Pork Ribs - The learning curve continues

[threerivers]

It's been two weeks now since I did my first batch of ribs on the BS.  Armed with a variety of Dizzy Pig rubs and a pair of racks from Costco, I jumped in with both feet.  I should mention that before I realized I could use my BS for something other than smoking salmon, I had always thought the best way to cook ribs involved preboiling them and then throwing them on a grill for a short time (yes I see ya'll rolling your eyes and chuckling!)  Well, I decided to experiment a bit.  I marinated one rack overnight in apple juice/apple cider vinegar - one without.  Sprinkled both racks generously with Dizzy's basic blend and into the smoker for about six hours - then FTC'd for another hour or so.  Both racks were delicious - I really love Dizzy's rubs.  The rack that had been marinated was too tender - falling off the rib - lot of the texture gone.  But the rack prepared without the marinading was fabulous.  Great flavor - great texture...really really good!   

Okay so last week, experiment #2.  I'll admit upfront that I got a little overeager here.  First off, wanted to try ribs from another grocery outlet here in Portland - United Grocers  - aka Cash and Carry.  Directed the wife to pick up two packs of regular pork ribs and one pack of baby backs to compare.  Had some company spending the weekend and figured I could fit all six racks into the Bradley.  Only when I broke open the first package or ribs did I learn that C and C packs their ribs "THREE to a pack" rather than two!   I  think their racks are a bit larger on average than Costco's also. 

Okay so one pack of porks heads for the feezer and another day, and I go to work on the other six racks.  No marinading this time - did half with Dizzy's basic rub and half with the Swamp Venom.  Only problem  this time around was realizing that this is too much meat to cook in the BS at one time.  After four hours I was still not up to 200 degrees.  Took two racks out - foiled' em and finished in the oven at about 230 degree.  Let the others finish in the BS and the temp came up to 230 in no time.   

All the racks turned out super - and we loved the Swamp Venom's extra kick.  Told the missus that I want a second BS for father's day.  Smoked with Pecan the first time and maple the second time.  Would use both again.  This weekend I'm trying poultry!  Soon as my Raptor arrives it's on to butt!

Thanks to all of your who submit to this forum - it's become my "go to" resource as I learn!

Jim
Three Rivers, Oregon

[iceman]

Everyone has to start somewhere threerivers. I'm just happy as heck your enjoying it. It is so much fun with the Bradley I constantly find myself looking for something different to try. Your right about the par boiling though. My coffee shot out my nose when I read that part :D. It's great if you want pork rib soup stock but that's about it. ::). It sounds like your getting all set up for some serious smoking there. The family is going to love it. Have fun and keep us posted on your latest there le chef. ;)

[owrstrich]

i will be in hillsboro from 6-15 to 6-25...

im gonna be smoking as much as possible...

lets get together...

[MWS]

i will be in hillsboro from 6-15 to 6-25...

im gonna be smoking as much as possible...

lets get together...

Hey Owrstrich, when in Hillsboro, you must visit this place........A real jewell from the McMenamins Brothers

[Oldman]

threerivers
Congrats on the ribs... as to doing a boston butt you almost have to beat it with a hammer to ruin a butt.

Olds

[owrstrich]

mws... i know exactly where that place is located... we take cornelious pass over to the st john bridge to avoid the freeways...

we will give it the once over for sure...

you gotta eat...

owrstrich

[threerivers]

i will be in hillsboro from 6-15 to 6-25...

im gonna be smoking as much as possible...

lets get together...

Sure - let me know your schedule....and what's on the menu.....

Jim

[owrstrich]

rivers... im at cornell and cornelius... i got some time this weekend or next...

you gotta eat...

owrstrich

[MWS]

rivers... im at cornell and cornelius... i got some time this weekend or next...

you gotta eat...

owrstrich

owrstrich, I don't want to hijack the thread...and please bump back for Rivers...but I must insist you go to the Cornelius Pass Roadhouse and have an ale for me....preferably a Terminator Stout or one of the McMenamins hoppier varieties. Also because your close....You must visit the Grand Lodge in Forest Grove.. Another favorite of mine. I will be at these locations in mid July...too bad we missed each other.

[owrstrich]

threerivers and mws...

we have been real busy up here in the land of magic mushrooms..

we have been past the cornelius pass roadhouse about 10 times but have not stopped in... i promise we will go there tomorrow and have a terminator... 

we have passed the grand lodge about 4 times also... now that i know what its all about we will go check it out next year... i promise...

i also passed a united grocers cash and carry... it like smart and final... i wish i would have looked them up before i got the beast at winco... i really dig those smart and finals...

http://www.smartandfinal.com/locationSearch.aspx

you gotta eat...

owrstrich

[MWS]

http://mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=13&category=Location%20Homepage

I wish I was there......oh wait...I will be in less than a month  ;D ;D ;D

Edit: Owrstrich....have a Hammerhead IPA....tis the summer season.

[threerivers]

SOrry we didn't hook up - my wife's held me captive at the coast for the past couple weeks - did up some chicken, ribs, and my first boston butt - other than cooking it a little too fast..(230..probably slow her down to 200 next time)  it was super.  By the way...I got my Father's Day wish - a second bradley and news that out first grandchild is on the way!  What could be better!