Fitting ribs in the model 2

[smokinitnew]

With the racks only being 14 x 14 you can't fit a rack of ribs inside the smoker intact.  How are you smoking ribs?

 

[Coyote]

In my #2 ,I just cut them in half, still just as good.

 

[swthorpe]

I cut them in half too for my #2.  Works fine.

 

[old sarge]

With the racks only being 14 x 14 you can't fit a rack of ribs inside the smoker intact.  How are you smoking ribs?

You don't indicate if you have the #2.  If not you can always get the #3.  But as you have been told, cut the ribs in half.  You may find a similar situation and solution with a full packer brisket versus shelf space.

 

[smokeasaurus]

I used to shudder at the thought of cutting ribs in half.

Once I did it, I realized they come out just as good cut in half as a whole rack.

 

[Papa Rick]

I always have to cut mine in half to get them to fit in my #2.  I do 5 racks at a time.  I found it does better when I cut them in half to start at the bottom with the biggest ones and work my way to the top. 

 

[Timinator]

I always have to cut mine in half to get them to fit in my #2.  I do 5 racks at a time.  I found it does better when I cut them in half to start at the bottom with the biggest ones and work my way to the top.

Are you cycling the racks during the smoke from top to bottom and such or just arranging by thickness?

 

[Walt]

If only cooking a rac or two, arranging diagonally will usually allow an unmolested rack in the #2. I usually smoke @ least 3 racks @ a time so i do as Papa Rick recommends & it does not require cycling. Last night I cooked 3 racks & tried something  new. I cut the racks into 2 and 3 bone individual sections. I wanted a cleaner presentation for plating much like when cooking salmon. Same cooking time, beautifull presentation and no drop in quality. I will do it this way from now on.

This whole "you have to cut the rack" is a silly rationale for decision making. Most folks dont eat an entire rack by themselves.  Therefore, they have to be cut @ some point & I can verify it does not affect the quality.  Also, I cook 20lb briskets in my #2 whole with great success. I have never needed more real estate for cooking. I regularily cook for gatherings of 10 to 20. The bigger units would be nice but definitely not necessary for me.

 

[hvacgaspiping]

With the racks only being 14 x 14 you can't fit a rack of ribs inside the smoker intact.  How are you smoking ribs?

I usually smoke 3 racks of ribs at a time by cutting them in half and using 4 shelves.  I use St. Louis ribs, which are plenty thick, but there`s still enough room in my #2 for all of them at once.

 

[Newsmoke]

I’ve done baby backs twice in my 2. I cut them in half. No problem. 3-2-1 method