Catching drippings from a rib roast

[mike.stavlund]

This year, I switched from the kettle to the WSM for the turkeys, mostly because I wanted a good way to catch the drippings for the gravy (I ended up putting a pan with carrots/onions/celery along with the neck and giblets on the lower rack, which gave me some wonderful pan gravy).  It was kind of a pain to get the smoker up to 350 or so, and used a lot of fuel.  But the results were good.

So my birthday is Saturday, and I treated myself to a 3-bone standing rib roast.  I'd really like to do it in the kettle, since it seems to have more radiant heat and will give a good crust to the meat.  The challenge is that every time I put a pan in the bottom of the kettle, I end up with a lot of ash and bits of coal in it.  Have any of y'all learned any tricks to elevating that pan above the coals, or perhaps some way to keep the coals/ash away from my beloved drippings?   My wife wants to try to make Yorkshire Pudding, and I want some clean beef fat to contribute to that project.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[1911Ron]

If you have fire bricks, put a couple under the pan and it should raise it almost to the grate if not up to it.

[Duke]

You could also just use a roast rack with a pan under it.

[1buckie]

Duke & Ron's ideas will work fine.....
Another is poke around & find a 6" deep disposable alum. pan, they're
out there, just not as easy to find as the standard 4"

Start off with a small amount of water or beef broth as that keeps the 1st drippimgs from drying out before you get a good drizzle going.....

[Heyjude]

You could seperate the coals with the fire bricks or wrap some foil around the drip pan to help keep the ash out. I cooked a turkey over a pan and was very careful to not disturb the coals..
I also don't think a little ash ever hurt anyone! 

[mike.stavlund]

I tried fashioning a collar for the drip pan out of aluminum foil, but gave up and just wrapped some bricks in the foil and used them to elevate the pan to maybe one inch below the top grate.  It worked out perfectly, and left me with some very clean fat.  Thanks, everyone!

PS.  the roast was most excellent as well.  With sides of roasted red peppers, brussels sprouts, and a medley of new potatoes. 

[1buckie]

Glad it worked out !!!!

Any pics ?
An invitation, not a demand, mind you !!! 

[mike.stavlund]

I started taking pics, but then got all preoccupied with that smell and completely forgot to take any more.  They are all 'before' photos, unfortunately. 

[1buckie]

I started taking pics, but then got all preoccupied with that smell and completely forgot to take any more.  They are all 'before' photos, unfortunately.

That's Cool.....
Happens to me all the time !!!

Glad it went well !!!!!!