Fairly New Smoker needing opinions

[jwilson17w]

Hi all, I am fairly new at smoking. Have smoked a few things but recently built me a UDS and man is it a major change over the redneck grill i used for smoking lol. Holds temperatures a lot better, I love it. I have yet to try ribs on it. I have a rack of baby backs I want to smoke this evening but have a few questions. I built a hanging rack when i built uds cause i had the extra metal, hanging or laying flat on grate, what is best ribs to you and why? And also, concered when I hang them, one end will be way to close to the fire, I made my charcoal basket a little high, 15" from bottom of drum, 12 inch sides, on 3 inch legs under basket for air. My hanging rack has the bars about a inch from top of drum, Still using a flat lid instead of dome. I plan to square up the ribs a little bit but is one end being to close to the fire a problem? I usually only fill my basket 3/4 of the way full of lump. Thanks for the help and glad to be here!

 

[DanMcG]

Welcome, I start with laying them flat until you're comfortable with the setup ya built

 

[oddegan]

I also would lay them flat. I wouldn't want to risk drying out the low side.

 

[drunkenmeatfist]

I hang ribs when I am cooking them and I have never had an issue with the end closest to the fire. I do have a deflector in place though.

 

[kruizer]

Welcome to SMF from Minnesota. I have never hung ribs but I am going to give it a try in my OKJ Bronco soon.

 

[SmokinAl]

Never hung ribs before, but a lot of guys do it on here with great success. I really don’t understand how the top would cook at the same rate as the bottom, but they seem to make it work.
Good luck,
Al