Ribs: Charcoal Snake

[bill ace 350]

Have a rack of baby backs I'm getting ready to cook.

Plan on using a snake, 2 coals on the bottom, one on top with apple woods chips/chunks spaced throughout.

I have only done this once a few years ago.

They turned out good, but I can't remember the top and bottom vent positions I used.

Tips?

 

[voyager 663rd]

Top is ALWAYS wide open. Regulate airflow with lower vents.

Start with bottoms wide open. As temps near your target, close lower(s) half way and monitor what happens. I usually leave the one on the "wind" side to do the "heavy lifting" so to speak and leave the ones on the leeward side half open or so.

 

[SmokingUPnorth]

Bill I assume you’re using a kettle? Like stated above top vent wide open. When I do 2 on the bottom and one row in top my kettle usually runs around 270* almost all the way open. I use to do 2 rows of 2 pieces of charcoal and it just ran too hot and I’d have to keep the bottom vent almost all the way closed to keep it under 280*. Each grill will be a little different depending how each seals. But once it’s going and you need to make adjustments just give it about 20-25 minutes for the temp to settle before you adjust again if you need to. And don’t worry about the temp change too much each time a piece of wood starts burning. I also put my wood chunks under the charcoal spaced out so that it’s harder for them to just catch fire.

 

[bill ace 350]

Bill I assume you’re using a kettle? Like stated above top vent wide open. When I do 2 on the bottom and one row in top my kettle usually runs around 270* almost all the way open. I use to do 2 rows of 2 pieces of charcoal and it just ran too hot and I’d have to keep the bottom vent almost all the way closed to keep it under 280*. Each grill will be a little different depending how each seals. But once it’s going and you need to make adjustments just give it about 20-25 minutes for the temp to settle before you adjust again if you need to. And don’t worry about the temp change too much each time a piece of wood starts burning. I also put my wood chunks under the charcoal spaced out so that it’s harder for them to just catch fire.

Yes, a kettle. Appreciate the help!

 

[SmokingUPnorth]

Looks like a good set up. How did they turn out

 

[bill ace 350]

Looks like a good set up. How did they turn out

Pretty happy with them. I was a little light on the rub, but still good.