LONG babyback cook time

[BigTerp]

Did 2 racks of babybacks over the weekend that took longer then normal on my setup to get done. This is probably the 4th or 5th time I've done babybacks, and at 225 they typically take 5-6 hours with no wrapping. This time at the 7.5 hour mark, they still wouldn't quite pass the bend test, but I pulled them to eat anyway since it was getting late. They were definitely on the tough side, but still good. They were also probably the meatiest slab of babybacks I've ever done. Could that be the reason they were taking so long to get nice and tender? Pit stayed a pretty consistent 225 using my new PartyQ, but did get a spike to 300 due to the really windy conditions that day and a subsequent dip to below 200 after adjusting. The total time to get things back in order was maybe 30-45 minutes. Just curious what the deal was this time around. Thinking of running my pit around 250 next time to shorten the cook time.

[SmittyJonz]

275* is Perfect.

[BigTerp]

275* is Perfect.

This is what I'm thinking. Increasing the pit temp. I know no bbq can go by time, but what's a reasonable guesstimate on time when cooking at 275 without wrapping? I'm thinking somewhere around 4-5 hours? Start doing the bend test around 4 or so?

[ml8163]

This is what I'm thinking. Increasing the pit temp. I know no bbq can go by time, but what's a reasonable guesstimate on time when cooking at 275 without wrapping? I'm thinking somewhere around 4-5 hours? Start doing the bend test around 4 or so?

4 hours at 275 is probably about right.

[SmokinM]

I cook my baby back ribs at 350 for 45 to 60 mins. They come out moist and tender each time. I no longer cook ribs at 225 for 3 to 4 hours.

[BigTerp]

I cook my baby back ribs at 350 for 45 to 60 mins. They come out moist and tender each time. I no longer cook ribs at 225 for 3 to 4 hours.

I'll have to give this a try sometime.

[bwram1]

I did 3 racks of Smithfield prime reserve "extra meaty" ribs yesterday. Cooker ran 225-235 consistently with brief spikes up to 250-260 when adding wood and leaving the door open til they caught fire. Unwrapped for 2 hours, wrapped for 1 hour, sauced and on for another hour...4 hours and they passed the comp bite test and the bend test. These were some MEATY ribs...Not sure why yours would take 7 hours

[Victory]

I like to cook ribs at ~325

baby backs take about 2-1/2 hours

[LYU370]

Loin backs I do at 250, spares at 275. They both take right around 4 hours. I've never liked the bend test, prefer the toothpick test.