Chicken and Ribs - first time using Pro Excel 20
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Chicken and Ribs - first time using Pro Excel 20
Hi. I am planning to use my smoker (birthday present) for the first time tomorrow and want to cook ribs and one whole chicken (whiskey marmalade recipe). Obviously they have different cooking times etc.so any tips would be good. PS also looking to roast some potatoes.
Smokestack- Sausage Burner
- Number of posts : 5
Location : chilli hot! Bristol England
Registration date : 2011-07-08
Re: Chicken and Ribs - first time using Pro Excel 20
Whack a half full load of charcoal through first before any food to get rid of any packing grease or polystyrene.. that always makes food taste dodgy ;-)
You don't say what sort of ribs - baby back ribs's take about 2 1/2 to 3 hours and spare ribs can take 5-6 hours.
I never do chickens whole - I split them in half (cut either side of backbone and split the breast). This way takes about 11/2 to 2 hours.
Have you calibrated the temp gauge or do you have a proper one? You need to avoid peeking too much at the food - its a very zen like process...
One last thing - if its windy then watch out for the wind stealing all the heat; try to find a sheltered corner (or do what I do and stick it in the garage next to the door!)...
Best of all enjoy it and post back with pics as to how you got on!
You don't say what sort of ribs - baby back ribs's take about 2 1/2 to 3 hours and spare ribs can take 5-6 hours.
I never do chickens whole - I split them in half (cut either side of backbone and split the breast). This way takes about 11/2 to 2 hours.
Have you calibrated the temp gauge or do you have a proper one? You need to avoid peeking too much at the food - its a very zen like process...
One last thing - if its windy then watch out for the wind stealing all the heat; try to find a sheltered corner (or do what I do and stick it in the garage next to the door!)...
Best of all enjoy it and post back with pics as to how you got on!
TobyAnscombe- Sausage Burner
- Number of posts : 25
Location : Stuff...
Registration date : 2010-05-24
Chicken & ribs
Thanks I have burnt off the paking and will make sure I take some pics - I did read that I need to open the smoker to baste the ribs - willthis extend cooking time with the heat loss?
Smokestack- Sausage Burner
- Number of posts : 5
Location : chilli hot! Bristol England
Registration date : 2011-07-08
Re: Chicken and Ribs - first time using Pro Excel 20
Depends on what sort of ribs you are doing...
Wet ribs (Memphis style) I would only baste over the last half an hour or so; sugar is not fun to work with when you are just starting out.
Best bet would be to start with a dry rub - that way you can just stick them on and leave them.. I posted a while ago a really simple way to do baby backs (as they are the simplest to do..) http://www.macsbbqforum.com/t983-so-you-have-just-got-your-smoker-whats-next
HTH
Wet ribs (Memphis style) I would only baste over the last half an hour or so; sugar is not fun to work with when you are just starting out.
Best bet would be to start with a dry rub - that way you can just stick them on and leave them.. I posted a while ago a really simple way to do baby backs (as they are the simplest to do..) http://www.macsbbqforum.com/t983-so-you-have-just-got-your-smoker-whats-next
HTH
TobyAnscombe- Sausage Burner
- Number of posts : 25
Location : Stuff...
Registration date : 2010-05-24
Chicken & ribs
Thanks will look forward to trying things out tomorrow - ribs are spare ribs so will need the longer time.
Smokestack- Sausage Burner
- Number of posts : 5
Location : chilli hot! Bristol England
Registration date : 2011-07-08
Chicken & ribs - job done!!
Had great fun trying out the Excel 20 for 1st time although used a whole bag of briquettes (6kg) but got up to temperature easily and stayed within 230/240 degrees range whilst the water bath was in use. Water had gone by the time the chicken was cooked so decided to experiment with roast potatoes as we had seen this on a video. Just dropped in 250 gms of lard and added par boiled potatoes once hot. Our friends thought they were best roasties ever and are considering buying a smoker just for them!
The chicken was excellent and really moist and the ribs very tender and tasty - kept basting ribs with BBQ sauce every hour or so and for final hour did a baste and wrapped them in foil.
I have some pics but just need to work out how to add them to my posts
The chicken was excellent and really moist and the ribs very tender and tasty - kept basting ribs with BBQ sauce every hour or so and for final hour did a baste and wrapped them in foil.
I have some pics but just need to work out how to add them to my posts
Smokestack- Sausage Burner
- Number of posts : 5
Location : chilli hot! Bristol England
Registration date : 2011-07-08
Re: Chicken and Ribs - first time using Pro Excel 20
Glad it worked out! Those tatties are the best.
I'm looking forward to the pics, tutorial can be found here https://proq.forumotion.com/t106-posting-photo-s
I'm looking forward to the pics, tutorial can be found here https://proq.forumotion.com/t106-posting-photo-s
Chicken and Ribs - first attempt photos
Roasties first attempt!
Ribs!
and chicken!
Looking forward to the next time!
Thanks for the help with the photos.
Smokestack- Sausage Burner
- Number of posts : 5
Location : chilli hot! Bristol England
Registration date : 2011-07-08
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