Max # of ribs which can be done in my FEC100

Todd, did you get Rib Rack Shelf's with your smoker?? This is the way to get the max number of slabs in your smoker. The Rib racks hold each slab vertically. MY AQ Rib Shelf's hold 7 slabs each and I think the FEC holds even more (I think 12). You can put 4 Rib Rack Shelves loaded (~48 slabs) into the FEC 100, but I think that might be overloading....

It depends on how you trim them, but we can usually get 3 slabs per shelf.
Rib racks would be different. Maybe someone here can give you some information on racks.

Welcome to the CS forum Todd.

How many racks do you want to produce? Do you have a rib rack(s)?

I usually cook 12 racks of 3 lb babybacks...3 racks @ shelf.

The FEC is designed to convect heat and smoker around the chamber. You will get minor hot spots on the top and bottom rack position.

Again, let us know the number of racks you wish to cook and we'll better advise you. Also, what size (weight) are the SL Spares?

Welcome Todd.
I have extra racks for mine and last week did brisket flats, 2 per shelf single spaced with no problems so I think as long as you left at least an inch or two between ribs they would be OK. As has been said, rib racks will give you the most and they will cook different based on location in the smoker. Good luck and keep us posted.

Thanks to everyone for replies.

Unforunately, I don't have rib racks. That will have to be my next purchase.

I have to admit to not knowing the size of the SL cut I get from the store. But I have done 15 in there and they have come out great. Just trying to figure out if I can jam more in there and not impede circulation. (i know my old AQ would choke on too many racks as circulation would be cut off)

I still have my old AQ and will use that as a secondary smoker for the party.

Hoping to do 25 racks (again, don't know the size but will find out) betwen the two of them.

Thanks again.

I think you will have to use some common sense here.Do you want the FEC to do all the work and you just take out the perfect slabs?

Like they say,maybe 3-4 racks per shelf.

On the FEC ,you will have hot spots,and you will see where airflow can be constricted.Yes, you can rotate whole racks,and move heavy slabs to hot spots.

Guys cooking large volumes on a charcoal cooker will have to stack slabs and rotate for even cooking.Smart cooks do well,on any cooker.

You pull as done and rotate as needed,like ANY rib cooker.You might double the racks per shelf.

With 4 rib racks we rotate and pay attention, for 40 plus trimmed slabs.The cooker handles this easily.

Yes,you can cram more,like any cooker,but the cook determines how they handle a quality product.With seven racks can you pay attention to when ribs finish?

You must determine when to pull your product.The FEC can be cranked to do the cooking part of the project.

A cook wanting to pay attention to the cooker,rotate and flip as needed,properly trimmed,can layer slabs.There is no rule I know of that slabs can't touch or be stacked.

Yes,a good cook,understanding his cooker,paying attention to his product,ought to easily handle forty slabs at a time.A cook in need,that pays attention,might do half again as much.

Have fun and watch the FEC and you should do fine.

Having a fine cooker like the AQ is certainly a luxury,even as a holding oven.It allows you the leisure of not having to work yourself with just the FEC.