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How do yall smoke your ribs?

Posted on 9/19/14 at 2:52 pm
Posted by Damn Good Dawg
Member since Feb 2011
47325 posts
Posted on 9/19/14 at 2:52 pm
So I once again have the yearning to harness my inner Randy Marsh and want to get the smoker going. 2 weekends ago I smoked 2 10 lb butts and it went well. Wasn't my best work because I got drunk and let the grill get way too hot and I never got it to cool back down. I gave myself a C- but luckily my friends don't know shite about it so they loved it.

This weekend I was debating smoking a brisket but not sure I wanna drop the cash. So I was considering smoking some ribs. I've never smoked ribs. Hell, I've never cooked them any way. So, experts, how do you do your ribs?
Posted by Neauxla
New Orleans
Member since Feb 2008
33449 posts
Posted on 9/19/14 at 2:57 pm to
peel silver film
rub w/ rub
smoke @ 225 until meat begins to peel back slightly
wrap in foil with a spritz of cider vingear
cook another 30-60 min
check tenderness
toss in empty cooler until ready to eat
Posted by Uncle JackD
Member since Nov 2007
58667 posts
Posted on 9/19/14 at 3:00 pm to
Byrons butt rub
Dome temp 250-275
Cook till they pass the bend test
Posted by surprisewitness
Littleton, CO
Member since Apr 2013
560 posts
Posted on 9/19/14 at 3:00 pm to
Look up the rib 3-2-1 method
Posted by NOFOX
New Orleans
Member since Jan 2014
9956 posts
Posted on 9/19/14 at 4:38 pm to
Car Wash Mike Ribs

I started off following this.
Posted by AlwysATgr
Member since Apr 2008
16529 posts
Posted on 9/19/14 at 6:27 pm to
What kind of smoker are you using?

- Remove the membrane
- Light coat of olive oil to get the rub to stick
- Apply rub (can wait for about 1/2 hour to let the rub soak in)

I use Sweet Rub O' Mine supplemented with brown sugar for a rub.

Time will vary with type of rib and temp (I shoot for 225+/- 10 degF).

Spare: 3-2-1
St.Louis: 3-1.5-0.5
Baby back: 2.5-1.5-0.5

First number: hours bare
Second number: hours (spritz first with apple juice and) wrapped in tin foil
last number: hours bare

I prefer pecan but fruit woods are good with pork as well.

ETA: meant to ask "smoker" not "smoke."

This post was edited on 9/19/14 at 10:00 pm
Posted by jeepfreak
Back in the BR
Member since Oct 2003
19433 posts
Posted on 9/19/14 at 11:27 pm to
1-1/2 to 2 hours of smoke at 225. Remove and wrap in foil packet with Tiger sauce and lemon slices for another 2 hours at 300. Let them rest for 20-30 minutes.
Posted by Twenty 49
Shreveport
Member since Jun 2014
18820 posts
Posted on 9/20/14 at 11:15 am to
I cook at about 250 and use approximately the 3-2-1 method if folks are coming over who want them "falling apart" tender. Many do.

If it is just us, I'll cook for less time in the foil (or not foil at all) and leave more tooth in them.

I like a combo of hickory and cherry wood for smoke. Apple is good too. I don't bother to spritz or mop.

****

Here is a compilation of methods advocated by experts.

Meathead at Amazing Ribs says 225 (in his babyback recipe): "It's a magic temp that creates silky texture, adds moisture, and keeps the meat tender. If you can't hit 225°F, get as close as you can. Don't go under 200°F and try not to go over 250°F." As for foiling: "Almost all competition cooks use the crutch to get an edge. But the improvement is really minimal and I never bother for backyard cooking." And: "On the rare occasion that I crutch ribs, I crutch for only 30 minutes. Push ribs much beyond 30 minutes and you risk overcooking the meat and turning it mushy."

Harry Soo says 275: "275 degrees renders the fat better and faster. Faster is good so the rib does not dry out. Also, bark forms better at 275 degrees on ribs." Harry also spritzes every 15 minutes after the bark forms a couple hours in. After 2 hours, he foils for 1.5 hours.

Aaron Franklin says 275 in his video series. He sauces and spritzes after a couple hours. Then he foils with spritz and sauce for a couple more hours. Unwrap to test for readiness. When done, rest 20 or 30 minutes loosely wrapped in the foil.

Myron Mixon's book: 275 and spritz (apple juice, vinegar, imitation butter) every 15 minutes after the first 45 minutes of cooking. He says to start the ribs in a foil pan and then, after 3 hours, foil with apple juice for 2 hours. He then kills the fire, sauces, refoils, and lets rest one hour inside the cooling smoker.

Chris Lilly's Big Bob Gibson book: 250 for about 4 hours. Sauce and return to 250 for 20 minutes.

Gary Wiviott's Low and Slow: He keeps it simple for beginners by not giving temps, just vent settings. Spritz with tart wash (cranberry juice, olive oil, rub) 4 hours in. Check for readiness at 4.5 hours. Spritz and repeat every 30 minutes if they need to keep cooking. No foil involved.

Smoke & Spice: Has several rib recipes that call for smoking at 200 to 220. They say mopping/basting on a water smoker is not necessary, but they do it for flavor every hour or two, or if lid is off for another reason. See page 49, "To Mop or Not".
Posted by secondandshort
Member since Jan 2014
1028 posts
Posted on 6/19/15 at 10:08 pm to
I'm smoking some ribs for fathers day. I am one of the people who like them falling off the bone so I use the 2x2x1 with the third and fourth hour I use the cheat method with aluminum foil and apple juice. Does anyone use anything other than apple juice? I had heard of someone using Dr. Pepper? Not sure if that sounds very good. I've had alot of success with my method but always looking to improve or tweak the recipe.
Posted by LNCHBOX
70448
Member since Jun 2009
84304 posts
Posted on 6/19/15 at 10:18 pm to
Peel membrane, rub, hang in Pit Barrel Cooker for about 2 and a half to 3 hours. Pull them out, then enjoy.
This post was edited on 6/20/15 at 12:53 pm
Posted by CoachChappy
Member since May 2013
32594 posts
Posted on 6/20/15 at 9:12 am to
I am prepared to take my down votes, but I double wrap in foil and in the convection oven for 3 hrs at 225 with rub on. Then, off the heat on grill/smoker (it's a huge pit) saucing every 15 for 1 hour. I like my ribs to be peeled off the bone. The competition guys want you to have to pull with your teeth to get it off. I just prefer it to fall off.
This post was edited on 6/20/15 at 9:13 am
Posted by EWE TIGER
Houma
Member since Sep 2009
924 posts
Posted on 6/20/15 at 3:48 pm to
Dry rub, no sauce, no foil. Usually hickory or apple. 4-5 hours at 250 for st Louis. I like the meat to pull off the bone. If I don't nail it, I'd rather a little meat stay on the bone as opposed to falling off.
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