Hickory ribs look burnt

Hi, I prefer to cook my ribs to 180 F* internal temp ... 250 F* seems kinda high if thats internal temp. You can use the smoker temp as a guide but I like using the meat internal temp.



<edit orig post after rereading op posting>

that's 250degrees in the smoker but not in the ribs. I set it at 225 but it seems to go a little hotter. I'm going to try setting my temp to 200 and see where it leads me. I hate to throw out another 9 slabs of ribs. Does anyone know the best thing to do with the overcooked ribs? Suggestions.

I'll try to triage, let me ask some questions.

Until you solve this, why cook 9 ribs. Do one and do some testing. More won't really change the cooking profile in a 260.

So, are you saying that this rub, wood, time and temp was perfect when you did it before OR is this a first attempt?

You say you verified the temp, was it with an tested thermometer (not the display)? The temp will always overshoot some, what you should look for is the "average" temp. You could also set the temp, turn it on and only put the ribs in a hot smoker that has settled down to temp. Or is it always higher then the temp you set?

Did it taste burnt?

Could be creosote? Could be burnt rub?

Fall apart says overcooked.

3 hours won't be done unless it's not the temp you set OR they were really really small ribs. I've never had spares finish in 3 hours unless I was cooking small ribs at 275 or higher.

What rub did you use?

I've been smoking with te SC260 for 3 years and never had this happen. I used a thested thermometer inside the smoker which gave me just about the same reading as the display on the IQ display.
Did it taste burnt? I thought so but it had darker bark and the skin was cracking. Almost couldn't take the ribs out without it falling apart.

I've been using my homemade rub for years with no problem. Before one of the heating coils broke it was fine and the ribs were lighter color and more firm. After change the coil ribs got darker and falling apart. The brisket and pulled pork are still perfect. Just the ribs.

Did I put the wires wrong when replacing the coil? Also I haven't taken any crust off in my smoker since I got it. Am I wrong or should I take that crusty char off the inside walls?

Does the new coil have a larger wattage than the one replaced?

Call CS and they'll help trouble shoot.

IF the temp is the same it was before, it shouldn't matter, but having cooked that much, it sounds as if that's the only change, it's the culprit.

Tony or Bill are great to work with.

Why don't you try washing the ribs off just a little bit, if the rub is really burnt. Then use them chopped up in something like chili or if you add some sauce make a sandwich out of the chopped up meat. The sauce would mask some of the burnt taste if it doesn't all wash off. Just another kind of chopped pork sammi.

Thanks Vicki. Good suggestion. I'll try it. I always wanted to try making chili.

I don't really know if the wattage is higher than the one I replaced. I just told Cookshack and they sent me the replacement. It was the same size so I think it's the right one.

Have you ever cleaned the internal temp sensor?

O.k., so I made 9 more slabs at 215 on the IQ for 2 1/2 hours. They are perfect in color and texture. I know it's not the 3 to 3 1/2 hours I would like to smoke them at but they aren't burnt. Still juicy and has the bend. Did the toothpick test and they weren't like butter but close. I can live with this. Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

HI Cal. Funny thing I noticed it was crusted over before the heating coil broke. It's the round probe about the size of a pencil isn't it? I cleaned it and then the coil broke. I guess don't fix it if it ain't broken. Thanks for the suggestion.