First shot at baby backs - Grade: B+

FaceDance · December 2013

As the title infers… they were decent, but I am sure i can do better. Not really sure what I'd do differently… probably get a rib rack and make my own rub.

* Two racks - cut in half, rinsed, dried and membrane peeled.

* Heavy coating of mustard.

* Rub combo of Bad Bryon's Butt Rub and John Henry's Pecan Rub.

* LBGE set up for indirect w/ some soaked cherry and hickory chips w/ a drip pan.

* Almost five hours at 225 - 250

* Hit with some Sweet Baby Rays for the last 20 minutes.

Pretty tasty and tender… just not as orgasmic as I was hoping for. Any suggestions?

Terrebandit · December 2013

They look good! Were the tough? On a low and slow, I'll foil mine for 1.5 to 2 hours. Total cook time will be 5 to 5.5 hours on baby backs.

PA Dutch Egger · December 2013

Look into 3-2-1 or variations thereof. Foiling with honey and brown sugar really tenderizes the meat.

Buckdodger · December 2013

Give yourself an A...look really good from here.

FaceDance · December 2013

They were pretty tender… not fall off the bone but pretty close. I guess I'll try some foil next time.

henapple · December 2013

Define orgasmic?

QDude · December 2013

Fall off the bone ribs are not necessarily the best tasting ribs.

TheShaytoon · December 2013

I love pizza and I love coffee, and one morning, I had leftover pizza for breakfast. Washed it down with coffee. It was not my favorite breakfast.

The point I am trying to make is that maybe it was nothing more than the Two different rubs didn't complement each other..

I see friends do this all the time, mixing rubs and sauces, thinking the more ingredients you add will make things better... I just think it makes things muddy.

Maybe pick the rub you like more and just use that next time, obviously they were of a good texture...

Mattman3969 · December 2013

Very good point @TheShaytoon. Sometimes less is more.

Texansurf · December 2013

I don't soak the wood chips I have found the flavor to be that of wet wood, I just smoke the chips without the water, aka steam, when heat is applied. That may help. Also it looks like the rub was rubbed on and created mustard-rub balls, I like to dust the rub on the mustard coated meat. This may help. I also find that hickory is a little strong for pork, but that may be my South Texas Palate

shtgunal3 · December 2013

Maybe neither of these contributed to your non orgasmic experience but I wouldn't soak your chips and I'd lose the mustard.

canman · December 2013

Everyone has their own idea of "orgasmic ribs", but to me I would lose the mustard and Sweet Baby Rays.

I enjoy mine with a good savory dry rub all the way through. With a sauce that is not to sweet on the side for dipping. I also use hickory, sometimes a little fruit tree in as well. Fruit wood pairs well with ribs (in my opinion).

SmokingInMO · December 2013

I use butter rather then mustard and if they fall off the bone they are over cooked. You are looking for a good clean bite through not meat falling off the bone.

500 · December 2013

With so many excellent home made sauce recipes out there, the first thing I would change is to loose the Sweet Baby Rays. IMO, high fructose corn syrup gives food a strange taste when it's cooked. If you want a sauce recipe I like, I will look it up and link it here.

FaceDance · December 2013

Thanks everyone… I appreciate all of the suggestions and advice. Next time i'll make my own rub and sauce and see how that goes.

grege345 · December 2013

They look perfect to me. Are you looking for "fall off the bone" type ribs?

njl · December 2013

Foiling for part of the cook will get you ribs that if you cook full slabs, you'll have to be very delicate with to keep them from breaking up when moving them.

Mike_the_BBQ_Fanatic · December 2013

I have never used mustard...I coat mine with a little veg oil to make the rub adhere well...I also love sweet baby rays...but I only use it on the side and even then only 50/50...Found I like em without rub just as much...

TonyA · December 2013

I agree with @TheShaytoon and a lot of the following comments. I want to elaborate on his and some of the other points here a little.

The sauce (if you use it - you don't have to), the rub, the binder, and the smoke are a dance. They all work together to create a flavor experience WITH the meat. Too much of any portion will throw it out of balance.

You don't 'have' to make your own rub and sauce to find your brand your barbecue. I make my own rub only because I started with salt and pepper and built up a rub until i found what I wanted. That particular rub is pitiful on its own, but it sings with a sweet sauce like rays. (I prefer stubbs sweet heat now). I use that rub as a base for a dry rib and then use another rub in the middle of the cook to compliment it.

If you made a solid rib on your first go round - that's awesome. They do look great btw. I would buy some rubs and sauces. Mix and match them on some thin cut pork chops (cheaper and quicker than ribs and you get a general idea) to get an understanding of how they work together and what flavor profiles you like.

What wood you use is also going to play a critical role. Hickory, oak and pecan are way different than apple, cherry and peach, all of which are way different than mesquite.

Be prepared to have several cooks before you find what you are looking for. Enjoy it - it's all part of the fun!

First shot at baby backs - Grade: B+

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