Ribs fell off the hook into the fire...second lesson

[Catfish63]

I had heard about this happening and really wanted to avoid it. I actually started checking the ribs every 15 minutes, so that spared me great agony. I'm guessing I lifted the lid minutes to seconds before it fell off the hook.

1. I inserted the hook at least 2 rib bones down on the thick side of the St. Louis rack.
2. The meat had been sauced about 13 minutes prior.
3. Internal temp between bones was approx. 190 at saucing.

Main question for this group:
Is this why I see so many PBC videos with Pitmasters using the grate and laying ribs flat instead of using the hooks? (Especially on competition vids)

[dpearce]

Been there done that.

I've learned to double hook, plus I cut the ribs in half now, so there's a good bit of space between the coals and meat. More even cooking I feel, as the small end was always hanging pretty close to the coals. That was a trick I learned here, by the way.

Even so, I'll use the grate from time to time. Saves some time messing with the hooks.

[Sid P]

Yep, the answer is double-hooking.

[jayjordan]

I’m a double hooker as well.

[Troutman]

I'll 3rd the double hooking and second cutting in half. Got tired of the last couple of ribs getting over cooked, solved with half racks. Plus, much easier to handle.

[Ace]

Like dpearce above.
I've used the hooks a few times but have switched to the grate as it is a fail safe with no worries. If using the hooks, I'll either double hook them or cut them in half so that the weight is reduced and the meat is farther away from the fire...

[Catfish63]

I'm detecting a trend here...lol

[dpearce]

Yes! Definitely! By the way, double-hooking meatloaf does not work as well as ribs do! Hah!

[58limited]

dpearce Well duh, it takes three hooks for meatloaf

[tstalafuse]

That is why I have never used the hooks despite assurances that they won't end up in the fire. Although, I don't want to get left out from the hanging ribs crowd, so I have considered using flat rotisserie baskets to hold the ribs. The ones I have in my saved for later Amazon cart (currently sold out) are long/wide enough to hold two full racks.

[TomfromtheSoo]

I did the lower grate mod as shown on this video. It keeps a rack out of the fire if it falls. I had one fall in the fire once, and one fall on lower grate once.

I’ve also flipped the racks end for end when cooking. Now I mostly cut tem in half.

Here is the lower grate mod. I’ve also cooked directly on the lower grate when I wanted to so it is a helpful mod:

https://youtu.be/QCtYrbA5OIY?si=5wmospSguVPpZ8in

[Murdy]

I double hook with my Bronco. I had one fall into the fire once, and just brushed it off a little and ate it. I was working with the smoker at the time and noticed right away, so it wasn't down there very long. Seemed fine to me. There was no sauce on then at the time.

[HawkerXP]

Always use the hooks. 1st below bone #3. Second, hooked to the first and inserted further down.


PBC, PBC, PBC!

[Catfish63]

THIS is why I enjoy this site! Great tip!

[HawkerXP]

When you want to cook 6 or 8 racks you'll have to hang.Hang them high.

[Troutman]

WSM, WSM, WSM

[drobinson]

Avoid hookers at all costs!!!!

[Catfish63]

I flew Chinook helicopters for 23 years...I don't avoid "Hookers"! LOL

[Murdy]

If you avoid costs, avoiding hookers is easy.

[Troutman]

Even if you protect your protein ??

[Hulagn1971]

I've only cooked in my WSM's once using the Hunsaker hanging rack system. I did purchase their heavy duty hooks and double hooked each rack (18 racks of St. Louis cut). Full racks (not halved). None fell into the bottom luckily.

[TripleB]

Did anyone mention “double hook”.

[Troutman]

No, but in your case would you advise "triple hooking"?

[CRO]

When I do ribs on the PBC, I hook as far down as I can (usually a 3rd down the rack).
I think this serves a dual purpose; 1) Elevating the ribs away from the basket 2) More support so they don't fall.

[Duanessmokedmeats]

Double hook, aka Daisy chained

[Michael_in_TX]

Like nearly everyone, I had a rack slip off into the fire once and then started to double-hook my ribs and have had no problems.

However, in the last two years I've sidestepped this problem entirely (or so seems). I have since taken to cutting my ribs (I exclusively do baby backs) in half and single-hooking them. I also leave the membrane on (turns out, I like it!), which probably helps a bit.

[Hulagn1971]

+1 on leaving the membrane on. I started doing this on all my ribs the last 2 years.

[Purc]

+2 membrane on when hanging, but membrane off when flat on the grill grate

[Soonerpop]

I’ve always used hooks. I have a PBJ, so I’ve always cut the racks in half. No problems.