My first smoke - Baby Back Ribs w/ Qview

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vic81

Fire Starter
Original poster
Aug 26, 2010
56
10
Marietta, GA
So I fired up my new (my first) smoker today.  Got started around 10:30 with heating the firebox up.  On the menu - Baby Back Ribs, we had company coming over for dinner tonight planned.   I used mustard and some dry rub to get things seasoned.  Following the 2-2-1 method, I have to say these were the best ribs I have ever made - considering I typically just grill them.  The meat was great, fall of the bone and juicy, not dry.  I did have to add more charcoal from time to time in an effort to keep the temp up.  As others have stated, the temp gauge that came with the smoker was off by ~20 degrees, luckly the temp gauge inside the smoker seemed to be on the mark and I was able to just mentally keep things in check using the gauge on the outside knowing it was off.   Here are some pics:

Ribs as I put them on the smoker:

e6ad340c_ribs1.jpg


After 2 hours, just before I foiled them:

71937e11_ribs2.jpg


the final product 
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c3a0813f_ribs3.jpg
 
Awesome job. 

What wood did you use?
I used apple with some small amounts of oak.  I think next time I will use a little more oak in bigger pieces.  I also soaked the apple chips for a few minutes before throwing them in the chip pan.  Here is a pic of my pan setup:

dc3a1022_firebox2.jpg
 
I like oak alot, need to get some more.  I think  my sister has quite a bit I need to get my hands on.

Like the set up for your chips
 
Nice basket set-up there.  Is that basket re-purposed from something else, or was it designed to be a charcoal basket?

Did you spray your ribs before you put them in foil or at any point after foiling?  If so, what did you spray them with?

Sorry for all of the questions, but its how I learn
biggrin.gif
 
Nice basket set-up there.  Is that basket re-purposed from something else, or was it designed to be a charcoal basket?

Did you spray your ribs before you put them in foil or at any point after foiling?  If so, what did you spray them with?

Sorry for all of the questions, but its how I learn
biggrin.gif
The basket is from lowe's -  vegetable basket.  I looked on there website but didn't see it.  Here in Atlanta it was on clearance for something like $10.99.  All you have to do it cut off the sides and then the handle mount.  I used an angle grinder with a metal blade but a hack saw and a drill (for the rivets holding the handle mount in place) would do the trick.  check out this guy's site for some info on it: http://grillinfools.com/2009/03/16/offsethorizontal-smoker-modifications/

I didn't spray the ribs with anything.  I was actually surprised when I took the foil off how much juice from the ribs was in the bottom.  Next time I may try mopping them with apple juice - I hear that adds some great flavor.   
 
 
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The basket is from lowe's -  vegetable basket.  I looked on there website but didn't see it.  Here in Atlanta it was on clearance for something like $10.99.  All you have to do it cut off the sides and then the handle mount.  I used an angle grinder with a metal blade but a hack saw and a drill (for the rivets holding the handle mount in place) would do the trick.  check out this guy's site for some info on it: http://grillinfools.com/2009/03/16/offsethorizontal-smoker-modifications/

I didn't spray the ribs with anything.  I was actually surprised when I took the foil off how much juice from the ribs was in the bottom.  Next time I may try mopping them with apple juice - I hear that adds some great flavor.   
 
Thanks for the info!  How long have you been using that basket?  I read on here somewhere that those baskets tend to warp in short order because of the direct contact with the coals/wood at high temps.  But the basket is cheap enough that I'd be willing to give it a shot.  Just wondering what your experience has been.
 
 
Great looking ribs especially for a first smoke - congrats
 
Thanks for the info!  How long have you been using that basket?  I read on here somewhere that those baskets tend to warp in short order because of the direct contact with the coals/wood at high temps.  But the basket is cheap enough that I'd be willing to give it a shot.  Just wondering what your experience has been.
 
this was my first time using it - so far it looks pretty strong, granted I only smoked the ribs for ~5 hours.  I could see it wearing out at the end of the season.  but like you said, at $10-15 a pop it isn't that bad.

 
Great looking ribs especially for a first smoke - congrats
thanks!
 
 
Hey - saw your notes on the Char Griller that you just got.  Congratulations.  I'll bet it was a bear getting it up on a deck.  .

Quick question about the two mods you did.  Is the piping to keep the heat/smoke in longer/better?  Was that bought at Lowe's? 

The basket, was it in the fire box or the charcoal side chamber?

Thanks - Mark, Keller, TX
 
Hey - saw your notes on the Char Griller that you just got.  Congratulations.  I'll bet it was a bear getting it up on a deck.  .

Quick question about the two mods you did.  Is the piping to keep the heat/smoke in longer/better?  Was that bought at Lowe's? 

The basket, was it in the fire box or the charcoal side chamber?

Thanks - Mark, Keller, TX
LOL - my wife helped me carry it up the two flights of stairs....needless to say I had a neck cramp for three days after.

I didn't use the smoker without the piping, but from what I can tell it is helping keep the smoke / heat in better.  I did do a test smoke before using it without the extension or the basket and the temp only reached 200 on the stock gauge.  That said I think it is a great mod for the money.  I did get the pipe at Lowe's - look in the hvac section, 3" dia.  I didn't have to cut it, it fit right on the smoke stack inside the smoking chamber.  I did drill a small hole and used a single metal screw in addition to the pipe clamp to hold it in place.

As for the basket, I got it at Lowe's also.  I checked Home Depot, but they didn't have it.  I put it in the fireside box and used the nuts/bolts to elevate it off the bottom that way more air could get to the coals and they won't smother in their own ash.  
 
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