Bad Ribs or Kingsford's Comp. Charcoal Sucks???

Burk504 · Sep 12, 2009

Has anyone ever cooked ribs just as you normally would, everything seemed fine and looked good but when you tasted them they were just awful? Happened to me today and I can't figure it out.

It doesn't seem that they were 'bacteria bad', because my son ate half a rack (he was so hungry he could eat dirt) and he isn't sick at all. Is it possible to just get a bad rack?

The only thing new in the entire process was I used Kingsford's new 'Competition' Charcoal for the first time. I have never used it before but bought it because they were out of lump at the grocery. Could that possibly put a bad taste in the meat?

landarc · Sep 12, 2009

Yes I have, and I have decided it could be either thing. I have most certainly purchased meat in cryo and found it was bad, got that yuck funk smell. I also bought a bag of charcoal this year that made ribs, pork shoulder, even steak taste bad. It is now in the compost pile.

capri man · Sep 12, 2009

i would not think so!!

BBQ Grail · Sep 12, 2009

Probably not! Sometimes you just get bad meat.

Earlier this week I bought some nice looking ribeyes. At least I thought they were. Cooked them just like I normally did and they just didn't taste right.

It happens. Were the ribs "enhanced?"

BBQ Grail · Sep 12, 2009

Introducing yourself with a post in "Cattle Call" probably would have stopped that from happening. :wink:

MountainMan · Sep 12, 2009

It happens. Were the ribs "enhanced?"

That's what I'd have to ask as well!

Burk504 · Sep 12, 2009

BBQ Grail said:
Were the ribs "enhanced?"

The ribs were opened from cryopac last night, rubbed with a basic rub and stored in the fridge in a covered aluminum pan. No marinade or injections involved at all.

Thanks for the quick replies. BTW, I did just add a post to the Cattle Call as well...I hate it when I make newbie mistakes :-(

BBQ Grail · Sep 12, 2009

Do you still have the cryo? Does it have a label? Can you post of picture of it?

Burk504 · Sep 12, 2009

BBQ Grail said:
Do you still have the cryo? Does it have a label? Can you post of picture of it?

I don't have the label anymore but I know the sell-by date was today. Anything else on the label thats valuable to pay attention to?

My wife is a real freak about the date on meats and is convinced we are all going to get sick tonight because I shouldn't have cut it so close. It smelled fine and in my mind if it ain't old and it don't stink....its good. Am I wrong?

BBQ Grail · Sep 12, 2009

Burk504 said:
I don't have the label anymore but I know the sell-by date was today. Anything else on the label thats valuable to pay attention to?

My wife is a real freak about the date on meats and is convinced we are all going to get sick tonight because I shouldn't have cut it so close. It smelled fine and in my mind if it ain't old and it don't stink....its good. Am I wrong?

Did it say "enhanced" anywhere on the label? Did you buy them at Walmart?

Smell test is the best test for "bad" meat. So that's not likely the issue.

Burk504 · Sep 12, 2009

BBQ Grail said:
Did it say "enhanced" anywhere on the label? Did you buy them at Walmart?

Ahhh...I thought 'enhanced' was a mystery bbq prep technique :-(.

I bought the ribs at Costco and have never had an issue with them before. Not sure if it said 'enhanced' or not. I take it that I should stay away from that?

Bushwacker · Sep 13, 2009

I read somewhere on here in a different thread, about someone using Kingsford Comp coal, that it gave there food the taste of Match lite and also smelled of lighter fluid. maybe a month ago.. Can't remember,, I'm Brain damaged, well a little anyway

Hugh Jorgan · Sep 13, 2009

I'm sorry about your ribs. I don't really have an opinion as to what made them turn out less than expected, to many variables. I just wanted to add....
IMHO, Kingsford Comp Chucks!!!

Tweedle · Sep 13, 2009

Hugh Jorgan said:
.... I just wanted to add....
IMHO, Kingsford Comp Chucks!!!

+1
Coulda been the ribs it happened to me last week but my guess is the kingsford comp I have onlky used 1 bag it burns hotter than normal and it had a funky smell. My bag any way.....

tjus77 · Sep 13, 2009

if they didn't smell and weren't slimy, I would blame it on the Kingsford comp.

wickedbbq'r · Sep 13, 2009

I have been useing comp. charcoal for 4 months now without a problem. No funny taste or smell. I would say it was the meat.

smokinajs · Sep 13, 2009

I have used KC a lot and moreso with Ribs and they have cooked great... I stopped using enhanced ribs all together... Only the fresh stuff for me..

LMAJ · Sep 13, 2009

Same thing happened to me last week. Same rub, same technique, same lump/wood combo - the ribs just tasted flat - I'm chalking it up to the meat.

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=68326

Bob S · Sep 13, 2009

I've used the K-Comp many times with no problems at all.
I didn't see any info on your cooking equipment or technique. An airflow problem could be to blame. The difference between a hot clean-burning fire and a choked off dirty fire will make a world of difference.

SirPorkaLot · Sep 13, 2009

I quit buying "enhanced" ribs too.
I found the majority of the cryovac packages are enhanced (look for the small print on the package). It is a saline (SALT) solution 12-15%, so it is basically brining & curing your ribs - spell that H A M

They do this to preserve the ribs for shipping/storage, and so this what you will find at your most of your national markets (Costco, Walmart, etc..)

Bad Ribs or Kingsford's Comp. Charcoal Sucks???

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