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Why remove the membrane?

Dave_Matthews
Dave_Matthews Posts: 204
edited May 2013 in EggHead Forum
I cooked some ribs the other night and had some membrane left on.  No big deal, and a bit fun/crunchy.  Am I a bad person?

Dave
no, not -that- one!
KI4PSR

Comments

  • tnbarbq
    tnbarbq Posts: 248
    You are perfectly normal. I think removing the membrane is too labor intensive and highly over rated.
    Scooter 
    Mid TN. Hangin' in the 'Boro. MIM Judge
  • Eggcelsior
    Eggcelsior Posts: 14,414
    What's a membrane? I have never seen one on ribs.  ;)


    (hooray for Costco and membrane-free ribs)
  • Aviator
    Aviator Posts: 1,757
    What's a membrane? I have never seen one on ribs.  ;)


    (hooray for Costco and membrane-free ribs)


    The Pleura. You know better.

    Ideally to be removed due to its tough structure, but if it does not bother you, don't waste time messing with it. Removing it also lets you season the bone side.

    ______________________________________________ 

    Large and Small BGE, Blackstone 36 and a baby black Kub.

    Chattanooga, TN.

     

  • Eggcelsior
    Eggcelsior Posts: 14,414
    edited May 2013
    +1 @aviator

    This is precisely why I remove them when I get non-costco ribs.

    (yes I know better)
  • image

    XL BGE with adj rig & woo2

  • BOWHUNR
    BOWHUNR Posts: 1,487
    Why not it's easy and it allows more rub to get to the meat.  A butter knife and a paper towel and it's off of the rack lickity split.   After I remove it I take a fork and pierce between each rib several times on each side.  I learned this at a school taught by Chris Marks of Ace of Hearts BBQ.  I questioned it at first, but hey, he's won the American Royal 8 times.

    Mike

    I'm ashamed what I did for a Klondike Bar!!

    Omaha, NE
  • henapple
    henapple Posts: 16,025
    While I don't care for Rendezvous ribs... I like the crunchy membrane they leave on. Might try it next time.
    Green egg, dead animal and alcohol. The "Boro".. TN 
  • I do it but I think it's easy. BBQ restaurants do not do it (in general) so if you have a favorite rib joint, you've eaten plenty of membrane
    Keepin' It Weird in The ATX FBTX
  • Justacookin
    Justacookin Posts: 291
    I have pulled it and have pierced it personally I like the crispy side with lotts of seasoning.
    XL & waiting for my Mini Max Bloomington MN.
  • lousubcap
    lousubcap Posts: 32,167
    Back in the good 'ol days I was told to remove and recycle the membrane as that was the basic ingredient for condoms...now I have slept in a Holiday Inn Express since then and consumed a few adult supervisory beverages so I may have shaded the facts-but no apologies :)>-
    Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood. # 38 for the win.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period.
  • Botch
    Botch Posts: 15,428
    lousubcap said:
    Back in the good 'ol days I was told to remove and recycle the membrane as that was the basic ingredient for condoms...
    There's a baby-back pun somewhere here but I can't put my finger on it... 
    _____________

    "I mean, I don't just kill guys, I'm notorious for doing in houseplants."  - Maggie, Northern Exposure


  • MrCookingNurse
    MrCookingNurse Posts: 4,665

    Botch
    said:
    lousubcap said:
    Back in the good 'ol days I was told to remove and recycle the membrane as that was the basic ingredient for condoms...
    There's a baby-back pun somewhere here but I can't put my finger on it... 



    Baby Back Rubbers

    Slogan: Baby "get" back.... Ain't no body got time for that!


    Take time to remove your membrane, your ribs (and parents) will thank you later!


    _______________________________________________

    XLBGE 
  • Skiddymarker
    Skiddymarker Posts: 8,522
    Membrane off - always tender. Once you find the edge, use a piece of paper towel to grab the membrane and off she comes. 
    Costco (Swifts i think?) seem to always be removed. 
    IMHO if ribs are braised or steamed, the membrane seems to actually get tougher, on the egg it seems to get crunchy?
    Delta B.C. - Whiskey and steak, because no good story ever started with someone having a salad!
  • MrCookingNurse
    MrCookingNurse Posts: 4,665
    edited May 2013
    oh goodness..... now i really am sorry for leaving that on your wholesome thread


    _______________________________________________

    XLBGE 
  • lousubcap
    lousubcap Posts: 32,167
    Always enjoyed "swimming without a raincoat" but I digress!
    Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood. # 38 for the win.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period.
  • Aviator
    Aviator Posts: 1,757
    lousubcap said:
    Always enjoyed "swimming without a raincoat" but I digress!

    Don't know about "swimming while on alcohol" with out a raincoat, but I like to run sober without a raincoat doing that. :D

    ______________________________________________ 

    Large and Small BGE, Blackstone 36 and a baby black Kub.

    Chattanooga, TN.

     

  • henapple
    henapple Posts: 16,025
    It said "ribbed for her pleasure"... I'm selfish, I turned it inside out.
    Green egg, dead animal and alcohol. The "Boro".. TN 
  • Aviator
    Aviator Posts: 1,757
    edited May 2013
    henapple said:
    It said "ribbed for her pleasure"... I'm selfish, I turned it inside out.
    Why, are you petit that it ribs on you?
    =))

    ______________________________________________ 

    Large and Small BGE, Blackstone 36 and a baby black Kub.

    Chattanooga, TN.

     

  • caliking
    caliking Posts: 18,727
    Actually, intestine (from sheep?) was used for condoms way back when. I think.

    I leave the membrane on. I like the way it takes up the rub. I usually rub the membrane side with more cayenne so that it hits the tongue first.

    #1 LBGE December 2012 • #2 SBGE February  2013 • #3 Mini May 2013
    A happy BGE family in Houston, TX.
  • Chubbs
    Chubbs Posts: 6,929
    henapple said:

    It said "ribbed for her pleasure"... I'm selfish, I turned it inside out.

    =))
    Columbia, SC --- LBGE 2011 -- MINI BGE 2013
  • MrCookingNurse
    MrCookingNurse Posts: 4,665
    caliking said:

    Actually, intestine (from sheep?) was used for condoms way back when. I think.

    I leave the membrane on. I like the way it takes up the rub. I usually rub the membrane side with more cayenne so that it hits the tongue first.

    Gotta get my mind out of the gutter and your helping zero


    _______________________________________________

    XLBGE 
  • Little Steven
    Little Steven Posts: 28,817
    caliking said:
    Actually, intestine (from sheep?) was used for condoms way back when. I think. I leave the membrane on. I like the way it takes up the rub. I usually rub the membrane side with more cayenne so that it hits the tongue first.

    I'm now puking over every lamb sausage I ever ate

    Steve 

    Caledon, ON

     

  • henapple
    henapple Posts: 16,025
    With all the diseases out now you better use aglad garbage bag.
    Green egg, dead animal and alcohol. The "Boro".. TN 
  • caliking
    caliking Posts: 18,727
    I'm now puking over every lamb sausage I ever ate
    My work is done then. See, I can be an idea man too!  =))

    #1 LBGE December 2012 • #2 SBGE February  2013 • #3 Mini May 2013
    A happy BGE family in Houston, TX.
  • boatbum
    boatbum Posts: 1,273
    I always want to take the membrane off.   But, have gotten in too much of a hurry, skipped ( or forgot) the step.   Was not the end of the world.
    Cookin in Texas
  • WiltOnTilt
    WiltOnTilt Posts: 102
    Seems to be a polarizing topic. Some ppl love it, others hate it. I found the ribs at rendezvous in Memphis to be terrible and part of the reason why was the membrane. I'm from KC though so maybe my expectations were too high. I significantly prefer no membrane but if you like it then go for it.