How important is it to rub ribs the night before?

Mlesser,

Depending on what's in your rub...it's sometimes a lot better to rub just prior to or a couple hours before smoking the ribs. If your rub has a high salt content, rubbing and letting them sit overnight can cause the ribs to be "hammy".

I'd rub a couple hours before and let'er rip.

Take care,
C'Nooga

Oh, make sure you take the membrane off the ribs...it'll let the rub/smoke get into the meat better.

Importance is subjective, to you.

Sorry it's not an answer, but it depends on what the rub is, how you smoke your ribs and if you like the results. What you want is repeatability of your own success.

Have you done it both ways? Notice a difference.

Same goes for a mustard slather. Some swear by it, others don't.

For me, I don't rub my ribs more than 1 hour ahead. I have a rub with some salt in it and any salt on pork overnight tends to change how I like mine.

Others LOVE theirs done overnight.

I'd say do both. Do one rack overnight, one rack the hour before and see if there is a difference. Usually on the overnight, you'll need to add more rub on before you put them in as the rub tends to moisten up a lot.

I agree with Smokin',as usual.

One other thing to be aware of is that many grocery store ribs may be salt water injected,which can cause them to start out a little "hammy".

Adding salt the night before, could just compound the problem.

Like Smokin' says,as long as you get them rubbed, for the time you are setting up the cooker,etc.,you'll be ok.

Rub? What rub!

Last time I did spares all I added was salt & pepper, smeared a light coat of homemade sauce on them at the end of my smoke and got rants & raves, ooohhh's & aaahhh's. I usually do rub tho.

Point is, it's all subjective, agreeing with Smoking & Tom.

Have fun, experiment and enjoy!

Thanks for the help.

I just added the rub and put in the smoker and turned out pretty good

Thanks,

Mica