Tried the snake method

[WNC]

Tried the snake method for the first time today. I usually use my wsm for ribs and such, but for just one rack and seeing all the snake method cooks on the the site I had to try it. Great results! Ran a little hot, about 300 degrees but overall I was really happy.
Snake ready to go

After about 3 hours mopped and sauced

Thanks for looking, justin

[1911Ron]

Good looking ribs!  How many lit coals did you use? the more you use the hotter temp the fewer you get a lower temp.

[f2benny]

I always snake the briquettes.   I stay at 220 to 250 with just a crack in the bottom vents.  I will say that seems like alot of the wood to me.  A few chunks in the first foot seems best to me.   Was it very smoky?

[Jocool]

I love the snake.

[WNC]

Thanks guys!

I think I just needed to shut the vents down more. It ran at 250-275 for a couple of hours, then seemed to settle in at 300. I closed them a little more then half when I noticed it creeping up, maybe even more than that though.

Not too much smoke for my taste, but I might like it a little heavier than most. Plus it was apple wood, probably wouldn't have used that much if I was using something like hickory.

Thanks again for the comments and inspiration

[wyd]

WNC I use Mesquite because like you I do prefer a little heavier smokey flavor when I grill.  Hickory would be good to use as well.

[Johnpv]

For me I usually have both vents fairly closed.  Some times I have the bottom vents just open a hair, and the top vents like 1/4 open.

[dazzo]

For me I usually have both vents fairly closed.  Some times I have the bottom vents just open a hair, and the top vents like 1/4 open.

Funny how this works.

On my Performer, or on a three wheeler, bottom vents are left open, top vent is closed down a bit if I feel it's getting too hot (300+).

Snake is a row of two using KKB, with another row of two on top of it, and a couple chunks of wood on top, closer to the lit end (right to left for pork).

That's what works for me.

[Mmmmm]

With a little experience you can nail the 230-250 range quite consistently with all vents wide open. If it's running a bit hot close top vent just slightly. If it's running a bit cool take a lit coal or two off the tail end of the snake and place it just ahead of the last lit coal on top of the unlit stuff. In a bit you'll have a little more of your snake burning at once and your temp will climb where you need it. That's one of the things I like about the snake - clean combustion due to free airflow with vents wide open. Very thin blue smoke.