What the Heck is 4.2?

SmokeInDaEye · 10-18-2009, 10:18 AM

I know I saw it once somewhere but what does "4.2 and down" mean on packages of untrimmed spare ribs? It's not a weight thing like shrimp (ie 20 count shrimp are 20 shrimp to the pound) but something about number of bones or bone length or the portion of the rib cage it comes from?

Sledneck · 10-18-2009, 10:21 AM

I thought it was 4.2 pounds and down per rack of ribs

mrwicks · 10-18-2009, 10:21 AM

think it means each rack of ribs in the pack weighs 4.2lbs or less..

SmokeInDaEye · 10-18-2009, 10:43 AM

Oh really? So do they sell 4.2 and up? And why the .2?

Pyle's BBQ · 10-18-2009, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokeInDaEye

Oh really? So do they sell 4.2 and up? And why the .2?

Really, you are talking about the gov't. They just make stuff up to confuse us.

Bbq Bubba · 10-18-2009, 11:09 AM

I'm guessing it read 4.5 meaning 4 1/2 lbs or less per rack. As far as i know, thats as big as they come.

Saiko · 10-18-2009, 11:24 AM

Only reference I could fine was in this thread:
http://www.texasbbqrub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27279

Sounds like what others are saying, each rack of ribs will weigh 4.2 lbs or less.

Ashmont · 10-18-2009, 12:09 PM

I have seen at one meat wholesaler say 4 and down 5 and down and

6 and down refers to the weight. Same here with beer! You have 3.2 beer which cant have more than 3.2% alcohol. Now here is the kicker 5% beer cant have any more than 5 % alcohol. So a beer that is 3.3% alcohol is sold as 5%. Go figure.

cdollar · 10-18-2009, 12:15 PM

It's the weight. 3.5 and down usually means BB's. 4.5 could be loin backs or spares. Anything bigger is usually spares. At least this is my understanding.

Chuck

82muchhomework · 10-18-2009, 12:24 PM

My understanding is that ribs under 3lbs are better tastin or more tender or something or other. I assume it has to do with the age of the pig. So packs of 3 downs are better ribs. Those must be called 4.2 downs.

bassbuster33 · 10-18-2009, 12:34 PM

Within one of the BBQ books that I have exists an explanation for this quandry. Now to figure out which book has the explanation

10-18-2009, 10:18 AM	#1
SmokeInDaEye Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-13-06 Location: Memphis, TN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	What the Heck is 4.2? I know I saw it once somewhere but what does "4.2 and down" mean on packages of untrimmed spare ribs? It's not a weight thing like shrimp (ie 20 count shrimp are 20 shrimp to the pound) but something about number of bones or bone length or the portion of the rib cage it comes from? __________________ [URL="http://www.bbq-brethren.com"]http://www.SmokeInDaEye.com[/URL] Gen II Komodo Kamado, Pit Barrel Cooker, 3x 18.5" WSMs, 22.5" WSM, modified 18.5" Weber Kettle, 22.5" Weber Kettle circa 1960ish, Weber One Touch Platinum, copper Weber Smokey Joe, La Caja China, Bubba Keg, Bodom Picnic Grill, Weber Genesis

10-18-2009, 10:21 AM	#2
Sledneck is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 12-04-05 Location: Wantagh, NY Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I thought it was 4.2 pounds and down per rack of ribs __________________ BBQ Illuminati Blog Disclaimer: The poster does not take any responsibility for any bad feelings or sense of exclusion that the reader of this post may have-whether real or imagined. Reading threads poses inherent risks. The poster of this thread would like to also remind readers to make sure they have a functional sense of humor before they visit any discussion board.

10-18-2009, 10:21 AM	#3
mrwicks Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 05-15-09 Location: Chicago IL South Side Go Cubs!!! Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	think it means each rack of ribs in the pack weighs 4.2lbs or less.. __________________ Some WSMs,some OTG 22's,some OTG 18's, 1 26.75 OTG, 1 UDS Type...and a Smokey Joe

10-18-2009, 10:43 AM	#4
SmokeInDaEye Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-13-06 Location: Memphis, TN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Oh really? So do they sell 4.2 and up? And why the .2? __________________ [URL="http://www.bbq-brethren.com"]http://www.SmokeInDaEye.com[/URL] Gen II Komodo Kamado, Pit Barrel Cooker, 3x 18.5" WSMs, 22.5" WSM, modified 18.5" Weber Kettle, 22.5" Weber Kettle circa 1960ish, Weber One Touch Platinum, copper Weber Smokey Joe, La Caja China, Bubba Keg, Bodom Picnic Grill, Weber Genesis

10-18-2009, 11:09 AM	#6
Bbq Bubba somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-03-07 Location: New Baltimore, Mi. Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I'm guessing it read 4.5 meaning 4 1/2 lbs or less per rack. As far as i know, thats as big as they come. __________________ Pitmaster @ Lockharts BBQ Beer Snob I cook the best brisket north of Dallas. Get over it. Northern midwest director for OBR www.operationbbqrelief.com

10-18-2009, 11:24 AM	#7
Saiko is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 12-24-03 Location: Kennesaw, GA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Only reference I could fine was in this thread: http://www.texasbbqrub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27279 Sounds like what others are saying, each rack of ribs will weigh 4.2 lbs or less. __________________ Shelter me from the powder and the finger Cover me with the thought that pulled the trigger Think of me as one you'd never figured Would fade away so young With so much left undone For links to all my BBQ Brethren recipe posts, click http://markandteri.com/recipes.htm

10-18-2009, 12:09 PM	#8
Ashmont Babbling Farker Join Date: 12-13-05 Location: St. Louis MO Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I have seen at one meat wholesaler say 4 and down 5 and down and 6 and down refers to the weight. Same here with beer! You have 3.2 beer which cant have more than 3.2% alcohol. Now here is the kicker 5% beer cant have any more than 5 % alcohol. So a beer that is 3.3% alcohol is sold as 5%. Go figure. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ashmont Proud member of Brethren Weber's for life (Rescued 7 kettles in 2007, 1 in 2008, 2 in 2009 and 1 in 2010 Three of which I have and 8 that have gone to Brethren. PM me to get on the waiting list) Weber Kettle Dabomb Weber Kettle Justintime Weber Kettle (Yet to be named by Daughter) Evil Twin Suggested! Weber Kettle Grace WSM "Winni" WSM "Dumas" One Smokey Joe UDS "Peggy Sue" http://ashsmoderndayclubhouse.blogspot.com/

10-18-2009, 12:15 PM	#9
cdollar Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-03-09 Location: Deep in the East TX Piney Woods Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	It's the weight. 3.5 and down usually means BB's. 4.5 could be loin backs or spares. Anything bigger is usually spares. At least this is my understanding. Chuck

10-18-2009, 12:24 PM	#10
82muchhomework Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 08-03-09 Location: Highland, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	My understanding is that ribs under 3lbs are better tastin or more tender or something or other. I assume it has to do with the age of the pig. So packs of 3 downs are better ribs. Those must be called 4.2 downs.

10-18-2009, 12:34 PM	#11
bassbuster33 On the road to being a farker Join Date: 02-27-09 Location: Portland, OR Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Within one of the BBQ books that I have exists an explanation for this quandry. Now to figure out which book has the explanation

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