Upgrades for 045 & Rib Rack Info.

I am happy not using rib racks, sure there will be more comments coming. hope everyone has a good memorial weekend.

God Bless All Our Service-folks

Don't know what the upgrade would cost for the SS shelves but if reasonable it could be worth it. SS will last longer and the plating will ware off the others. You can always use skewers run thru rib to simulate a rib rack and don't have to be bothered with cleaning. I do have a rib rack but don't use it cause I don't like cleaning it.

Get yourself a set of Frogmats silicone mats; they come in hand for smoking all those small things like shrimp, wings, nuts, and work for a wrap for meatloaf. They are very versatile and clean up very easily.

I don't know about the 045 racks but I upgraded my 025 racks and the difference was about $16 per rack for the SS.

I'm with morningflyer on the rib racks. I'd use them in a pinch, but I'd prefer to lay the ribs on the smoker shelves and have a larger smoker to do a larger batch of ribs, if given a choice.

Besides the uneven cooking when the ribs are vertical, I find I'm knocking off rub and/or sauce placing them in and out of the racks.

I bought the SS grills after I bought the smoker and they cost me a bloody fortune...$65 as I recall...but I really like 'em.

If you don't scrub the standard grills with a metal brush (like I did) they should last a long, long time.

The difference in regular racks an SS is about $16.00 a piece, well worth it. I use the rib rack and love it, no problem with uneven cooking. My thoughts, buy everything they have an then you have it when you need it.

A cover is a definite option you want.
You might want to consider the cold smoking plate. I didn't buy either when I got my 045, I quickly got the cover, now I'm seriously looking at the cold smoker plate for cheeses and salmon.

You'll love what you can do with the 045.

I use the rib rack if i am doing 4-5 slabs, because I can have all of them on the top shelf.

For only 2 usually lay them down.

If doing 6-9 I hang them using the SS riib hooks.

Also, on the racks, SS if $$ is not an issue.

Jerky rods are cheap and useful but you can buy SS rod at a hardware store.

The 45 might come with 'rib hooks' but if not, I would get them instead of the rib racks.

The stainless racks are good. I had an 008 and wore the plating off the racks by being anal about clean up. When I switched to an 055 I also ordered the SS racks (not knowing there might have been an upgrade). Now I just stick the racks in the dishwasher so the original racks should last a long time. Haven't used the SS racks yet.

I would only get the cover if your 45 won't be under some sort of roof. My 55 is on a back deck and under an overhang that keeps snow and rain off of it. Don't need a cover.

My smoker is under the patio awning and have used the smoker cover only once. I'd get the cover if the smoker is not protected. Thought the rib racks may work better in the smoker than on the grill.

I've got the charcoal store rib rack, only use it when I make a lot of ribs. Standard shelves on mine, just throw them in the dishwasher every couple of smokes. For the time being I roll the smoker in and out of the house. Gonna build it a permanent home sometime this summer.

The three things I cant live without....
Thermometer
Cover
Heavy duty foil

Nice to have...
Rib racks
Frog mats
cooler

Extra if you have $$ to spend
SS racks
cold plate baffle
more thermometers

I'm with El, except I keep the smoker in the garage, so no cover is needed...but make sure the foil is 18" wide and REAL long.