Cooking time for ribs

Unknown · February 2001

I've smoked pork ribs a couple of times in my BGE but have yet to find the right mix of temperature and cooking time. In each instance, I've smoked four or five racks at a time at a cooking temperature of approximately 200 degrees for approximately five hours. The ribs taste really good, but the meat remains firm and doesn't have that "fall of the bone" tenderness. I'm not sure if I'm overcooking or undercooking the ribs. Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

Mop · February 2001

Ribquest,Are you looking for "fall off the bone" or are you looking for "Pull off the bone"
Every time I have had "fall off the bone" they have tasted a tad mushy for my liking....[p]I would bump the temp up to 225º to 250º, you might find that a bit more to your liking......[p]Mop~[p]

Nature Boy · February 2001

Ribquest, great handle BTW. You did not mention if you were cooking direct or indirect. Like Mop says, you need to kick up your cookin temps a bit. When cooking indirect, your cooking level temps are lower than the temp in the top of your dome. You are probably cooking at 185-190 at best. [p]If going indirect, I use a minimum of 250 dome. [p]JJ's direct method is great, and even then you need at least 225 to get anywhere. Your ribs are definitely underdone.[p]Orio kid was in your shoes 2 weeks ago...now he is cooking some killer ribs!
Hang in there.
NB

Tim M · February 2001

<p />Ribquest,[p]Ribs are enjoyed in different ways by folks differently. Some like them this way and some that way. It sounds like you had them undercooked or you want the less firm meat type of fall of the bone ribs. Those can be gotten by using a method like the 3-1.5-1 method. This is 3 hrs indirect at 275-300 then 1.5 hr in foil and indirect and then 1 hr direct over the fire at 225-250 deg. The last hr firms the meat up as it cooks so you can get really tender (steamed) ribs if you do them 2 hr in foil and then 30 min direct. It would be 3-2-.5. [p]Also, next time you do them like you have, check the meat temp between the bones in a meaty area. If its not 180 or more, you will probably get a tought rib. I try to shoot for 190.[p]Tim
[ul][li]Tim's BGE cookbook and stuff[/ul]

Nature Boy · February 2001

Dang Tim, We almost collided! Haven't heard from you in a while. hope all is well.
NB

GJ · February 2001

Ribquest, I just finished a batch that I did indirect, around 3 hrs right around 280. I cooked them a little hot as I had to feed the kids before bed time (nice of me isn't it!) but they were as Mop would describe "Pull off the bone". I would not want them done any more.[p]GJ[p]

Unknown · February 2001

Ribquest,
Do the Tim M method. I've done them three times and every time the people I've served them to say they are the best they have ever had. You won't be sorry and I won't make them any other way.

Cooking time for ribs

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