Whats the best ratio for baby backs (covered vs. uncovered)?

manthe10pt · February 2012

Trying ribs for the second time. First time I cooked with indirect heat (250 degrees) uncovered for 1.5 hours and then covered for 2.5 hours and uncovered for the final 10 minutes (at around 350) directly on the grate without the place setter. Is there a better ratio of uncovered to covered? Or does it really matter? The first time the ribs were good, but I want them to be great! Thanks for the input!!!! Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

jmsmrdk · February 2012

uncovered indirect for 4-7hours.

mazaman · February 2012

My family likes their ribs falling off the bone, so I go with 2-2-1 at 225-250. I'll cut the last hour short if I think the ribs are done. I just make sure that I give the glaze 15 minutes.

Danny Noonan · February 2012

The CWM 3-2-1 method has served me well for ribs. I spritz mine with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and apple juice at about 1 hour intervals during the 3 hour portion and again after unwrapping them for the 1 hour final phase. I do mine at 240 using a guru to control the temp. Glaze in the last 15-30 minutes.

AD18 · February 2012

I prefer not to foil my ribs, although I will occasionally for something a little different. I try to hit 225-235 grate temp. With those parameters I usually go 4-4.5 hours on back ribs and 6 for spares. I never open lid until half an hour before expected finish time to check for doneness and adjust cook time from there. If I do foil I still use the above guesstimate cook times with 2-1-1 for backs and 3-2-1 for spares. Once you learn what your defiition of "great" is you can tweak your method and timing to achieve what you like. Patience, timing, and experience is key to the art of q'ing. I've had my share of home runs and train wrecks as well. Hopefully your second was better than your first and third will be better than second. Best of luck!!!!

MaskedMarvel · February 2012

AD18 - are you saucing on the grill?

bariccardi · February 2012

I usually do 3-1-1 with great results

Rhodesdw · February 2012

I like the 3-1-1 (240 degrees ish). Covered for the middle hour with some beer or apple juice in the tent for steam and flavor. I often cut the last hour short if the ribs look done. Lastly i give them a hot blast on the gas grill (dare i say that) where i glaze them with some homemade BBQ sauce. enjoy

AD18 · February 2012

MM, yes I do. That becomes part and parcel of the cook time adjustment. I try to get the sauce on for a minimum of 15 minutes dependant on how thick the sauce is and it's setup time. I like my sauce to be sticky or gooie instead of bark like or runnie. Again, personal preference.

MaskedMarvel · February 2012

I prefer not to foil my ribs, although I will occasionally for something a little different. I try to hit 225-235 grate temp. With those parameters I usually go 4-4.5 hours on back ribs and 6 for spares. I never open lid until half an hour before expected finish time to check for doneness and adjust cook time from there. ... Best of luck!!!!

Thanks AD18 - Gonna try this method next time. I'll let you know how they turn out.

Whats the best ratio for baby backs (covered vs. uncovered)?

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