Hang Meat Or Use Grill Grate ?

[ChrisD46]

If space is no problem  - do you prefer to use the grill grate to lay meat down flat or do you prefer to hang meat ? I want to do a couple of chickens cut in half which will fit fine on the grill grate . Any advantage in taste or cooking time between hanging meat vs. laying meat  flat on the grill grate ?  Again , if space is not a problem - do you have a preferance ?

[hikerman]

Hang the meat whenever possible. It just seems to work better that way. Sometimes you need to use the grate so your meat doesn't fall to the coals from being done/tender. It's nice to have the option if needed!

[Kona]

a chicken I hung just after I got my PBC

[Chief Mac]

I vote... hang the meat.   
Chief Mac

[smokeasaurus]

Both ways sit in the "sweet spot"...however if using the grate you will have to turn the meat during the cook and you really lose capacity quick...........

[jjjonz]

I really like to hang, because it's easier to clean the hooks than the grill. Either way the food turnout great !!!

[muebe]

Hang whenever possible...

[akruckus]

Both ways sit in the "sweet spot"...however if using the grate you will have to turn the meat during the cook and you really lose capacity quick...........

I will second that space issue.

I have experimented with low and slow with chicken while doing my ribs in the barrel using their hinge grate.  Initial plan was to do 2 chicken halves and rib tips, but only the chicken fit on the hinge rack.  Not much room for anything else with the ribs there. If using the full grate you could maybe get one more half in there.  I would always hang, even with trying low and slow with foil around some upper holes.

[jjjonz]

Both ways sit in the "sweet spot"...however if using the grate you will have to turn the meat during the cook and you really lose capacity quick...........

I will second that space issue.

I have experimented with low and slow with chicken while doing my ribs in the barrel using their hinge grate.  Initial plan was to do 2 chicken halves and rib tips, but only the chicken fit on the hinge rack.  Not much room for anything else with the ribs there. If using the full grate you could maybe get one more half in there.  I would always hang, even with trying low and slow with foil around some upper holes.

Do you think you could have hung the chicken beside the ribs and put the riblets on the grate ?

[akruckus]

Both ways sit in the "sweet spot"...however if using the grate you will have to turn the meat during the cook and you really lose capacity quick...........

I will second that space issue.

I have experimented with low and slow with chicken while doing my ribs in the barrel using their hinge grate.  Initial plan was to do 2 chicken halves and rib tips, but only the chicken fit on the hinge rack.  Not much room for anything else with the ribs there. If using the full grate you could maybe get one more half in there.  I would always hang, even with trying low and slow with foil around some upper holes.

Do you think you could have hung the chicken beside the ribs and put the riblets on the grate ?

I did not really think of that.  I do know it was a cold January day and I didn't really want to spend too much time outside.  I am going to give this a whirl again in a couple weeks.  Time has been lacking a lot recently.