Rib rack or not

GregC

I'm getting ready to try my hand at ribs this weekend, my first. For a beginner do you think I'd be better off using a rack or not? And why?

thirdeye

If you have the room to lay them flat, I think they stay moister and get better color.

But when you exceed your capacity for laying them out a rack sure is handy.

Roll Tide

I agree completely with thirdeye. If I have room, like when I am doing a couple racks, I lay them down. However, if I am doing three or more racks a rib rack is a must. If you do get a rack, get a good one that supports the racks properly. I don't like for my racks to touch while cooking so that they have plenty of airflow and such between them. this may not be necessary, but Thats how I like it.

Pilcher Man

I bought a rib rack fron BGE when I got my egg and I don't really like it. It's not big enough to hold long slabs let alone several of them. This makes it awkward to turn the rib slabs and apply sauce. However, I do like the idea of the slabs standing up to get a more even heat exposure. Haven't tried to lay them down on the grate yet. This might be fine if you have room. I'm looking for a better, longer rack with a minimum of four slab slots or six.

thirdeye

I like the ones that Dave Klose makes. They are long and tall enough to stop the ribs from curling, yet have a slight angle to them so they don't take up too much headroom.

Hoss

I don't like em.Cut the ends off the racks and use a double grate(grid) cook.That's my ONLY PEEVE with the BGE.Not NEAR enough real estate for ribs and such.I just need MORE ROOM!!!I wish they made one the same size as a Ranch Kettle!36 inch dia.I wuld buy the electric winch to lift the lid,or BGE could offer it as an accessorie!!!

Jai-Bo

I use a rib rack because I usually cook alot and can't lay em flat.....If you did have an extension that would be good, and when I get mine...I'll probably start laying them flat too.....

Da Kine Green BBQ

I asked that question myself, so I checked this forum to see if I could find a good answer. A slab of pork ribs was my 2nd cook, my first was a bunch of filet-mignons. Good and simple, almost fool-proof.

When I did my first rib, I layed it flat on the grill. Since this was an experiment, I did only one. Came out good with some dry rub and my home-made BBQ sauce.

BUT!!! I really wanna cook up LOTS of ribs so i can feed like 20 people at a party. Certainly the rack increases capacity. I think the rack is the way to go. I have the large BGE.

BTW: for some reason my ribs looked a little on the dry side. I tented some aluminum foil over the top of them, and it recovered nicely. But - should I have basted more often?

I like thirdeye's photo - makes me mouth water!

RRP

not being a smarty pants here - but is this the BGE rack you have that you don't like?


If so if you flip it over it holds 6 racks on edge.

GregC

Thanks for all the help, going to cook 3 slabs on Sunday afternoon. I'll lwt you know how they turned out.