Occasional washing with warm water and mild soap
For deeper cleaning, especially after smoking sessions with aromatic chips,
wash the baskets with warm water and a few drops of mild soap. Do not use abrasive cleaners or aggressive metal sponges, as these could damage the coating.
🔹 5. Complete drying
Make sure the baskets are
completely dry before storing them. You can use an absorbent cloth or let them air dry. This prevents rust or surface stains from forming.
🔹 6. Store in a dry, protected place
Store the baskets in an accessory bag or inside a compartment of the barbecue that does not accumulate moisture. You can also hang them if your grill area has hooks available. Avoid storing them in direct contact with the ground or areas exposed to the elements.
🔹 7. Regular inspection
Every few uses, check the condition of the baskets:
make sure there is no deformation, corrosion or weakened welds. Although they are highly durable, improper use or natural wear and tear can compromise their performance.
🔹 8. Recommendations for use:
- Do not place liquids inside the baskets. They are not designed to hold liquids such as marinades or melted fats.
- Avoid using with chemically saturated charcoal. Use natural charcoal or good quality briquettes to keep them clean and avoid harmful residues.
- Never clean them while they are hot or immerse them in cold water after use. This can damage the material due to thermal shock.
With these simple but effective care instructions, your Napoleon baskets
will stay spotless and ready for every barbecue or smoking session, always delivering consistent and reliable results.
🍗 Star Recipe for Indirect Cooking: Smoked Chicken with Aromatic Herbs
This recipe for
whole chicken smoked with fresh herbs is a classic indirect cooking dish with a tasty twist thanks to the hint of applewood smoke. Using Napoleon charcoal baskets, you'll achieve even cooking, seared skin and juicy meat, ideal for family meals or outdoor events.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken (approx. 2–2.5 kg)
- 3 large sprigs of fresh rosemary
- 5 sprigs of fresh thyme
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed
- Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 handfuls of apple wood chips (soaked in water for 30 minutes)
- (Optional) Smoked paprika or lemon zest to enhance flavour
Steps:
🔹 1. Prepare the chicken
Remove any excess fat or feathers from the chicken. Dry thoroughly with kitchen paper.
Carefully separate the skin from the breast to insert herbs or seasonings directly, if desired. Fill the cavity with rosemary, thyme, garlic and lemon slices. This will add flavour from the inside.
🔹 2. Marinate and season
Rub the chicken skin with olive oil, then sprinkle salt and black pepper on all sides. If you want a more flavourful profile, you can add smoked paprika or a little lemon zest to the seasoning mixture.
🔹 3. Prepare the grill and baskets
Fill the
Napoleon baskets with lit charcoal and place them on both sides of the grill, leaving the centre free. Add the apple wood chips on top of the charcoal to start generating smoke.
🔹 4. Cook with the lid closed
Place the chicken in the centre of the grill, breast side up. Close the lid and maintain a constant temperature of 160–180°C. Cook for 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the size of the chicken. Add more charcoal or chips if necessary.
🔹 5. Measure the internal temperature
Use a meat thermometer to ensure safe cooking: the inside of the thigh should reach at least 75°C.
🔹 6. Let rest and serve
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 10–15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute and the meat to become more tender. Serve with charcoal-grilled potatoes, fresh salads or artisan bread.
🎃Vegetarian version of Smoked Roasted Pumpkin with Feta Cheese, Honey and Walnuts
Ideal for vegetarians or as a sophisticated side dish, this recipe explores the sweet and smoky flavour of roasted squash, complemented by the saltiness of feta cheese and the crunch of walnuts. Using indirect cooking with cherry wood chips, a tender texture and caramelised flavours are achieved.
Ingredients:
- 2 small butternut squash (or 1 large) halved and seeded
- 150 g crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons natural honey
- A handful of chopped toasted walnuts
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Sea salt and pepper to taste
- 2 handfuls of cherry wood chips (soaked for 30 minutes)
Steps:
🔹 1. Prepare the squash
Wash the squash thoroughly and cut them lengthwise. Remove the seeds. Brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Optionally, you can add a little cumin or thyme for a spicier flavour.
🔹 2. Prepare the baskets and grill
Light the charcoal and distribute it in the
Napoleon baskets, placing them on both sides of the grill. Add the cherry wood chips to generate a sweet, mild smoke. Place the squash in the centre, with the flesh facing upwards.
🔹 3. Cook over indirect heat
Close the grill lid and maintain the temperature at around 180°C. Cook for 45 to 60 minutes, until the pumpkins are tender when pierced with a knife.
🔹 4. Finish with toppings
When ready, remove from the grill and place on a tray. Add the crumbled feta cheese while the squash is still hot so that it melts slightly. Add the chopped walnuts and drizzle with honey.
🔹 5. Serve with style
Serve as a main course with rustic bread or as a side dish with grilled meats. You can also garnish with mint or basil leaves for a fresh touch.
🎯 Final conclusion
With the
Charcoal Baskets – Napoleon, you not only expand the functions of your grill, but you also become a more creative and technical cook. Whether for meat or vegetarian recipes, and for use on or off the grill, this sturdy, efficient and easy-to-maintain accessory guarantees a superior experience every time.
