First Ribs on my Smokette

Nice AAR. Bet you're gonna love the PB, too.

My first rib smoke in my Amerique came out awesome too. It was an effortless cook that rendered an outstanding result.

I'll be smoking lots of ribs.

Congrats Jacksmoker on your 1st BB ribs. I was also suprised on how well the CS smoked ribs, you know, the smokers were designed to be brisket cookers.

I have practiced a little with the rib smoking and man ole man, I had the neighbors at the lake this weekend saying," BEST damn ribs I have ever ate". Made me feel good,since they have been married 57 years.

Can't lie thou, I graciously gave this forum,CS, and Smokin' all the credit.

I figured it was only right since Smokin' would have gotten to share the blame all by himself, if they said the ribs sucked.(LOL)

Make sure you keep good notes on your smokes, especially the weights of the ribs. This is how we achieve consistency as a rib cook.

You did good, especially if it's a first time out.

PB is much easier than ribs.

Having the annual neighborhood cook off tomorrow. Except this year I have the secret weapon the "COOKSHACK". The neighbors will not know what hit them. This will be the first time I'm doing 5 racks. Should I allow more than 3.5 to 4 hours to cook at 225 as the contest is time sensitive. Thanks

If you're talking baby backs, then roughly 4-4.5 hrs should do it at 225*. If you're talking full spares, then it may be 6-7 hrs. In either case, run a toothpick through them. If it slides throught like butter, they're ready. If not, cook them longer. Toothpick test at 3.5 hrs and every 20 minutes or so from there.

I would shoot to get them done an hour earlier than you want them. If they get done earlier than you want them, wrap them in double heavy duty aluminum foil, wrap in a beach towel or two, and throw them into a cooler. They'll stay hot to the touch that way for a couple hours. If they take longer, they'll still be done in time, and you won't miss your target.

Good luck. Hope you win.

You gotta give us a little more info. What kind of ribs? baby backs, loin backs, trimmed spares or whole slab spares?

Any idea on weight? It will make a difference on cooking time.

When doing more than one shelf of ribs, I like to rotate the shelves at the 3-3 1/2 hr mark. Make sure you also spin them half way around when rotating shelves top to bottom.

Good luck and comps,even neighborhood, are suppose to be FUN!!!

Thanks for the advise. I came in 3rd. Lots of folks bbq'd I was the only smoked rib there. Can't wait for the next one.

Third? What beat you out?

ribs that were really sticky molasses sauce. They were good but they were cooked in an oven and second was a pomegranate chipotle sauce grilled.