Baby Back Ribs - Couple of Questions

Riskyguy · 09-30-2011, 02:55 PM

Going to try ribs for the first time using Chris Lilly's recipe that was highlighted last week. But first:

1. I have a Weber Performer and an 18" WSM smoker. Which would be best to do the ribs on?

2. I saw in the thread about Chris's ribs that there is a bone bending test to check for doneness. Can someone explain how to do the test?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Ron_L · 09-30-2011, 02:59 PM

WSM. It's better for longer cooks. You can use the Kettle but why bother when smoking is what the WSM is designed for.

It's not a bone bending test. It's referred to as the bend test. Pick up one end of the rack with tongs or your hands with proper protection from the heat and when the ribs are done the other end of the rack will hang down limply and the bark will start to break. You can also us a toothpick between the bones. Stick it into the meat and it if goes in with little resistance then the ribs are done.

Wampus · 09-30-2011, 03:33 PM

Roastin Ronnie is ON IT! What HE said!

(not that I'm suprised by that.........

)

I've also heard of and used the "bone pull" test. That's where if you grab the end of two bones and pull apart, when they try and pull away cleanly from the meat, they're done. Personally, I use the "bend test".

NorthwestBBQ · 09-30-2011, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron_L

It's referred to as the bend test. Pick up one end of the rack with tongs or your hands with proper protection from the heat and when the ribs are done the other end of the rack will hang down limply and the bark will start to break.

Ron_L · 09-30-2011, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthwestBBQ

Perfect! I knew someone would have a picture. i should have known it was you

Jaskew82 · 09-30-2011, 03:59 PM

I use the bend test myself but some people also use the tooth pick test. Prick with a tooth pick and if it slides through the meat like butter, you are all set.

Chef Jim · 09-30-2011, 04:58 PM

Performer will work very well if smokin a small qty. But the WSM is my first choice.

Mitch · 09-30-2011, 05:48 PM

Use the one you are comfortable with.

09-30-2011, 02:55 PM	#1
Riskyguy On the road to being a farker Join Date: 07-16-11 Location: Fort Collins, CO	Baby Back Ribs - Couple of Questions Going to try ribs for the first time using Chris Lilly's recipe that was highlighted last week. But first: 1. I have a Weber Performer and an 18" WSM smoker. Which would be best to do the ribs on? 2. I saw in the thread about Chris's ribs that there is a bone bending test to check for doneness. Can someone explain how to do the test? Thanks in advance for your help!

09-30-2011, 02:59 PM	#2
Ron_L Moderator Join Date: 12-09-04 Location: Wandering, but not lost Name/Nickname : Captain Ron	WSM. It's better for longer cooks. You can use the Kettle but why bother when smoking is what the WSM is designed for. It's not a bone bending test. It's referred to as the bend test. Pick up one end of the rack with tongs or your hands with proper protection from the heat and when the ribs are done the other end of the rack will hang down limply and the bark will start to break. You can also us a toothpick between the bones. Stick it into the meat and it if goes in with little resistance then the ribs are done. __________________ "Ron Rico, Boss. You can call me Captain Ron..." Naked Fatties Rock! PKGo X 2/PK360/Weber Q1000/Blackstone Camping Griddle/Pit Boss Pro Series 850

09-30-2011, 03:33 PM	#3
Wampus somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 06-05-09 Location: Mooresville, IN	Roastin Ronnie is ON IT! What HE said! (not that I'm suprised by that.........) I've also heard of and used the "bone pull" test. That's where if you grab the end of two bones and pull apart, when they try and pull away cleanly from the meat, they're done. Personally, I use the "bend test". __________________ [COLOR="Blue"][B]"Oh, I don’t reject Christ. I love Christ. It’s just that so many of you Christians are so unlike Christ." -Mahatma Gandhi[/B][/COLOR]

09-30-2011, 03:59 PM	#6
Jaskew82 is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-20-11 Location: Mooresville, NC	I use the bend test myself but some people also use the tooth pick test. Prick with a tooth pick and if it slides through the meat like butter, you are all set. __________________ Hillside BBQ 2013 Stumps Classic - Delivered 4/15/13 Large BGE - Rescued 2012 2010 WSM 22.5" 2010 Weber genesis gas grill Rescued 22.5 Weber One-touch gold Yellow Thermopen BBQ Guru CyberQ 2011 Built UDS - Retired

09-30-2011, 04:58 PM	#7
Chef Jim Babbling Farker Join Date: 02-07-10 Location: Tequesta, Florida	Performer will work very well if smokin a small qty. But the WSM is my first choice. __________________ Judge Jim, Given to me by Terry @ Git R Smoked. Chef Jim, Gym, Jim, or CJ. [B][COLOR=Black] I'm not a Chef, but I play one on the internet.[/COLOR][/B] [URL]http://www.chef-jim.com[/URL] [FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=3][FONT=Tahoma]A veteran is Someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life." That is honor, and there are far too many people in this country who no longer understand it. Author unknown.[/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [COLOR=Red][COLOR=Black] [/COLOR][/COLOR]

09-30-2011, 05:48 PM	#8
Mitch is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 10-22-07 Location: Lincoln NE	Use the one you are comfortable with. __________________ Gator Pit Entertainer Stumps GF223 Lg. BGE

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