Ribs on a BGE

whta · April 2018

OK, question for all you eggers.

I usually get my ribs from Sams, and I try to cut them in half in order to "fit on the grill". I use a rib rack, I think it's a BGE rack, and I stand them upright. Anyway, I have not had great success (in my opinion) in smoking ribs on the egg - I seem to have a "real estate" issue with them fitting on the rack/grill and getting the dome to close. Plus, once the ribs have cooked for awhile, they swell up and are hard to get out from the rib rack.

What are you guys doing to get them to fit nicely? I don't think laying them flat will work, as it looks they would take up more space than the grill will allow, plus those on the edges get "cooked faster" being outside the place setter.

I know the CGS has some options - is that what you are using, or am I the only one with issues using a rib rack? Maybe I'm doing something wrong?

Fred19Flintstone · April 2018

Welcome! What size egg do you have? It's common to use foil to protect the parts that overhang. I have cut racks of ribs to fit my small with good success.

Killit_and_Grillit · April 2018

I cut mine to the size I'm going to serve (unless appetizer cuts), but I know a lot of guys use a roasting rack.

I'm sure if CGS has something for this, it's better than any redneck engineering project we could come up with...some awesome stuff from those guys.

dmourati · April 2018

You could cut the rib section in half and wind up with two more square and less rectangular pieces. Think about using the Z dimension (vertical) to solve the space constraints of a single grid.

Chris8938 · April 2018

Make yourself a two grid system, or buy a two grid system. I easily fit 3 racks on this last weekend. I cut them in half and laid them flat. Most I have done is 6 with a rib rack, but that was kind of dicey in my opinion. For my money, two grids for more than two racks is what I do.

Jellyworm · April 2018

I have a large and cut my ribs in half as well. I also use a rack and stand them upright. I do low and slow, 225, and they turn out amazing every time. Not bragging just saying maybe the lower temp could be your answer. Good luck. PS- when was the last time you calibrated your temperature gauge?

PoppasGrill · April 2018

I have always done my ribs cut in half standing up in a rack. 250 ish for about 4 - 5 hours. I do sauce on the side and don’t foil . Works good for me. They aren’t “fall off the bone” every time , but pull very easily

xfire_ATX · April 2018

I cut mine in half, use a rib rack, cook at 275-300 for 2 hours, foil and sauce some of the racks for another hour then back on for 30 min or so

StillH2OEgger · April 2018

I have a rack, but if they're baby backs, you can keep two racks whole and cut up another one to fit three on a single level. Picking the shorter racks when shopping also helps.

blind99 · April 2018

No idea where this rack is from but it does the trick. Just jam em all in there!

whta · April 2018

THANKS

Been smoking them at 225 - 275 for the most part. Several chunks of water soaked fruit wood (Cherry/Apple/Peach - and sometimes hickory or mesquite). I use a rack similar to the rack above - but after about 2+ hours, the ribs swell up and are hard to squeeze out. Not to mention, I feel like the ones in the middle don't get as much smoke as the others.

Do you guys do indirect with a water tray?

I've also done the 3-2-1 method, but I feel like they are too overcooked. Very tender, in fact, it's hard to eat them by hand - the fall apart in your hands.

I have made an extender rack for wings, maybe I should just shorten it down and try that with the ribs...

SSQUAL612 · April 2018

Not a problem on the XL. You might have to cut em like others have said. I haven’t been happy with my results when I used a rack, but others seem to crank out some good product. Best of luck...keep trying till you get em how you like em.

UNCHeels08 · April 2018

PS Woo and extender from CGS lets me do four racks comfortably. First time I did them uncut and the edges got a little too burnt. Halved them ever since and they fit fine over the drip tray. I also don’t foil. This set up works great for getting lots of wings as well.

Hawg Fan · April 2018

You guys are killing me with those rib pictures.

Thatgrimguy · April 2018

Suddenly need ribs desperately!! Gonna have to fix that next weekend

lousubcap · April 2018

As above, cut to fit (foil protect any that overhang your heat deflector). No need for a water pan (just an air-gapped drip pan. And no need to soak any smoke wood-the water doesn't penetrate the wood much. Trust the tooth-pick test for the win and you will nail the cook. FWIW-

mEGG_My_Day · April 2018

For me, the simple approach works best for ribs. I lay them flat. Use whatever rub you like. Cook at about 275. No wraping. I usually use apple, cherry or peach for smoke.

Two racks easily fit flat on my large on a single grid. I have the woo with extender, so four racks flat is easily done.

Hans61 · April 2018

Lay flat with two grid system or buy a xl

calracefan · April 2018

I have a Large and I use a rib rack. Set up is Dry smoking wood, platesetter legs up, drip pan on foil balls, grid , rack w/ ribs. 250 for 5-6 hrs or for 3 hrs then foil for 1hr then finish for half to one hour ,test with toothe pick. Place foil under ribs which are not protected by platesetter.

BikerBob · April 2018

We're old so only eat one rack at a meal. On the medium I just cut a rack in half and laid it flat. Normally this cooks about five hours untouched at 250 and is great. Last cook, I was careless,not paying attention had the temp too high and burned up a small rack.

Ribs on a BGE

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