Pork Spareribs (need help)

[robs]

I picked them up because they were cheap and look real good. I haven't been much of a rib guy, so I don't know what the hell I'm doing - but I want to learn.

Are pork spareribs any good?

These things have like 1/16 " layer of fat on the back side. Shoud I take this off before I smoke? Is this that membrane thingy you guys were talking about? It's like a perfectly flat 1/16" layer of white something.

Thanks for the help.

rob

[robs]

Figured it out.

It was membrane and it kicked my ass. I kinda followed this: http://www.bbq-book.com/ribs/

[West Coast Kansan]

I have never gotten the membrane to peel off like is shown in Fig 5. But then I have never used gloves either. What you dont see well in the picture is the paper towel used for grip. The paper towel helps greatly but it IS a lot of work!

[asa]

Many BBQ/smoking aficianados in the southeast would only consider cooking pork spare ribs. Others, including many on the forum here, love the baby back ribs. Spare ribs tend to be less expensive and meatier, but also fatter than the baby backs. My suggestion - try both several times each and see which you prefer (and remove the membrane from the back using paper towels for a better grip - it gets easier with experience).