New to smoking, need help with new smoker.

[curtlow]

Hey all, new to smoking and not sure about the smoker I want to buy. It's an upright propane smoker, but its not very wide. Doesn't seem wide enough to lay a rack of ribs or brisket flat on the rack. Its probably about 16-18" wide inside. How would you smoke a rack of ribs or brisket in this smoker if it doesn't lay flat on the racks? Would you cut down the brisket to fit on the racks, and hang the ribs from the top rack? Or would you do something different? Thanks for the responses in advance. Curtis

 

[smokin relaxin steve]

I have a Brinkman Vertical Gas Smoker its not very wide and I wasnt sure if i would be able to fit a brisket... I was able to squeeze it in (a little snug) w/ the 2 ends lipped up a bit on the side... after about the 6hr mark it was sitting on the rack pretty... when i do ribs i just split the racks (id pull the membrane before you split em though)... hope that helps...

 

[nickelmore]

I have seen and heard folk talk about a rib rack.

Basically you cut the slab in half and stand them on edge. They look pretty cool. I have never used them myself. They have them at most places that sell grill accessories.

 

[hdsmoke]

alot of times you can bend ribs a little to go around the edge of the smoker...cant help with a brisket...but i would think a flat by itself would fit on that size rack. If you mean a whole packer brisket you can seperate the flat from the point and smoke seperate.

 

[crazyalaskan]

i was just at home depot and they had rib racks for pretty cheap. looks like a good little unit. i bought one but have not tried it yet. i'll let ya know. also it looks like it would hold a small brisket. good luck

 

[graybeard]

Toothpicks work GREAT!

beard

 

[curtlow]

Cool Replies helped a lot. Wasn't sure if I should cut the rack of ribs in half or not. Didn't know it that would change the cook time, etc. thanks again for the replies.

 

[billyq]

Have you looked into the GOSM wide body smoker from walmart? It will fit a whole rack of ribs laying down flat so there is no need to cut them in half. It is made by Landman and gets pretty good reviews. I have the smaller version of it and use it as my primary butt cooker. It works very well.