my first time.. spare ribs just went in!

[webowabo]

First time with my new smoker.. lets hope they turn out. I have a propane 30" calebs, using mesquite chips.Cooking up two racks of spare ribs. I did have to cut them in half to fit, hope that doesnt hurt. How often am I gonna need to add more chips, and how long will a small bag last? I noticed I didnt put enough chips in just to get the smoker to 225*, and the temp dropped down quick when I added more.. is that normal and ok throughout the cooktime?

 

[rbranstner]

The more you open the door the longer it takes for the meat to get done. The less times you have to open the smoker the better. Just make sure you don't over due the smoke. You don't want a lot of thick white billowing smoke you want a nice thin blue smoke. If you can smell the smoke then you are smoking.

 

[webowabo]

thanks, i like that tip. :)

 

[lexscsmoker]

if you do the 3-2-1 or 3-2-2 method then the only time you will open up your smoker is to foil then unfoil. 

 

[mballi3011]

Well the ribs look good so far. Now that small bag of chips should last you for the whole smoke. I would also recommend the 3-2-1 method. I would smoke a rack that way and then you can adjust it more to your liking, like I did I use more like a 3-1/14-3/4 for my liking.