Boiling ribs

[aquablue22]

My father always par-boiled his ribs before he put them on the Weber kettle and smoked them, he said it got rid of the fat. A lot has changed since those days, I never got into the whole par-boiling thing.

Most chain restaurants that serve ribs par-boil to tenderize and de-fat. I always figured if you cooked them low and slow on the grill long enough the heat would take care of the fat on the ribs.

[Stevesonfire!]

Okay...okay, if you must. Please post a pic of the dearly departed ribs after the massacre..... :)

[Smokesman]

Originally Posted by Crazy Harry

Place your ribs on your prep table and whisper "boiling water", even this may be too long.

I did that and my freshly trimmed St. Louis's literally jumped back into their cryopack. Could swear I heard a faint whimper?

To funny CH!

[Smokesman]

Oh - and make sure you put some beer in your boiling water - I hear it gives the ribs a nice smoky flavor!

Sorry, couldn't resist.

[Smokesman]

Originally Posted by barbefunkoramaque

BEFORE THE ADVENT of armchair internet "know it alls" (including me) on the subject of bbq the process of simmering ribs in a flavorful broth, not water (thereby negating the whole "when you boil meat in liquid the flavor merely goes out of the meat and into the water" quote) many of our traditionalist created wonderful q by first boiling it in a flavorful broth. Some of the best loinbacks I have ever had anywhere was simmered in a broth of beer and apple cider and spices then smoked slow for a couple of hours as the broth the ribs simmered in got peppers and onions added then was reduced into and incredible base for a sauce. This was a low country recipe.

Two things I know boiling and simmering are minutely different (yet arguably the same as foiling) but I will not go off on some dumb assed discussion of how its even relevant here. There is such a taboo about it its stupid. Last, if you tasted these ribs you would say the same thing I did... when I ate them and saw the process. "Well Bill and Barb, I guess that is why boiling is illegal."

Here is one of the first good discussions (everyone was thoughtful on the subject) on the taboo of boiling meats -

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...=boiling+taboo

Sorry for the triple post. This thread is great!

Pop - the difference though is you are a wealth of knowledge and great advice. I have referenced you many a time and in practice your advice is spot on...now where is the "kiss a$$" emoticon?

Seriously Pop, thanks for the time you put into this forum!

Anyway, parboiling in a rich broth as you say would most certainly make for some very tasty ribs if time was an issue. Doing the same though in just water turns the pork into a grey flavorless mushy mess. There is a guy here in town that has his own place and parboils before going to the smoker...you bite into one of his ribs (which look great) and if ordered sans sauce they taste literally like water which I guess means they taste like nothing.

[Gore]

Originally Posted by barbefunkoramaque

BEFORE THE ADVENT of armchair internet "know it alls" (including me) on the subject of bbq the process of simmering ribs in a flavorful broth, not water (thereby negating the whole "when you boil meat in liquid the flavor merely goes out of the meat and into the water" quote) many of our traditionalist created wonderful q by first boiling it in a flavorful broth. Some of the best loinbacks I have ever had anywhere was simmered in a broth of beer and apple cider and spices then smoked slow for a couple of hours as the broth the ribs simmered in got peppers and onions added then was reduced into and incredible base for a sauce. This was a low country recipe.

Two things I know boiling and simmering are minutely different (yet arguably the same as foiling) but I will not go off on some dumb assed discussion of how its even relevant here. There is such a taboo about it its stupid. Last, if you tasted these ribs you would say the same thing I did... when I ate them and saw the process. "Well Bill and Barb, I guess that is why boiling is illegal."

Here is one of the first good discussions (everyone was thoughtful on the subject) on the taboo of boiling meats -

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...=boiling+taboo

I am in complete agreement. If you talk with old-timers about cooking ribs, this is what was done, and why not. It makes sense, especially when you're in a hurry to put a meal on the table. It's only recently that we really had the luxury of time to spend all day doing what we do. There are MANY recipes. Had them many times and I'm certainly not going to lie and tell my grandma that her ribs suck when obviously they don't. I can appreciate good food, whether it's BBQed or not. There are many recipes, the simplest is to boil for an hour and then throw it on the grill with some sauce. One typical in Spain (garlic ribs), is to boil riblets (cut ribs) with just enough water to cover them and boil dry, then add olive oil, crushed garlic and parsley. Thousands of variations. Haven't done them this way in years, but certainly wouldn't turn them down.

[kcchiefdav]

I've had some pretty good chinese spare ribs that were boiled (as per the waitress). So I, too, think that a person could make some very nice ribs by boiling first provided that the boiling liquid is delicious.

[Cast Iron Chef]

I par boiled my ribs for years. I am trying to purify my soul after joining this site and learn low and slow. My wife stills prefers by far my par boiled.

I boil the ribs for 20-25 minutes in onion, garlic, oregano and caraway seed. I get them just cooked. Finish on the grill for about 45 minutes even adding a chunk of wood for smoke. They do come out very moist and tasty.

Now I recently did some rib tips indirect, no boiling, at about 300 with some hickory and cherry and they came out very good.

[GeauxBigRed]

Originally Posted by LT72884

I like sizzlers ribs and i imagine theres is boiled. So how would you bbq spares or BB's on an offset then? Or rather indirectly like what i do on my UDS.

i was thinking only a 15 minute boil after the roast, not before. just gonna roast em naked. maybe some salt and pepper.

This one has me confused....

You want to boil them after the roast?

[1FUNVET]

Originally Posted by Smokesman

Oh - and make sure you put some beer in your boiling water - I hear it gives the ribs a nice smoky flavor!

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Sorry to disagree, but for a true smoky flavor ya gotta use liquid smoke. Beer is for drinkin'

[bam]

Originally Posted by LT72884

i wanna try it out. Just so i can see the difference between the two. Im going to boil then rotisserie the rest of the time.

How long do i boil them? thanx

Matt

After you boil the ribs save the water all the flavor will be in the water. I say don't do it.

[jestridge]

I say go for it and see if you like them.

[Skidder]

I don't boil but some of the best ribs I've made were grilled not smoked. It's a whole different taste.

[LT72884]

Originally Posted by GeauxBigRed

This one has me confused....

You want to boil them after the roast?

Well, Thats how my fav rib joint does em. I asked him and this is exactly what he said..

"after i roast them, i put them in a "steam chamber" and that makes them more tender and keeps them moist so they wont dry out."

I took the steam chamber to be some sort of device that almost boils them or adds water to em.

Maybe ill just boil for 20 min then roast..

Dont get me wrong, low and slow is cool and all but so far all my ribs come out tasting way bitter. Even if i dont use smoke, they come out tasting weird. So im gonna try something new and see how i like em.

thanx

Matt

[LT72884]

Originally Posted by Skidder

I don't boil but some of the best ribs I've made were grilled not smoked. It's a whole different taste.

Interesting. I need you to teach me. haha. I SUCK at low and slow for ribs.