Baby Back Ribs - Step-by-Step, with How to Time Your Cook

[Smokin3d]

I wasn't meaning to pick up and all fall apart but a clean bone.
As some times I get and some times I don't.
Last week I did 3 BBR for my first smoke on new 3D and they came
Out great!!!!!! And every buddy but 2 said they were great.
(Those 2 are gonna have to find a new place to eat! Lol)
As for the new 3D wow do I love it! It's a piece of art.
and my mes30 I will still use for shorter time smokes.
I will from now on use the term clean bone.
Thanks!

 

[SmokinSusie-Q]

I like mine to be chewy, but yet leave a clean bone. For me they are overdone if I pick up the rack and the ribs fall apart. If you truly want fall off the bone, you may have to use the dreaded foil.

+1. When I cut my ribs apart, I don't want the bones to just "fall out". I agree that is overdone. The meat needs to stay attached to the bone, until I bite it off. I do like the meat pretty tender though.

Couldn't agree more, the racks are supposed to hold together. Have participated in rib cook-offs many times, and if the rack falls apart when you grab it with your pinchers, you are disqualified. Does that mean that those ribs don't taste good? Of course it doesn't, it just means that you've overcooked them. It's easy to do. When I'm cooking for my friends and family at home, I'd always rather my ribs be perfect, but I'd rather have them a bit overdone than underdone. It's a pork thing with me, never undercook it.

Jack, I'm interested in your smoking resume!  Share some of your experience. Also what  is your rotisserie smoker and how does it compare to your 3D?

 

[NDKoze]

Use your MB for side dishes. I still use my other smokers for side dishes occasionally while the #3 smokes the main course.

 

[JackT]

I like mine to be chewy, but yet leave a clean bone. For me they are overdone if I pick up the rack and the ribs fall apart. If you truly want fall off the bone, you may have to use the dreaded foil.

+1. When I cut my ribs apart, I don't want the bones to just "fall out". I agree that is overdone. The meat needs to stay attached to the bone, until I bite it off. I do like the meat pretty tender though.

Couldn't agree more, the racks are supposed to hold together. Have participated in rib cook-offs many times, and if the rack falls apart when you grab it with your pinchers, you are disqualified. Does that mean that those ribs don't taste good? Of course it doesn't, it just means that you've overcooked them. It's easy to do. When I'm cooking for my friends and family at home, I'd always rather my ribs be perfect, but I'd rather have them a bit overdone than underdone. It's a pork thing with me, never undercook it.

Jack, I'm interested in your smoking resume!  Share some of your experience. Also what  is your rotisserie smoker and how does it compare to your 3D?

Sue, my smoking resume is probably exceeded only by my grilling and beer drinking resume. Since I was a kid, my Dad used me as his apprentice for his BBQ's and it just stuck. Hell of a nice hobby to get introduced to when you're a kid. As for my "rotisserie cooker", it's a custom-made trailer that was designed  with the gears from a John Deere hayraker and built into a Butler mfg. fuel tank. It's got both a firebox and a thermostatically driven propane blower to fire up the wood. You don't really use the propane to cook, but it's nice to get your wood up and going. Don't use it as often as I'd like, but wouldn't get rid of it for the times that I do. Now you got me thinking about pulling it out of the pole barn and getting it cleaned up for spring. The 65 degrees outside helps that out too! Thanks for asking and Happy Smoking!

 

[SmokinSusie-Q]

I like mine to be chewy, but yet leave a clean bone. For me they are overdone if I pick up the rack and the ribs fall apart. If you truly want fall off the bone, you may have to use the dreaded foil.

+1. When I cut my ribs apart, I don't want the bones to just "fall out". I agree that is overdone. The meat needs to stay attached to the bone, until I bite it off. I do like the meat pretty tender though.

Couldn't agree more, the racks are supposed to hold together. Have participated in rib cook-offs many times, and if the rack falls apart when you grab it with your pinchers, you are disqualified. Does that mean that those ribs don't taste good? Of course it doesn't, it just means that you've overcooked them. It's easy to do. When I'm cooking for my friends and family at home, I'd always rather my ribs be perfect, but I'd rather have them a bit overdone than underdone. It's a pork thing with me, never undercook it.

Jack, I'm interested in your smoking resume!  Share some of your experience. Also what  is your rotisserie smoker and how does it compare to your 3D?

Sue, my smoking resume is probably exceeded only by my grilling and beer drinking resume. Since I was a kid, my Dad used me as his apprentice for his BBQ's and it just stuck. Hell of a nice hobby to get introduced to when you're a kid. As for my "rotisserie cooker", it's a custom-made trailer that was designed  with the gears from a John Deere hayraker and built into a Butler mfg. fuel tank. It's got both a firebox and a thermostatically driven propane blower to fire up the wood. You don't really use the propane to cook, but it's nice to get your wood up and going. Don't use it as often as I'd like, but wouldn't get rid of it for the times that I do. Now you got me thinking about pulling it out of the pole barn and getting it cleaned up for spring. The 65 degrees outside helps that out too! Thanks for asking and Happy Smoking!

Next time you use your rotisserie cooker, please post the entire process.  I saw an episode of "Project Smoke" on tv recently, and a rotisserie smoker was used to smoke a rather large piece of meat.  I can't recall what it was. 

 

[kz0m]

Ok SmokinSusie-Q and the gang, an update on latest smoked ribs.
Last time...as you recall...the ribs were over cooked using the method in these posts.  Fast forward to Costco's ribs, ahhh, much better, where's the meat? it's on Costco's ribs that's where.  Last time I used Sam's Club ribs, a lot less meat on those boys!  No wonder they over cooked at 235 for 4 hours.  This time, 6 slabs of Costco bad boys at 225 for 2.5 hours, pulled, foiled with KC Masterpiece all over them and cooked another 2.5 hours, WOW,what a huge difference!!  The meat makes the difference!  No more Sam's ribs for us!
I used 2oz of sugar maple and 1oz hickory..Smokinlicious wood..brined for 18 hours, helps with moisture retention!  Used famous dave's rub lightly and wrapped with plastic wrap in the frig overnight.  awesome results.  If you have a D model, the meat should be 2" or more away. from the probe and if foiled meat, same thing, keeps the temp from going crazy..just an update, the kids took most of the ribs and pulled pork home with them, I guess they liked it ;-))

 

[DivotMaker]

Guess it helps to live within spittin' distance of Sam's HQ, Carl!  The ribs I get here are the meatiest I've ever had!  Cool you have a Costco - that'll never happen in my neighborhood! (WalMart/Sam's won't let it)

 

[NDKoze]

I'm fortunate to have both Costco and Sam's and they both have high quality ribs that are no better than the other.

For me, I have found that I get better results smoking my ribs at 225 verses the 235 that so many people here use.

The only thing I prefer Sam's for is their Boston Butts since Costco only has boneless butts. Otherwise they both have very good meat departments.

 

[es1025]

For removing the membrane, use a butter knife, slow and steady will get the job done in one shot.

My babies take about 4 3/4 to 5 hours @ 235. I also let rest for an hour.  I have gone as long as 3 hours and they were still great.

 

[SmokinSusie-Q]

Ok SmokinSusie-Q and the gang, an update on latest smoked ribs.
Last time...as you recall...the ribs were over cooked using the method in these posts.  Fast forward to Costco's ribs, ahhh, much better, where's the meat? it's on Costco's ribs that's where.  Last time I used Sam's Club ribs, a lot less meat on those boys!  No wonder they over cooked at 235 for 4 hours.  This time, 6 slabs of Costco bad boys at 225 for 2.5 hours, pulled, foiled with KC Masterpiece all over them and cooked another 2.5 hours, WOW,what a huge difference!!  The meat makes the difference!  No more Sam's ribs for us!
I used 2oz of sugar maple and 1oz hickory..Smokinlicious wood..brined for 18 hours, helps with moisture retention!  Used famous dave's rub lightly and wrapped with plastic wrap in the frig overnight.  awesome results.  If you have a D model, the meat should be 2" or more away. from the probe and if foiled meat, same thing, keeps the temp from going crazy..just an update, the kids took most of the ribs and pulled pork home with them, I guess they liked it ;-))

Carl, sorry I'm late in ready your message. Our computer has been down for 2 weeks! 

Reading your info, which is very helpful, and those that followed yours, it just seems there are so many differing opinions on smoking ribs.  Maybe that's because ribs are one of the few things that can't be probed.  I will try Costco as soon as I get a chance to visit the one nearest me.  I do think the spare ribs I've bought locally have not been very meaty.

 

[Smokin3d]

Gonna do a 4 hour no peak at 225!
Theses baby backs are meaty. I'm gonna use apple wood for the first time.
As for the seasoning it's in the picture.
Any suggestions let me no there going in the smoker now ( noon )

 

[swthorpe]

At 4 hours, I doubt they will be anywhere close to done.  I would suggest increasing the temp to 235, and after 4.5 hours, take a look.  When I do BB ribs, they usually run about 5 to 5.5 hours.

 

[AlinMA]

+1 on Steve's comment.
When I do BB ribs I go 4.5 hours at 235 Then pull them, sauce/wrap in foil then back in for .5 hours.

 

[Smokin3d]

Well it's been on now for 3 hours at 225. Looking to to eat at 5:30.
Should I turn it up then or keep it at 225 for 5 1/2 hours?
Thanks

 

[swthorpe]

I am late getting back here, but I would turn up the temp to 240.

 

[Smokin3d]

Well total cook time was 5 1/2 hours at 225 but the last 45 mins I turned up to 235 cause of getting nervous from the responses.
At 4 hours 45 mins I did the tooth pick test and they seemed done then but decided just to go another 45 mins at 235. The ribs came out perfect! A nice clean bone.
Next time I'm gonna try 235 @ 4 1/2 hours
Thanks

 

[DivotMaker]

I always use 235 for ribs, John.  Helps with the bark & time, and has no effect on moistness.

 

[tomhitt]

Enjoyed the step-by-step process, I can smell those ribs already!  Fun read, I'm planning to purchase a model #1 soon, this will probably be my first meal in the smoker.  Yay- thanks!  ~Tom~

 

[ddixon81]

Thanks for all the tips guys, smoked a porketta last weekend that turned out great! Ribs are going on Sunday am for some football! Cannot wait!!

 

[DivotMaker]

Great to have you with us, Tom & Yooper! Smoke on! 8)