This past Sunday was my birthday. I thought what better way to celebrate my birthday than breaking in the new smoker with some close friends and family.
I lit the smoker at about 9am, this gave me enough time to figure out how to regulate the temperature to a steady 225 degrees before the ribs needed to be put on at 11am. While the smoker was heating up I got busy at prepping the ribs. I trimmed the fat, removed the back membrane, and gave them a healthy amount of rub on all sides with Jack's Old South Rub. At 11am all 10 racks of ribs went on.
Here is what they looked like after about 3 hours of cooking. Note the thick crust already forming.
About 4pm the temp started to drop below 200 degrees, I opened the charcoal area and I was already out of charcoal, I had to add more. I learned very quickly to be very careful with hot burning charcoal while burning 2 fingers, my feet, and my deck.
I opened the door and yelled for Meagan to bring me a pitcher of water while I tried to extinguish my burning deck. After what seemed like hours I ran inside to check on her, at the same time she was running towards the door with a glass of water.....that wasn't going to cut it. I rushed past her to the garage and grabbed the garden hose. I will have to figure out a better way to add more charcoal for next time.
Steve
I lit the smoker at about 9am, this gave me enough time to figure out how to regulate the temperature to a steady 225 degrees before the ribs needed to be put on at 11am. While the smoker was heating up I got busy at prepping the ribs. I trimmed the fat, removed the back membrane, and gave them a healthy amount of rub on all sides with Jack's Old South Rub. At 11am all 10 racks of ribs went on.

Here is what they looked like after about 3 hours of cooking. Note the thick crust already forming.

About 4pm the temp started to drop below 200 degrees, I opened the charcoal area and I was already out of charcoal, I had to add more. I learned very quickly to be very careful with hot burning charcoal while burning 2 fingers, my feet, and my deck.

I opened the door and yelled for Meagan to bring me a pitcher of water while I tried to extinguish my burning deck. After what seemed like hours I ran inside to check on her, at the same time she was running towards the door with a glass of water.....that wasn't going to cut it. I rushed past her to the garage and grabbed the garden hose. I will have to figure out a better way to add more charcoal for next time.
Steve