Smoking Ribs

gunzilla · 03-23-2007, 03:03 PM

I have found that the longer my ribs stay in the smoker, the less tender they are. Tomorrow I will do two racks with exactly the same rub. They are already wrappen in the fridge. I will hit them with smoke hard for 15 minutes and double wrap them in foil. Next one will go in the oven for 3 hours at 200 and the other one i will keep wrapped in the smoker for 3 hours.

All comments are welcome. I am trying to figure out if the ribs that fall off the bone are because of...

consistent low temp (200 in the oven)
or
not being smoked for too long

Bring it...

VGuilford · 03-23-2007, 03:08 PM

This is what I do. Works for me. I smoke them for 2 hrs around 225-250. Pull and wrap in foil for about 2 more hrs. in the smoker at the same temp. Course I apply rub and everything else b4 hand

Bigmista · 03-23-2007, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunzilla

I have found that the longer my ribs stay in the smoker, the less tender they are. Tomorrow I will do two racks with exactly the same rub. They are already wrappen in the fridge. I will hit them with smoke hard for 15 minutes and double wrap them in foil. Next one will go in the oven for 3 hours at 200 and the other one i will keep wrapped in the smoker for 3 hours.

All comments are welcome. I am trying to figure out if the ribs that fall off the bone are because of...

consistent low temp (200 in the oven)
or
not being smoked for too long

Bring it...

That is unusual. Usually the longer you smoke them, the mushier they get. Unless they are burnt, I could see how those would be tough.

G$ · 03-23-2007, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunzilla

I have found that the longer my ribs stay in the smoker, the less tender they are. Tomorrow I will do two racks with exactly the same rub. They are already wrappen in the fridge. I will hit them with smoke hard for 15 minutes and double wrap them in foil. Next one will go in the oven for 3 hours at 200 and the other one i will keep wrapped in the smoker for 3 hours.

All comments are welcome. I am trying to figure out if the ribs that fall off the bone are because of...

consistent low temp (200 in the oven)
or
not being smoked for too long

Bring it...

Admittedly, I am an idiot. But I don't get it.

In both your tests, you are wrapping the ribs for most of the cook. Did you mean to say the ones in the smoker will not be wrapped in foil? If not, you are just cooking ribs at 200 in two different places. but the samre relative (foiled) conditions.

If so, you need to add a third and fourth subject to the test: No foil at all in smoke, and no foil at all in Oven.

Bear in mind, as stated above, I am not so smart.

ggeilman · 03-23-2007, 03:37 PM

There was a method when I first signed on here that works fairly well called 3-2-1. 3 hours in the smoke, 2 in foil, 1 back in the smoke. Sometimes mine get a little too tender that way so I cut it to 2.5-2-1.

jgh1204 · 03-23-2007, 03:40 PM

Spares = 3-2-1
Loin Ribs=2-2-1(or less)

Wine & Swine · 03-23-2007, 03:40 PM

What kind of a smoker are you using and what fuel/wood. 15 minutes of smoke seems odd. What temp do you try to maintain on the smoker?

Azinine · 03-23-2007, 03:41 PM

3 hours wrapped would most likely make them too mushy as mista said.

Jaberwabee · 03-23-2007, 04:07 PM

I have adopted the 3-2-1 method also. What do you mean by "hitting them hard for 15 min" ? Great big pillowy white smoke is not what we are looking for, that will make the ribs bitter. A Grey or blueish tinted smoke and not alot coming out the smoker is what to get to.

G$ · 03-23-2007, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgh1204

Spares = 3-2-1
Loin Ribs=2-2-1(or less)

This of course is the standard. It does not look anything liek what he is talking about above. I am just trying to figure out what he is 'planning on trying' and not the 'standrad way to cook ribs. I still don't get it.

icemn62 · 03-23-2007, 05:38 PM

Welcome, stop by Cattle Call and introduce yourself. Make sure you include the cookers you are using so we can give you good advice to your questions.

As to this one, I would ask what temp do you keep in the smoker, and what do you ribs look like when they are done?

Kirk · 03-23-2007, 06:13 PM

I'm not quite sure the cooking method is sound. Cooking ribs in foil for 3 hrs is only going to net you mushy, falling apart, steamed ribs. "Hitting them hard" with smoke for 15 minutes first will at best give you next to nothing or at worst a nasty taste on your steamed ribs. I'm no expert but if you feel that you must foil, try something like this:
-Get the cooker ready first, meaning up to temp and with light smoke coming out of it. Even if the smoke dies down to nothing as the cook progresses, it will be OK. Shoot for temps between 225 and 275. Don't overdo it with the smoke wood. (Letting us know what kind of cooker you have will make it easier for us to help you out on this one).
-Place the seasoned ribs in the cooker for a couple of hours until they're the color you want. 2 hrs or so for baby backs, 3 or so for spares.
-Wrap the ribs in foil (put a little apple juice in the foil package too, if you like) and put them back in the cooker until they are tender. 45 minutes to an hour, max. Check with a toothpick or a fork or something. It should go in with little resistance.
-Unwrap the ribs and put them back in the cooker until they firm up a little, anywhere up to an hour, and sauce them when they're almost ready. That's the 3 criteria for each step in the cooking process. All times are approximate, your mileage may vary.
-Eat the presumably tasty and tender ribs.
-Repeat as necessary.

Good luck and let us know if you have any more questions.

DaChief · 03-23-2007, 06:13 PM

Yep on the 3-2-1 sorta. I also have dropped to more of a 2ish-2-1

Azinine · 03-23-2007, 06:50 PM

what Kirk said...

bowhnter · 03-23-2007, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azinine

what Kirk said...

Ditto

03-23-2007, 03:03 PM	#1
gunzilla Got rid of the matchlight. Join Date: 03-23-07 Location: Austin Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Smoking Ribs I have found that the longer my ribs stay in the smoker, the less tender they are. Tomorrow I will do two racks with exactly the same rub. They are already wrappen in the fridge. I will hit them with smoke hard for 15 minutes and double wrap them in foil. Next one will go in the oven for 3 hours at 200 and the other one i will keep wrapped in the smoker for 3 hours. All comments are welcome. I am trying to figure out if the ribs that fall off the bone are because of... consistent low temp (200 in the oven) or not being smoked for too long Bring it...

03-23-2007, 03:08 PM	#2
VGuilford is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 03-01-07 Location: Raymore, Mo. South of Kansas City Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	This is what I do. Works for me. I smoke them for 2 hrs around 225-250. Pull and wrap in foil for about 2 more hrs. in the smoker at the same temp. Course I apply rub and everything else b4 hand __________________ See Ya in the Smoke!!! Vern MooCow BBQ www.moocowbbq.com KCBS CBJ Texas Smoker Oklahoma Joe Original Vermont Castings Gasser Turkey fryer Little Smokey Joe ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MoFo Chapter ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

03-23-2007, 03:37 PM	#5
ggeilman is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 08-14-05 Location: San Antonio, TX Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	There was a method when I first signed on here that works fairly well called 3-2-1. 3 hours in the smoke, 2 in foil, 1 back in the smoke. Sometimes mine get a little too tender that way so I cut it to 2.5-2-1. __________________ NB Bandera with mods, Weber Kettle, Texas Trailblazer

03-23-2007, 03:40 PM	#6
jgh1204 Babbling Farker Join Date: 12-26-04 Location: Selma, TX(You better slow down when you hit town) Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Spares = 3-2-1 Loin Ribs=2-2-1(or less) __________________ Wannabe BBQ Illuminati

03-23-2007, 03:41 PM	#8
Azinine Take a breath! Join Date: 02-16-07 Location: Atlanta, GA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	3 hours wrapped would most likely make them too mushy as mista said. __________________ Jared "Yeah, but bacon tastes gooood. Pork chops taste gooood" -Pulp Fiction Weber Smokey Mountain Weber 22.5" One Touch Silver Charbroil Silver Smoker w/ mods (never used anymore)

03-23-2007, 03:40 PM	#7
Wine & Swine Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 08-23-06 Location: Garden City, NY Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	What kind of a smoker are you using and what fuel/wood. 15 minutes of smoke seems odd. What temp do you try to maintain on the smoker?

03-23-2007, 04:07 PM	#9
Jaberwabee is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 11-21-06 Location: Wichita, KS Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I have adopted the 3-2-1 method also. What do you mean by "hitting them hard for 15 min" ? Great big pillowy white smoke is not what we are looking for, that will make the ribs bitter. A Grey or blueish tinted smoke and not alot coming out the smoker is what to get to. __________________ Oct 2011 Update. (it changes) 2 WSM's 1 of each (18.5, 22.5) 2 UDS's Gone, (Brother in Law took them....FARKER) 1 Rib Machine Chargriller Pro Hella Mod (Retired) 2 Bubba Keg (One HOT MOTHER, One LOW N SLOW) 1 22" Performer Yoder YS-640 is the next cooking device.

03-23-2007, 05:38 PM	#11
icemn62 Babbling Farker Join Date: 07-10-04 Location: Los Angeles, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Welcome, stop by Cattle Call and introduce yourself. Make sure you include the cookers you are using so we can give you good advice to your questions. As to this one, I would ask what temp do you keep in the smoker, and what do you ribs look like when they are done? __________________ Weber Kettle, WSM, CharBroil Gas Grill, George Foreman Grilll I AM LOVING THE SMOKE WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may create the illusion that you are tougher,smarter, faster and better looking than most people.

03-23-2007, 06:13 PM	#12
Kirk is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-06-05 Location: Langhorne PA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I'm not quite sure the cooking method is sound. Cooking ribs in foil for 3 hrs is only going to net you mushy, falling apart, steamed ribs. "Hitting them hard" with smoke for 15 minutes first will at best give you next to nothing or at worst a nasty taste on your steamed ribs. I'm no expert but if you feel that you must foil, try something like this: -Get the cooker ready first, meaning up to temp and with light smoke coming out of it. Even if the smoke dies down to nothing as the cook progresses, it will be OK. Shoot for temps between 225 and 275. Don't overdo it with the smoke wood. (Letting us know what kind of cooker you have will make it easier for us to help you out on this one). -Place the seasoned ribs in the cooker for a couple of hours until they're the color you want. 2 hrs or so for baby backs, 3 or so for spares. -Wrap the ribs in foil (put a little apple juice in the foil package too, if you like) and put them back in the cooker until they are tender. 45 minutes to an hour, max. Check with a toothpick or a fork or something. It should go in with little resistance. -Unwrap the ribs and put them back in the cooker until they firm up a little, anywhere up to an hour, and sauce them when they're almost ready. That's the 3 criteria for each step in the cooking process. All times are approximate, your mileage may vary. -Eat the presumably tasty and tender ribs. -Repeat as necessary. Good luck and let us know if you have any more questions. __________________ Backyard All-Stars BBQ Team "Too much pork for just one fork" - SCOTS

03-23-2007, 06:13 PM	#13
DaChief Babbling Farker Join Date: 01-28-07 Location: Melbourne, FL Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Yep on the 3-2-1 sorta. I also have dropped to more of a 2ish-2-1

03-23-2007, 06:50 PM	#14
Azinine Take a breath! Join Date: 02-16-07 Location: Atlanta, GA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	what Kirk said... __________________ Jared "Yeah, but bacon tastes gooood. Pork chops taste gooood" -Pulp Fiction Weber Smokey Mountain Weber 22.5" One Touch Silver Charbroil Silver Smoker w/ mods (never used anymore)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Need help (smoking ribs) please	Rover >~<>	Q-talk	15	06-08-2011 02:20 PM
First attempt at smoking ribs.....Ever	Elfmaze	Q-talk	32	04-10-2011 06:39 PM
Smoking my first ribs tomorrow!	rknotthere	Q-talk	18	03-25-2011 11:35 AM
Smoking Ribs?	hydramax	Q-talk	22	08-14-2008 08:31 PM
smoking ribs	prodano	Q-talk	9	10-03-2007 09:53 PM