FIRST SMOKE

[mathew2172]

So i did my first smoke yesterday, used the 3-2-1 method but varied it a bit as i couldnt keep the temp up as it was really windy in nebraska. I did smoke for 3 hours using hickory at 225 degrees, wrap[ped in foil and sparyaed with a mixture of apple juice vinegear and butter, cooked. only could get the temp back up to around 215. then pulled out and sprayed with same mixture again but could onlt get temp to about 207. So i left them in for about a hour and half. Well the ribs were pretty good but they had a bit of a leather coating on the outside. Some help would be great so that doesnt happen again.

Thanks

[mathew2172]

 also how do you add pictures?

[TedEbear]

How long did you leave them in for the foil stage?  Were the spare ribs or baby backs?  Baby backs don't take as long to cook.

You said that you pulled them out and could only get the temp up to 207 and left them in for 1.5 hours.  If that was the last stage it may have been a bit too long and more or less firmed them up a bit too much after the foil stage.

The last stage is just supposed to make them less "mushy" after steaming them in the apple juice sealed in foil.  I tend to modify the 3-2-1 times with something like 2-3-.5 with pretty good results.

Give it another try next weekend and tell us how it went.  There will probably be others with different ideas on making them tender dropping by later.

[TedEbear]

also how do you add pictures?

Posting pictures on the Bradley Smoker Forum

[dman4505]

no pics ... didn't happen

just kidding, not sure why that happened one of the resident experts will be around to help.
glad to hear they tasted good.
Could have been that extra half hour at the end, but don't quote me on it.

Don

[Stickbowcrafter]

With regard to the wind, if you can't find a less windy location for your smoker, you might want to build something to block the wind for it. Do a search here, I've seen some great, inexpensive designs.

-Brian

[mathew2172]

[mikecorn.1]

Mmmmmmm. Those do look good.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[TedEbear]

From the pic my guess is that the last stage of the 3-2-1 process lasted a bit too long.  They look done (meat pulled back from the bone) but a little dried out.  You didn't cook them in that pan the entire time, did you?

[SiFumar]

Not bad for a first!

[mathew2172]

I didnt use a pan, after i unwrapped form the foil i just set them back on the racks. I got another round going in this weekend. Gonna change it up a bit. IM gonna try Dr pepper in the water bowl and have some Bad Byrons Butt Rub coming also!

[muebe]

Matthew how are you taking cabinet temps? Are you using a wired/wireless thermometer like a maverick? If so where is the probe located?

If you are using the door gauge then you may have been cooking them too hot. The door gauge will be reading much lower than the lower part of the cabinet when loaded.

The ribs appear to be done in the picture but I agree they look a tad dry. May have cooked a bit too long.

[mathew2172]

I have the digital model and am using what the display says on it. I havent got a thermometer yet

[KyNola]

Those ribs look good.  One thing that may have caused the leathery coating on the outside is the vinegar mixture you sprayed on them.  Vinegar can have a tendency to tighten up the meat surface.

[dman4505]

Those sure look mighty tastey to me, congrats.
Keep smoking you'll find a system that works just right for ya.
You'll learn that most times even the mistakes taste pretty darn good.

Don