Ribs...mmmMMMmm Good!!!

   Most people love ribs. Half of those people seem to think that boiling them is the best way to do them. Sure, it gets them cooked properly, and in some circles might be accepted. Then again, when someone tells me that they boil their ribs, I tell them I am sorry they didn't have 6 hours to dedicate to producing a quality slab of ribs. That's right folks, six hours. Six, that's it! Yes, I am going to tell you how to do it.

   I prefer to buy my ribs St Louis style ( that is the cut ). I like everything to look nice and even and not so...well, let's just say, it is easier to eat them trimmed up. Some places will have already trimmed the silver off the back of the ribs, some places do not.

   Most people probably do not trim the silver off of their ribs. In competition it can hurt you, it is not the most pleasant thing to bite into. I keep it on for one reason, if cooked correctly, it will help hold the moisture in your ribs. How is that you ask, if the silver is placed down onto the cooking grate, it keeps the essential moisture from dripping right out of the meat and holds it in a little bit more. So basically, the choice is all up to you.


   Now, get your smoker going and up to temperature. Select the wood you are going to use, and have it ready. Break the meat out and grab that bottle of yellow mustard that we talked about earlier. This is important stuff I tell you!! Get it all covered with mustard. After that, get out your favorite rib rub. I have one that I really enjoy and provides and excellent taste. Let this set for about 20 minutes to get the mustard and the rub merged together, then sprinkle some more rub all over just to make sure.


   Head out to the smoker. If you left the silver on your ribs, place that side down.  Now here is the kicker, and these guidelines need to be followed very closely. Let them smoker for 3 hours. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT mess with them. Only open that smoker if you need to add fuel, otherwise you will ruin this whole process. ( not really, but you get what I am saying).

   After your 3 hours is up, take the ribs out, and wrap them securely in aluminum foil, and place them back into the smoker for two hours. I repeat TWO HOURS!! haha! After the two hours is complete, pull them out, wrap them in some towels and place them in an empty cooler for one hour. Trust me, just do it.


   Grab some beers, get the potato salad made and the baked beans out, the ribs are about done!!! Once your last hour is complete, remove the ribs, and serve! You will thank me. Enjoy!!



I hope everyone enjoys my BBQ posts, as I enjoy sharing them with folks.