Spare Ribs- Trim Or Not

GregW

My indecision on what to cook for the 4th resulted in slim pickings at Sam's. The only ribs left were full size spare ribs.

Question is, should I cut them down to St Louis style? or cook the full spares?

I don't recall in all my years of cooking, doing spare ribs.

CigarCityEgger

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8MR2qFapuWI

Here’s Malcom Reed’s video for rib tips, looks pretty good if you decide to cut them 

GregW

Thank you @CigarCityEgger .

After searching the forum, there seems to be a lot of spare rib discussions.

Malcolm Reed always has good info.

marysvilleksegghead

pull the membrane off the ribs

lkapigian

I cut spares into St Louis and then to rib tips,,,,,you can cook as spares and cut down after the cook....I. fk with membrane half the time 

hoosier_egger

Always Stl cut here 

GregW

Thanks everyone. I will cut them down to St Louis. I do pull the membrane off.

HendersonTRKing

Membrane off. St. Louis cut. 
Cook the tips differently from the slabs for variety. 
Why do anything else?

GregW

Thanks @HendersonTRKing .

I have cooked St Louis cuts a lot over the last couple of years, but they have always been precut. I don't normally cut them down from spares.

The last dozen or so cooks have been baby backs. I changed from St Louis cut because the baby backs seem to be easier for people to eat. I have noticed the baby backs cook faster.

GregW

I trimmed the ribs. The St Louis style ribs turned out really good. Very tender, without being completely fall off the bone, just the right amount of bite.

The problem I have is, I can't ever decide whether I prefer St Louis or baby backs.

I never have both for a side by side comparison.

wardo

Sounds like a weekend assignment for the near future!

Ragtop99

GregW said:

I trimmed the ribs. The St Louis style ribs turned out really good. Very tender, without being completely fall off the bone, just the right amount of bite.

The problem I have is, I can't ever decide whether I prefer St Louis or baby backs.

I never have both for a side by side comparison.

spares won out with my family

jimdgreat1

I prefer full size spare ribs.