Wrapping rib question

[CDN Smoker]

When you foil your ribs are you making tight folds to make a tight seal?

Only reason I'm asking is because I can't make big boy ribs yet

Many Thanks

[smokendevo]

When you foil your ribs are you making tight folds to make a tight seal?

Only reason I'm asking is because I can't make big boy ribs yet

Many Thanks

I'm no expert here but when i do they are sealed pretty good. I don't want the steam or juices to run out. I don't do many ribs but the ones I have done turned out pretty good.

[smokendevo]

Criss tenpoint5 has a good post over on the bradley site for ribs. This is what I follow and they turn out perfect. Hope you don't mind me posting this Criss

Since we have quite a few new folks here on the forum and it seems that everyone wants to do Ribs or Chicken for their first smoke. I thought I would try to help out with a pictorial of how I make my ribs.

How To Make Ribs in a Bradley

First let me begin by saying that making ribs is like combing your hair. EVERYBODY does it different!! This pictorial is of how I make ribs in the Bradley Smoker. It is ment to be a guideline for you to follow and make adjustments when and where you deem necessary in order to make your ribs YOURS.

I am using Pork Spare ribs in this pictorial, I also found some Boneless Pork Loin Ribs that needed some loving as well.

Once you have your ribs out of the package and drained.



You will want to remove the membrane on the inside of the ribs. This can be done by sliding the handle of a spoon under the membrane to loosen it up and get it started.



Once you have the membrane started. Grab a hold of it and pull firmly and gently. Until you have the membrane removed. If it breaks just start again until you have it removed.



Now that you have the membrane removed it is time to apply your rub. Apply your rub to both sides of the ribs. I personally like a heavy even coating.





Cover your ribs with plastic wrap and place in the fridge to marinate either overnight or for 3-4 hours.



After the ribs have marinated bring them up to room temp. This will help lessen the temperature drop when you put them in the Bradley, and speeding up the heat recovery from when you opened the door, and put the ribs in.



Some Boneless Pork loin Ribs



Once your Bradley has come up to temperature (I like 225*) and the smoke has started to roll.  Put the ribs in the smoker.



I apply 3 hours of Hickory, You can use the Flavor of your choice. After 3 hours of smoke Shut off Smoke Generator. Wrap your ribs in foil with a splash of Apple Juice, My Favorite is Apple Raspberry.



Return the rib packets to the smoker for 1 or 2 hours (1 Baby Backs, 2 Spares) After the ribs have spent their time in the foil wrap. Remove them from the smoker and remove from the foil. Your ribs are just about done. Might even look done, but there is one more step. You have to sauce them.





After Putting the Sauce on the ribs place them back in the Bradley for 1 hour. The ribs will stiffen back up and the sauce will set. The meat should tell you when it is ready, The meat will pull back from the bone, as you can see in the picture. The bigger half of the slab didn’t pull back because it sprung a leak while in the foil.



Your ribs are now Ready to cut up and enjoy!!

[spuds]

Absolute artwork.

[Jaxon]

I'm just a backyard jack, but I like to spritz the ribs about every 30 minutes or so.  I use a mixture of 2/3 apple juice to 1/3 grenadine (sweet, red, thickened syrup).  It gives the ribs a sweeter taste and the grenadine caramelizes a bit to a nice smooth glaze.  My neighbor who cooks in comps like to use this spritz...even sprays it onto his coals as he cooks.

just sayin'...

[teesquare]

Let's start with 2 different outcomes:

Restaurant style ribs - some people like super tender..."fall -off - the - bone" ribs. These can be achieved a few different ways - but let's stick to wrap/no wrap at this time. When you wrap the ribs - you are trapping moisture. But - you are also preventing the bark from forming as well. You can make up some for the lack of bark by un-wrapping - and finishing them on a grill at higher heat...but the bark will not be completely developed. Again - this is not a right vs wrong - it is really whichever you prefer.

Like Jaxon's comment - I prefer to spritz/spray - or mop. There are a number of good formulas for this.( Pick one you like the sound of when you read the ingredients- I like the sound of Jaxon's recipe...)
By not wrapping ribs, it is more likely that you will develop a bark that has bit more depth, surface char, and a "bite" or slight crunch to it. As well - the meat can be done more to an "al dente" firmness  a little easier. Still moist - but not fall off the bone tender.....

Now - to confuse the issue completely - either method can yield great ribs - and either method - depending on time and temperature can give you more firm al dente ribs - or the fall off the bone ribs. But - it is easier to create fall off the bone ribs if you wrap.

Now...where is Sparky when we need a rib specialist....?

[smokendevo]

Last i read he was leaning to tenpoint5s way of thinking

[sparky]

howdy.  i use two layers of alum when i wrap my ribs.   butter, honey and brown sugar is what i use.  then i put them back meat side down.  so all the goodness is next to the meat.  2 hours naked, 1 hour wrapped and 30 - 45 minutes unwrapped w/ the juice from the foil poured back on the ribs meat side up.  yummy stuff.  i've been cooking my ribs big boy style for the last six months or so.  i like um that way w/ some sauce on top or cut them up and them drizzle the sauce on them.  what was the question again?   

[spuds]

With all this advice Im looking forward to being a rib chef,thank you all.

[teesquare]

howdy.  i use two layers of alum when i wrap my ribs.   butter, honey and brown sugar is what i use.  then i put them back meat side down.  so all the goodness is next to the meat.  2 hours naked, 1 hour wrapped and 30 - 45 minutes unwrapped w/ the juice from the foil poured back on the ribs meat side up.  yummy stuff.  i've been cooking my ribs big boy style for the last six months or so.  i like um that way w/ some sauce on top or cut them up and them drizzle the sauce on them.  what was the question again?   

And...there it is!

[sliding_billy]

I prefer not to wrap, but when I do I use heavy duty foil wrapped tight with brown sugar and apple cider.

[africanmeat]

Thanks to our experts  for this great info .

[CDN Smoker]

Lots of great replies, thanks again.

If the weather holds I think ribs this weekend

[ACW3]

Good luck on the cook.  We will all be waiting for your pictures.

Art

[squirtthecat]

What they said!

At our BBQ Shop (shack..   ), we pile them 6 at a time in full sized foil pans, then cover tight with foil for an hour-ish ride in the smoker.

I do 18 rack batches, so that would require a lot of foil to wrap them individually.