Pit Barrel Cooker: Cooking time for the max capacity (8 hooks, 8 slabs) for ribs?

[TJenks048]

Really enjoying my PBC!!! I was just wondering........has anybody done 8 slabs of baby backs and how long should I plan for? I have had great success with 2-3 slabs of baby backs. It seems like with 2-3, I can pretty much count on them being done at the 4 hour mark. But I'm making 8 for a 4th of July party and I really need to be on time with these. Seems like it would take longer being at max capacity.............any suggestions?

[Spinaker]

When doing a full load rib cook, I like to start pretty with half a lit basket. (lit charcoal on top of non lit charcoal) This makes sure that the unlit colas are not too saturated with drippings to light. I had this problem on my first few heavy load cooks. I did it with about 4 hours for St. Louis style ribs. Make sure the fire is well established before you add the meat because you are going to have a lot of dripping going on in the PBC. Other than that, you will be just fine.

[TJenks048]

Well the big day is tomorrow!!! Just two more questions.......Is it possible to get it down to 225? And I'm assuming the half basket of lit coals will light the unlit coals good enough in about 5 minutes? And thanks again!!!! I love the help I get here!!!!!

[Spinaker]

You could get it down to 225 F, but running that low can risk snuffing out the fire. The PBC is really meant to be run at around 275 F, let it do it's thing. The half lit basket should light the others, but make sure you give the basket time to catch and start rolling. Don't be worried if the temp spikes over 300 F, let it ride out. @TJenks

[snctom]

I just did 32 racks of St. Louis ribs in 4 PBC's. Took about 4 hours then put a glaze on for about another 15-20 minutes. Spinaker is correct, let the fire get going a little longer than you normally would.