Baby back ribs came out a little tough. Advice?

OlatheMike

I smoked 4 slabs of baby back ribs for the super bowl. They were really good but I expected them to be a little more tender. They didn't exactly "fall off of the bone".[p]I smoked them at 250 degrees for just over 3 hours over direct heat without opening the BGE. Did I cook them too long or short? Could have been the meat? I used a rib rack and they barely fit in my large BGE. Maybe this is normal. Any advice is appreciated.

AZRP

OlatheMike,
My guess would be too short cooking time. I usually go about 5 hours for BBs. -RP

stike

OlatheMike,
you were just over halfway there.[p]try indirect until you nail it, 250 for 5 to six hours.[p]can also go indirect for 2 to 3 hours, then foil indirect for 1 with a braising medium (apple juice, etc.), then another 1 hour direct with a glaze. [p]ribs don't get cooked til they are done. they get cooked til they are overdone, then a little longer. the collagen breaks down over time and gives you the moist tender results.

Nature Boy

OlatheMike,
I am with Mike. Tough dry ribs are usually the sign of undercooked ribs. Many folks think dry and tough means overcooked, but with ribs it is usually the opposite. Overcooked ribs might be dry, but they will be mush....not tough. Just a few thoughts. It's hard too say for sure without being there. Tender ribs in 3 hours is possible, but sounds like yours could have stood some more time.[p]Beers, and better luck next time!
Chris

AlaskanC

OlatheMike,[p]Ooooh....too short of a cooking time. I usually do mine for at least 5 hours, but 6 is better.

OlatheMike

This forum is the greatest thing since the BGE itself. Thank you everyone for your help

Unknown

OlatheMike,
Everybody else is probably dead-on about the time issue. When I cook on the same day as the party I almost always foil the ribs. It is the surest way to get tender ribs when you aren't on a "they're done when they're done" cook. After 2-3 hours wrap each slab in foil for about an hour. You'll be amazed how they are after that. Pull them out of the foil and then cook them for another hour or so.

Unknown

OlatheMike,[p]I too did baby backs for the SB. I did 4 racks in the v-rack (Indirect) for four hours on 275 and then opened up the vents full blast to mop them up for 10 minutes to cure the sauce. Probably the best ribs I have ever eaten. BTW - this was my first time using the BGE - Awesome![p]Norm

Cabdriver

OlatheMike,
Piling on -- Agree with all the others -- way too short. Did BB's for Super Bowl -- 5.5 hours, foil wrapped, as others indicate. Really were falling off the bone.