Use of rib racks

[Half Fast BBQ'n]

I have a couple of very nice rib racks that I use to give me more space in the pit. I rarely see anything regarding the use of rib racks. I know the folks with large pits don't need them, but with my little Okie Joe (20" pipe) I am usually wanting more space on the grate. Are there cons to using rib racks vs not using them? Aside from the fact that they jam up right next to each other. They seem to be tasty.

Seems I can never have enough room :shock:

This BBQ'n can sure be an expensive hobby. I look at pits every day. Every time I look at those Gator pits, like the new one (~40" dia stubby) that they just finished for a member, I get the "wants" :lol: If I could just get the wife to let me keep one in the garage, ...and if I hit the lottery :lol:

You folks at Gator sure make nice pits! Nicest (almost affordable for me) that I've seen on the Internet. This is not a paid advertisement. Just a personal observation. I do not know anyone affilaited with Gator Pits :lol: :lol: :lol:

[corndog]

1/2 Fast, as far as rib racks go, check out the ones from Williams & Sonoma...They are some good ones, big enough for beef ribs!!! They ought to be going on sale sometime soon. And don't fret on salivatin' over them Gators, it seems everyone who doesn't have one does, and then them that have them, salivate over their smoked food....

[TexLaw]

There are folks around here that use rib racks. I have one that I use from time to time. The biggest problem with rib racks is that the slabs usually mash up against each other, blocking airflow between them. That increases cooking time, decreases smoke flavor, makes for uneven color and cooking, and makes the rub in those in-between places pretty mushy.

When I use my racks, I either leave an open space inbetween each slab of ribs, or I cook them about halfway in the rack, and then take them out to overlap and rotate. They always come out pretty good that way, even if it does take longer to cook.


TL

[TAR RIVER RAT]

I have found some nice rib racks at TJ Maxx at times. Very heavy duty and non-stick for around $6.
Tarrib

[Hankerin Bar-B-Q]

Half Fast,
You and I have the same racks. I was thinking about going with slabs under 4.5 lbs each, then trimming them St. Loueee style, so's they won't get too freindly with each other. You can always have the trimmings as a cook's treat. :wink: I wanted to experiment with the size of the slab and trimming to see what works best. I found out untrimmed 5lb slabs or greater are just to big for those racks...they're all over each other. If you've got a hot end in your chamber, you might want to spin the whole rack, end for end, to help with even cooking.

Hank

[Half Fast BBQ'n]

Thanks for the responses my BBQ brethren.

[swamp smoker]

another one used in wsm's is roll them up and put a metal skewer thru them. Standem on end and let em go.I've detected no difference in taste.

[Dakaty]

I have 2 racks from Academy ($10 each) and one of Dave Kloses ($35). You do have to position the ribs certain ways and sometimes space and stagger the racks so there is adequate ventilation all around them.

They really do increase the capacity of our smaller pits. AND they turn out great ribs. I usually cover my ribs (racks and all) with a large sheet of heavy duty foil after 3 hours (or when they look right).

[ozzie]

Half, I use a rib rack I got at Home Depot. I like the extra room it gives me in the pit. I can't really say there's any difference in the ribs btwn using the rack & not using it. I would like to get one of Steve Reichlin's racks though, nice and big, you could even do beef ribs on this thing. Go to: http://www.barbecuebible.com/ and go to the store section to see what I'm talking about.

[jshively]

Have to give props to Ritch @ Gator because his rib racks rock harder than Aerosmith in their prime.

Built like a tank and have handles to carry.

[M38A1]

My 2 cents is that they were very difficult for me to work with in a 20" OK Joes Offset. I love the quality and construction of mine, but like TL said, the ribs are just too tight against one another therefore not allowing smoke and heat between the slabs. Once I pulled two slabs out leaving only the two edges and the center slot full, I think they did much better.

Maybe it's a design thing and the other racks have larger gaps between the slots. That would make sense with the problems I encountered.

Here's my related Train Wreck thread....

http://www.texasbbqrub.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=6504&highlight=train+wreck