First time doing ribs

[Lorne]

Did baby back ribs for the first time This was my procedure and while they were OK I was a bit disappointed as they were not fall off the bone tender and the smoke flavor was a bit too strong:
- used a rub and then wrapped them in plastic wrap and let set for about 2 hours
- smoked them without any type of covering for 3 hours at 225 degrees with apple bisquettes
- removed them, added apple juice, wrapped them in aluminum foil and put back in smoker for an hour
- finished them on the BBQ for about 15 minutes brushing with BBQ sauce

Any comments about my technique or lack thereof would be appreciated.

[beefmann]

what kind of rub did you  use?
try smoking ribs at 2 hours  with apple.
also try leaving wrapped in foil with apple juice for 2 hours in the smoker infusing the apple juice
you can also brush on the bbq sauce onto the ribs in the bradley

did you  remove the membrane from the bottom side of the ribs?   this can make the ribs tougher

[Quackills]

Try the 2-2-1 method 2 hours under smoke, 2 hours wrapped in tin foil spritzed with apple juice and bourbon, and last hour uncovered.

[TedEbear]

Yes, I was also going to suggest something like the 2-2-1 for baby backs, or even 2-2-.5.  They should be rather tender after the second stage and almost falling apart.  If not, then leave them steaming in the foil a bit longer.  Also, make sure the foil is sealed pretty well (roll the edges together) or a lot of that hot steam that makes them tender just escapes.

For the final stage, you don't want to leave them exposed for too long,  just long enough to firm them up a bit.  A whole hour might be too long.  Experiment and find what works best for the way you like them.   :)

[Lorne]

Thanks everyone great tips here. Hopefully my next attempt will turn out better.

[Saber 4]

I went a different route and they turned out tender and tasty for us. I marinated in apple juice, soy sauce, lime juice thinned with water overnight in the fridge, then I pulled from marinade and covered with dry rub while it came to room temp while warming up the Bradley to 230. Then smoked for 3 hours of oak and at about 3 1/2 hours they were pulling from the bone and tender. I did spritz with water when I checked on them half way.

Just my two cents but it worked for me and I'll try them that way again to see if I can duplicate the results.

[beefmann]

great looking ribs