Chicken Leg Racks - Tried Out 2 Different Styles

[jeffed76]

So chicken is my favorite thing to smoke.  With 4 kids & a wife, I smoke a lot of chicken on a weekly basis. I found two different styles of chicken leg racks at the store and of course had to try them both out.  I really like the racks because it allows me to maximize my grilling area. Here are my opinions on them:

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• jeffed76
• Jun 16, 2013

1.  Upside down rack - I like the this rack because the finished product looks nicer.  The only issue is that they are hard to mop and some of the smaller legs fall out of the holders.  Another upside to this setup is that it can potentially hold more legs.  Legs can be placed the in open spaces seen below, but it would defiantly get crowded and would probably make a negative impact on the presentation.

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• jeffed76
• Jun 16, 2013

2. Right side up rack - When the legs are done being cooked they are not near as pretty as the upside down rack.  The meat of the leg is missing that tasty crisp look.  The upside to this rig is that the legs are super easy to mop and it doubles as a stuffed jalapenos rack (I have not doubt it started as a jalapeno rack).  It will hold up to 18 wings, but it gets pretty crowded.

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• jeffed76
• Jun 16, 2013

If you guys have any thoughts or different chicken leg rigs please post.

THANKS!

Jeff

 

[themule69]

Legs Look great Jeff.

Happy smoken.

David

 

[oldschoolbbq]

Looks good. The up-right one looks like an ABT holder.

 

[so ms smoker]

  For the upright racks I think I would trim for lollipop legs and smoke at a higher temp to get the skin done.

   Mike

 

[bigtrain74]

 

[jeffed76]

  For the upright racks I think I would trim for lollipop legs and smoke at a higher temp to get the skin done.

   Mike

This is a total nube question, but does that mean you trim everything off of the bone? I'm going to have to try that.

 

[dockman]

I use a upside down rack and love it.

 

[dirtsailor2003]

I have several of the upside down racks and used to use them all the time in my Gas Smoker. They are to big to fit in my Mini-WSM. I always liked the way the legs turned out. Mopping wasn't that big of a deal since I very rarely sauce ours. When I do I only sauce right at the end. I pull them off sauce them and put them on a hot grill to finish. I guess another option is to take them off, dip in sauce and re-hang.

 

[jeffed76]

I guess another option is to take them off, dip in sauce and re-hang.

Brilliant!

 

[fwismoker]

Brilliant!

Yep, I was thinking of mopping the outside and then spinning the drumstick....I like the hanging holder. 

 

[ghostred7]

 I guess another option is to take them off, dip in sauce and re-hang.

That's what I do.  I always do 50/50 "hot & not."  I have a bowl that I've used to toss wings, etc that I usually have filled with my "mop" sauce.  I'll pull them off the rack, dip em, and quickly put it back on there.

I couldn't find another upside down one...so I'll be doing both ways today.  The idea about the lollipop ones in the ABT/right-side-up one is awesome and I'm trying that tonight for the hot half (queue Rod Stewart's "Hot Legs" here).

 

[jeffed76]

Make sure to post pics of those lollipop chicks!