Not always a success using the WSM.

[abett]

Yesterday I had 4 racks of St. Louis ribs going on the top rack (using a rib rack) and 2 whome chickens on the lower rack. I overcooked the chickens and may have slightly undercooked the ribs. I should get a thermometer and I could have monitored the chickens better.
I usually cook the ribs between 225 and 250 and the chickens at 300.
Maybe shouldn't have attempted all that at once.
Anyway live and learn I guess.

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[abett]

Yesterday I had 4 racks of St. Louis ribs going on the top rack (using a rib rack) and 2 whole chickens on the lower rack. I overcooked the chickens and may have slightly undercooked the ribs. I should get a thermometer and I could have monitored the chickens better.
I usually cook the ribs between 225 and 250 and the chickens at 300.
Maybe shouldn't have attempted all that at once.
Anyway live and learn I guess.

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[mhiszem]

I don't have a WSM but that is a lot of mass so it would take more heat to maintain temperature. Thermometers definitely make it easier to control even if you just get a cheap oven thermometer. Thermoworks smoke is also great but more expensive.


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[EricD]

IMO, your mistake was the type of meats being cooked.   Ribs like low and slow, chicken does better hot and fast. 
Next time, try ribs and a Butt.  I try to put the meat that will take longest on the bottom and the shorter cooking one on top.
The WSM can handle a lot of food in it.  They just all have to cook about the same temp.
Good luck in future endeavors!!

[iCARRY]

Yup wrong meats together. Best option would have been hot and fast for everything. You need a thermometer for those chickens.


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[abett]

Agreed. I also couldn't have the chicken on top since I didn't want it dripping on the ribs.

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[Brain_STL]

I also learned the hard way that a thermometer is a must for poultry.  I have yet to cook chicken on my WSM as I usually off-set it on my 26'er or beer can it on the performer with the weber beer can attachment.

[SmokenJoe]

I can't believe that Lemans hasn't chimed-in here  ...  he'd probably say something like  ...  you need TWO smokey mountains

SJ

[abett]

The time before this I made just chicken and no water in the pan. Kept temp at about 300 and it was good.

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[Big Dawg]

I kind of agree.  Chicken/Ribs is just the wrong combination. 

The time before this I made just chicken and no water in the pan. Kept temp at about 300 and it was good.

Back when I was competing, I won a chicken wing contest doing exactly what you're describing.





BD

[cbpeck]

I agree with a lot of this advice, but have a few thoughts. The top rack typically runs a little hotter than the lower, so I would've put the ribs on the bottom and the yardbirds in a pan (maybe a round cake pan) up top. The pan would prevent poultry drippings from hitting the ribs and being on top would allow them to cook at a slightly higher temp than the ribs below. I would also put the ribs on 1-2 hours before adding the chickens because the birds will cook more quickly, and that way it's all done around the same time. I've been really happy with the chickens, turkeys, pork shoulders and ribs that I've cooked on the WSM, but the one thing I haven't been able to do well is a friggin' brisket. I should probably take another stab at it.

[abett]

Excellent ideas, but will the pan prevent the chickens from getting the wood smoke ?

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[iCARRY]

Excellent ideas, but will the pan prevent the chickens from getting the wood smoke ?

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They will get plenty of smoke. Chicken takes on smoke really easy.


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[cbpeck]

Excellent ideas, but will the pan prevent the chickens from getting the wood smoke ?

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iCARRY is correct. The heat & smoke fills the entire WSM, so as long as your chicken pan is smaller than the diameter of the WSM the heat and smoke will circulate properly and everything should turn out great! FWIW, I usually use the disposable rectangular aluminum pans, but any old pan will do.

[Lemans]

Oh BTW. You don't need two Smokey mountains..
But it helps.  Two different meats two different times
Can be done on one WSM but two is easier.. unless I use my Ranch
..SJ are you happy now.. lol