Hi. Tomorrow is my first run on an 18.5 WSM. I'm smoking baby backs. I'll use both grates. I've always soaked my wood when smoking on my kettle grill. Should I with this smoker? Second, I usually use the 3-2-1 method. Is that still a good idea? If so, do you just pull the top grate and set it aside while you do the wrapping? Thanks for any help!
First smoke tomorrow! Couple of Q's
- Thread starter J Drew
- Start date
Michael Smotch
TVWBB Fan
No need to soak chunks, I do 2-2-1 with baby back. 3-2-1 more for spares or st louis cut. You can fit both ribs on top rack with the 18.5.
Thanks Michael. I'm smoking four racks so I assume both grates will be needed. 2-2-1 sounds good.
THoey
TVWBB Super Fan
It also depends on what temp your smoker likes to cook at. My 22 likes 275*. I do SLC ribs in 4 hours. First two hours nekkid, the third hour I pull them, wrap them and put them back (they are not really cooking for that whole hour), and the fourth hour I pull them, unwrap, and put them back on, then start bend test around 30 mins into the fourth hour. They are usually done before the fourth hour is up.
Jerry N.
TVWBB Emerald Member
This is the problem with using the top and bottom racks. It's somewhat a pain. Basically, yes, you just set the top rack aside. Couple things to keep in mind:
You'll want a good landing area so that the grease doesn't get all over whatever you set it on and so it doesn't pick up anything (don't set it on the ground). So I use a little side table and either set the grate on an old cookie sheet I use or just lay down some foil or paper towel to set it on. Since you have a kettle, you can set it there.
Get your ribs out and close the lid. Don't work with the lid open or the fire will get away from you.
Take the opportunity to swap the ribs from top to bottom and bottom to top. I don't think this makes a big difference, but I do it anyway.
With regard to soaking wood - I wouldn't bother. Chris has an article on this and it doesn't appear that wood absorbs much of the water anyway.
3-2-1 with baby backs is a bit long in foil. Personally, instead of 2-2-1, I go more like 3.5-1-1. IMO, an hour is plenty of time in foil for baby backs.