How many slabs of ribs can you fit on a 22.5" Kettle ;)

[JeffJ]

6 slabs plus chicken for 8 people? I usually estimate 1/3 slab per person. You can fit 3 slabs into a 22.5 + SnS without getting too creative.

[jfmorris]

I like to have leftovers. And some of the guys can polish off 1/2 to a full slab of ribs. 3 racks isn’t enough, 6 is probably too much, but it won’t go to waste, I promise!

[Red Man]

I can fit two on mine. 😞
Clearly I’m not trying too hard but I like the even cooking with them both laying flat on the main grate. You guys with rib racks and/or hover grills don’t have evenness issues? Is rotating once or twice enough to even things out?

[Polarbear777]

I rotate once in the middle and once near the end when saucing. Works well.

Though since I got the PBC the other cookers haven’t seen rib racks.

[jfmorris]

Rotating top to bottom using the hovergrill, or flipping in a rib rack about halfway through works well for me.

[FireMan]

Glad everything worked out with your neck. Most happy anniversary!
As far as the wibs go, you’ve had plenty of input.

[jfmorris]

Thanks!

[Steve R.]

For future reference, those racks held in a circle shape with skewers is a good way to maximize space, in my experience.

[Willy]

Not on topic, but..

I used to go to Huntsville a lot on business travel. I remember the two Greenbriar BBQ joints and some of the rivalry/disputes about which was the true "original". I liked the one that was a few miles north of the freeway--great hushpuppies gratis. Do you enjoy either of the places? I also remember Bubba's Sushi joint, which closed before I stopped coming to Huntsville. I ate there during a torrential rain with tornado sirens wailing all around. No one sitting by the huge plate glass windows, or anywhere else for that matter, seemed concerned; I darn near peed my pants.

[jfmorris]

The Greenbrier north of the highway was the original spot, owned by a former employee I think after the original owners moved closer to I-565. That spot is long closed, but the one north of it that you liked is still in business, making those same hush puppies!

[Troutman]

There’s the answer, order a bunch of ribs from Greenbrier’s, stash them in foil in your oven, when guests arrive throw open you kettle, splash a little water on your face and everyone will think you a bbq hero !! You could end with dramatic flair by saucing them in front of everyone like you just got done with the cook !! Problem solved, job done

[jfmorris]

i Can’t drive now, and my ribs are 10x better than that joint. Not even sure they have ribs, lots of pork, chicken, fried fish, etc.

[Troutman]

Awe I was just messin’ with you JF.

[jfmorris]

Well, when shopping wife wanted more chicken, for eating all week, so I have 6 racks of ribs, 4 whole chickens and 8 split artichokes (16 halves), boiled and ready to go on the grill after a brush of olive oil and some salt/pepper. I’m tired already!

[RonB]

Ya got this made. All you have to do is start yesterday.

[RonB]

This won't help for tomorrow's cook, but you could get a piece of ss sheet 6' long and maybe 6" to 10" wide and make a circular extension to raise the lid of your kettle. put three bolts around the extension to hold a second grate and you'd be able to cook ribs for that crowd. If you are interested, I can give more detail.

[jfmorris]

Well the cook went well. Ribs went on about 1pm, chicken at 4:15. Pulled chicken about 5:4p, ribs at 5:55. Dinner was at 6.

forgot to take a single picture of the cook! I took out the spacer plate in the Grillgrate set, and split it into 3 two grate sections, with about an inch or so gap between them. Had one slab of ribs on the center, with the Smoke monitoring the grate level temp, and chicken on left and right over the outside burners. The Genesis on low maintained an almost perfect 250 at the center grate, but was hot enough to cook the chicken. Rotated 3 slabs through the gasser, and towards the end, tossed a slab on top of the 5 in the kettle, and cranked the heat to crisp up the chicken.

Here is a pic of the finish results that I took after my son already started getting into the ribs...

Sadly, about 3 hours after dinner my wife remembered the artichokes that were prepped for the grill yesterday! Oops! We will cook those tomorrow...

[JeffJ]

That's a lot of meat. It looks fantastic.

[jfmorris]

Thanks JeffJ !

[Nuke em]

One thing I have done is stand the ribs in the rib rack and the last one just lay on top of them. Worked just as good. I call it a rib roof

[jfmorris]

That is exactly what I did towards the end of the cook, as I wanted to crank the gasser higher than 250 to finish the chicken. That put that slab up close to the top of the kettle, so if I did that for the entire cook, I would just rotate which slab of ribs was on top a few times.

[fzxdoc]

Nice work, jfmorris . I knew you'd find a way. Looks like a great meal for the whole family.

Happy anniversary!

Kathryn

[jfmorris]

Thanks Kathryn! It was a great meal, kids spent 5-6 hours just hanging out, which was the biggest gift we could have had, and I sent leftovers home with anyone that wanted some.

[BRic]

Your ribs and chicken look amazing !!

[jfmorris]

Thanks!