Newbie slow cook rib question!

theronius · September 2013

Hi everyone-

I got my large Egg back in May and have been learning a lot from reading posts here- thanks for that!

So far, I've had some really good success, but I've been just cooking for two - me n' the wife... Something grabbed hold of me and made me offer up my house for a work BBQ, so that's all about to change.

Monday, I've got about 10-15 folks coming over and I was going to do some slow cooked pork ribs. I've made these a couple of times for 2, and they came out great... but I'm a little concerned about upping the ante, and want to make sure I have the best chance of success possible. I'm wondering if my so-far, tried-and-true method will work here or if I'll need to adjust for the larger quantity of ribs I'm going to be doing?

Here's what I've done for just two racks of ribs: Egg set to around 225-250, indirect with plate setter legs up, pan with water and apple cider vinegar under rack to catch drippings and retain moisture. Some apple wood chips for smoke, and cook time - about 10-11 hours. I've gone with the "close the dome, watch the temperature, and just let it cook" approach, no foil, no BBQ sauce (just dry rub). They've been awesome so far, and I'm hoping to repeat that for my co-workers. Gulp...

I picked up a tier rack yesterday, so I have the hardware I need to do about 12 racks now, which should be enough for the group I have coming over. My current plan is to get up a little early, light the egg around 5:30 AM, put the ribs on around 7, go to work, come check 'em mid day, and hopefully be ready to eat around 6 or so.

What do y'all think? Do I need to allot more time for the cook or increase my temp to compensate for the additional quantity?

Thanks in advance for any advice! I'll post some pics and let you know how it turns out!

Theron

theronius · September 2013

Whoops, not 10-11 hours... probably more like 6-7... jeez.

Ragtop99 · September 2013

You don't need to increase the temp. The egg may need a slightly bigger opening to recover and maintain the temp since there is more food, but the temp is fine. But if you are doing 6 - 7 hours, then I would probably not even worry about that.

Ribs on the upper tier rack may cook faster since it is higher in the dome.

7 hours at 250 is longer than I do, but if you hit 225* that may be just fine.

theronius · September 2013

Thanks, Ragtop99- good info on the top rack cooking faster, I didn't know that. Makes sense though- heat rising etc.

Yeah, I think I'll probably stick as close to 225 as I can, good call!

Theron

theronius · September 2013

Decided to go with a two pronged approach for tonight... starting a brisket now, it'll end up with about 10 hours of cooking time or so. I'll come back home around noon and add the ribs to a second tier, they'll get about 5 hours in before I get home after work, then I can check 'em and see how they're doing.

Here's the brisket in the before state...

Theron

R3K · September 2013

please post the results of the "two pronged" approach. I've never done two different types of meat like that before. Since the density of the different meats isn't the same, I'd think that the cooking temps would need to be different, or the cooking times would be drastically different. If you're successful, I may try this in the future

theronius · September 2013

Will do!

I've done both brisket and ribs at the same temperature, just not simultaneously before. The way I've got it planned out, the brisket will be on for about double the time as the ribs, so hopefully it'll pan out... otherwise my guests tonight are eating cornbread, potato salad and beans. LOL!

GreenhawK · September 2013

I have cooked from 1 slab up to about 60 slabs of ribs at the same time. (of course not 60 on the egg). I do the exact same thing either way. I do the same prep, and the same methods. Just make sure that there is a little space between each slab so that air can flow between them. There shouldn't be any increased cooking time now matter how many slabs you have on there.

Just do what you are used to and comfortable with. You will do great.

theronius · September 2013

Thanks, GreenhawK! Appreciate it!

Just entered phase 2 - might need to get a little more space between the slabs, but we're moving along... Pic below-

I'll let y'all know how it turns out in a few hours!

Theron

GreenhawK · September 2013

That looks good. The one in the middle that is folded over is the only one that I see that may be touching to much. It is ok if they are touching in a couple of spots.

theronius · September 2013

Everything came out great! Ribs shown below. Probably not competition-worthy as they're falling apart a bit too much for that, but my guests loved them, and that's all that mattered tonight.

The brisket turned out great too (second photo below.) So my two pronged approach of cooking them at the same temp, just adding the ribs later in the cooking cycle, worked pretty well.

If I were nit-picking, everything probably cooked an hour too long- party got started a little later than planned - but it was all moist and tender nonetheless, and like I said, the guests loved it, so mission accomplished!

Thanks for all the advice and encouragement! Much appreciated.

Theron

KennyLee · September 2013

Nice job man! Lot of pressure and came through like a champ. Did yourself and the Egg proud!

Eggcelsior · September 2013

Looks great. As long as guests are pleased, you did well. We are our own worst critics.

theronius · September 2013

Amen to that, we are definitely our own worst critics!

Thanks for all the kind words! I'm definitely a lot more comfortable cooking for a large group now. It'll be easier next time (and word has spread at work, so I know there will have to be a next time now for all those who didn't make it LOL)

Danny Noonan · September 2013

3-2-1 method at about 250-275 never fails

Newbie slow cook rib question!

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