How Much Charcoal?

CRC · Joined: 10 Jul 2018 Posts: 3

How much charcoal should I be going through to smoke a rack of ribs for 6 hours (3-2-1 Method) at approximately 225 degrees?

I have a "barrel" style smoker/grill that has an off set smoke box.

Thanks!

jeepdad · Posted: Mon Jul 23 18 6:17 am Post subject:

Others may differ but if I smoked ribs for six hours it would be shoe leather. I smoke mine 4 at most 4.5 hours at 225. And they turn out fantastic. I don't foil I just put them on and 15-20 mins before I pull'em I put the glaze on if I'm not doing dry ribs. I have a WSM so not sure how much charcoal you will need not familiar with your pit.

MountainMan · Posted: Mon Jul 23 18 7:28 am Post subject:

+1 Good answer........

KISS is always best.

SVonhof · Posted: Thu Jul 26 18 2:46 am Post subject:

CRC,
Lots of variables, so it's hard to answer your question.

Offset fire box means that you will lose some heat as the box will radiate heat and some will be lost (not all will go into the cooking chamber). Also depends on how thick the metal is, how well things seal up, how thick the metal is on the cooking chamber as well...
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Scott V.
My BBQ's: Weber Silver B (grill), -UDS-, MUDS/Weber Smokey Joe

AnhartGeorge · Joined: 23 Aug 2018 Posts: 8 Location: Tampa, Florida

frayedend · Posted: Sat Sep 29 18 9:06 pm Post subject:

The 3.2.1 method works great for St. Louis ribs. I'm surprised by the post saying less time, unless they are talking baby backs.

One tip I'd give is to load up on charcoal. I have an Oklahoma Joe Highland and I initially thought that I'd use less charcoal to keep 225 and add as needed. What I found was that I could not maintain temps. I'd start high and quickly lose heat and have to add more. But now I load the crap out of the fire box. First with one full chimney started and put a big load on top of it. With the firebox open I wait a good while for the fire to clean up, close the firebox and wait for the smoke coming out of the stack to get clean (it tends to get dirty when first closing the firebox).

With a good full firebox it was much easier to keep 225 for a very long time.
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Jim