To rack or not to rack

muralboy

Smoking Fanatic

Original poster

Jul 17, 2015

554

104

Chicagoland

• Aug 28, 2015

• #1

I am going to be doing a larger baby back rib smoke and wanted to get some feedback on using rib racks that hold the ribs on their side versus laying flat on grill. 

Has anyone noticed any difference in the amount or evenness of smoke on the meat?  Should you flip end to end/side to side?

I appreciate any advice

thanks

 

smokerjim

Smoking Guru

OTBS Member

SMF Premier Member

Jan 14, 2014

7,463

4,123

Northeast pa

• Aug 28, 2015

• #2

i would put the fattier side"usually a little bigger" up so the juices will baste the ribs as they are smoking,as for flipping them i don't think you have to maybe just switch them around in the smoker 1/2 way through since your smoker might be a little hotter in spots.i've never used racks but know people that do and that's all they do. good luck

 

drlchi

Fire Starter

May 1, 2015

68

21

Chicago, IL

• Aug 28, 2015

• #3

I've used rack in the past, but only to conserve space; never really noticed a difference. I am with smokerjim, though, in that I lay mine flat so the juices run over and off rather than just down as with racks. I think it's a matter of personal preference.

 

muralboy

Smoking Fanatic

Original poster

Thread starter

Jul 17, 2015

554

104

Chicagoland

• Aug 28, 2015

• #4

I prefer laying them flat but conserving space is exactly what I need to do which is why I was thinking racks. Going thick side up makes sense.

I appreciate the advice