Did some ribs tonight. They came out great!! I am really starting to get the seasoning the way I like it, the mini smoker makes cooking a no brainer. I go from using the 2-1-1 method to using the 4 method (put them on wait 4 hours). Starting to get enough cooks, that I can tell when the seasoning is just sitting on the top of the meat, and will start seasoning and wrapping over night.
Here are the pics/description of the cook.
Most of the seasoning is on the otherside where the meat is located. I am showing this side because I wanted you to see that I had to cut the 3 full racks into 6 half racks.
First level of Ribs on the bottom rack, as you can see I seasoned them pretty well on the top.
Second rack on the second level.
Third rack on the tip top. I am surprised at how often I use the third rack, and I am REALLY glad I built this with three racks instead of just two.
Here is my fire setup. Two pices of Hickory for flavor.
Had to show this. Ribs going in the mini, and I have a 4lb roast going in the kettle. The temp on the kettle shot up to 350-400 almost as soon as I put the lid on. The Mini stays right at 200 or so...
4 hours later the ribs are done. I liked the rub I made this time, bit more spice and not to sweet (That's what the Sweet Baby Rays is for).
Second rack coming off...
Third rack coming off. I put the meater ribs at the bottom of the cooker. Its hotter on the bottom closer to the fire. (side note there is enough room for a small skillet of beans. Good for catching the rib drippings).
Yes this thing really can make some good RIBS.
Ribs didn't take as much smoke as normal, I had them sit out for about an hour while I was seasoning them; but they took enough.
And the payoff.... Took more effort to make the slaw and the beans than it took to make the ribs.
This thing really is good. It takes a bit longer to get a cook going because I am dealing with three racks and because you are lighting fewer coals, you have to light them after all your meat is seasoned. With the kettle, I light the coals, then season the meat so its a bit quicker to get the food on. Conversely, I don't have to work so hard to set up the coals in the mini smoker if I want to do a long smoke. This is probably my last post on this smoker unless I do something really unique. You should see it can cook all your basic meats.
jay
