Rotating meat in the smoker??

raven1911

Fire Starter

Original poster

Dec 29, 2007

35

10

• Jan 2, 2008

• #1

Did my first smoke yesterday with 3 racks of ribs and a fantastic tritip. Noticed the bottom rack of ribs cooked too much as I didn't turn them or rotate them in the smoker. The tritip stayed on the bottom rack and cooked there the entire 3 hours and did very well. I guess my newbie question is, do you need to turn the meat? Do you also need to rotate the meat from higher racks to lower and vice versa? I decided to put this in the newbie forum and the general as well.

 

kookie

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

Mar 27, 2007

2,850

10

Mandan North Dakota

• Jan 2, 2008

• #2

I personal rotate my racks when I am smoking. I also turn whatever I am smoking on the racks. It tends to give me a more even smoke and cook.

Just my personal preference.

Kookie

 

ba_loko

Smoking Fanatic

OTBS Member

May 11, 2007

699

10

Broken Arrow, OK

• Jan 2, 2008

• #3

raven, what kind of smoker are you using? I have a side fire box and I rotate my meats, due to the fact that the heat is coming directly from the right side. Without a doubt, the heat is higher towards the fire box. If we know what you're cooking with, we may offer a more definitive answer. We sure don't want to see you burn anything!

 

raven1911

Fire Starter

Original poster

Thread starter

Dec 29, 2007

35

10

• Jan 3, 2008

• #4

I have the GOSM upright propane smoker model 3405. I really like it, so far.

 

smokeys my pet

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

Sep 25, 2007

1,080

11

Havre de Grace,MD

• Jan 3, 2008

• #5

Raven one of my smokers is the same as yours and I also rotate and change the grates around if full. All the heat starts at the bottom so thats why I do. I also rotate on the brinkman too!!!!!!!!!

 

smokin for life

Smoking Fanatic

OTBS Member

Apr 21, 2007

985

10

Phila.

• Jan 3, 2008

• #6

I really don't rotate mine, I have a GOSM too.I just keep my eye on the thermometer, when it'sdone, it's done. I mean like it isn't like they'll all get done at the same time. 12 hrs. for 1, 5 hrs for something else, 3 hrs for ABT'S, etc. So personally I don't see any reason to rotate. Just my 2 cents. I do flip them over.

 

flash

Smoking Guru

OTBS Member

Mar 30, 2007

5,280

45

Chiefland/Cedar Key, Fl

• Jan 3, 2008

• #7

I have a vertical GOSM and found with this smoker and the vent system that the higher racks are cooler, buy about 20º or so. I usually put the thicker cuts towards the bottom but have rotated the racks before also.

 

ds7662

Smoking Fanatic

OTBS Member

Sep 30, 2007

985

10

Richmond,VA

• Jan 3, 2008

• #8

I do rotate as well due to the side with the firebox being slightly hotter.

 

fritz

Meat Mopper

Nov 12, 2007

287

10

Rochester, NY

• Jan 3, 2008

• #9

Raven, I have the same GOSM as you have and with the water pan full I do not see a big difference in the box temp. top to bottom. The boiling point of the water seems to keep it consistance. I do however flip my ribs, not thicker cuts of meat.