baby back rib smell

I think (but no proof) that its the 10-12% salt water they add to them. All the ones I get from Walmart are smelling like that and have been for a while now. I fixed some spares yesterday and got the same smell when I opened the package.

Bob

As long as the smell goes away in couple of mins,you are usually ok.

I don't experience this with Sam's loinbacks or spares.

Sam's pork should not have been injected.

Their chicken is,though.

ninetyproof,
i have noticed the same thing and an even more pronounced smell on cyro chicken..but like you have noticed it does not affect the flavor.
beef will give you an even higher smell when you open large cyros.
the danger sign that you want to look for is is the meat slick or tacky feeling? either way if you get those feels ditch the meat. and when you feel them you will know it. very odd sensation.
hope this helps some
i sure wish i had a dollar for every pound of cyro meat that i have opened over the past 15 years. if i did i would have the only bbq rig in the mountains of belize
jack

I noticed the same smell when I bought some from CostCo's (just like BJ's). I thought they were bad or very close. I threw them in the smoker, as my forst smoke in the Smokin-Tex, wasn't happy with my first attempts with ribs. I haven't bought any since because of this. All my butts and briskets always turn out great. I may have to try ribs again.

The ribs turned out real good. Nobody has gotten sick yet so I guess the smell is harmless. But it sure isn't very appealing to open a package and smell it.

Hey Ninety,

Ray's forum have also had discussions on this and after a few minutes it clears up, its from the solution and yes it is not an appetizing smell.

Just let it air out and if the missus discovers the odor, just blame it on the dog.

Take care,
Preston D

You nailed that one Preston. The first time it happened I DID think it was the dog!

On pork ribs and butts you can clean them really well by washing (rinsing them) in a soulution of 50% white vinegar and 50% water. I cleans off all the gunk like excess bone marrow,fat, odors and other stuff that got on the meat during the packing. I rinse them in that solution, then follow with a clean water rinse, and pat them dry. Then I start with whatever pre-cooking prep that I am going to use. I havent used it on beef, but it works REALLY well on any pork
HypnoChuck