3-1-1 with no sauce?

eggheel · May 2008

I typically like to do a simple dry rub bb rib and add a NC vinegar based sauce at the end. Pre-egg I did the ribs in the oven for about 6 hours in a covered roasting pan. This way they sat in their own fat and got "fall off the bone" tender. Failed to replicate this so far on the egg. Will the 3-1-1 work if I don't use sauce to keep moist?

Tommy · May 2008

Just a thought, why don't you put them on the grill for several hours low temp and soak up the grill and smoke flavor then wrap them in foil. Might even want to hose um down with some NC sauce and then wrap um.

Tommy · May 2008

Also I really like the plate setter for long cooks, it keeps skin from getting to done. Using the plate setter you can go longer before you foil, if you do foil.
But I haven't won any contest so don't take my word as gospel.

Celtic Wolf · May 2008

The 3-1-1 Method doesn't require sauce till the last few minutes of the cook. That is only to carmelize the sauce.

Simple answer YES. You really don't want them "fall off the bone" . At that point they are actually over cooked. You want the meat to just have a gentle pull on the bone.

During that last hour check the ribs by picking them up with tongs perpendicular to the bone. The rack should bend 90 degrees and not break. Or if you stick them with a toothpick the toothpick should pull out without resistance. The last hour could and usually is less then and hour.

While they are in the foil add a small amount of apple juice in the foil. This will help enhance the flavor of the final product.

IMHO: Ribs don't really fix the Eastern NC Vinegar based sauce profile. Now the western NC tomato based sauce does..

Tommy · May 2008

In my pre eggin days I had a recipe that I cooked in the crock pot.
The ribs were really goood and they did fall off of the bone, but the grill does not produce the same texture as the crock pot it also does not have grill and smoke flavor.
The same recipe on the grill is better IMO.

Celtic Wolf · May 2008

If you boil ribs you might as well make soup!! :unsure:

Seriously you want the meat to come off the bone clean, but there should be a minor tug.

Pyro · May 2008

Has anyone here tried using apple cider rather than apple juice? I prefer the flavor and wonder if the slightly acidic nature would benefit ribs?

Celtic Wolf · May 2008

The only difference between Cider and Juice is the process in which it is made and the clarity. Apple Cider will work well too.

Apple Cider Vinegar will not.

Tommy · May 2008

I concer with that emotion, crock pots are for soup.
And yes I love to use Braggs apple cider vinegar and or apple juice and apple cider mixed.

Eggtucky · May 2008

remember that the egg does a much better job of retaining heat and moisture than a gazzer so drying out is not as much of a problem...some folks spritz with apple juice or cider once an hour or so..but I find that just rinses some of the rub off especially if done too soon.. as to 'fall off the bone'..there's a fine line between 'fall off the bone' and 'mushy'. Mushy ribs are not good...also..i prefer a tomato base sauce to vinegar base on ribs...just mho..

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3-1-1 with no sauce?

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