So how much trouble am I in?

erda

Newbie

Original poster

Oct 14, 2011

11

10

• Dec 23, 2011

• #1

I have four racks of baby backs....about 2 1/2 in ribs. For the life of me I wasn't able to get the membrane off of the back. I ended up cutting and scrapping the crap out of them but was unable to make it happen. I used spoons paper towel and knives. How bad are the ribs going to turn out?

 

fpnmf

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

OTBS Member

Jul 19, 2010

7,283

82

Fl

• Dec 23, 2011

• #2

Easiest way to get them off is run some hot water over em.

They should be ok....but...

 

scarbelly

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OTBS Member

Jul 26, 2009

14,315

73

• Dec 23, 2011

• #3

They will be fine. Getting the membrane off just allows smoke to penetrate from the back - once the ribs are cooked it usually comes off pretty easy 

 

two-eyes-up

Smoke Blower

Feb 3, 2009

103

12

OAK ISLAND N.C.

• Dec 23, 2011

• #4

i smoked two spares last week and left the membrane on intentionally and they turned out more moist than usual and taste was the same.

charles t.

 

SmokinAl

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Jun 22, 2009

51,390

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Central Florida (Sebring)

• Dec 23, 2011

• #5

If you bought them at Costco's the membrane has already been removed. It still looks like there is one on there but it's gone.

 

erda

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Oct 14, 2011

11

10

• Dec 23, 2011

• #6

They may have been removed then. I thought that there was one on but couldn't get it off. I was just butchering the meat so I left it alone...sort-of.

I will try and get some pics posted...sorry. I am doing them for a work dinner and was in a big hurry because I got started late.

 

ellymae

Master of the Pit

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Mar 21, 2009

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Southeastern PA

• Dec 23, 2011

• #7

Yep - you will be just fine.

 

sprky

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Jun 26, 2007

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Hutchinson Kansas

• Dec 23, 2011

• #8

I have had spares that looked like the membrane was there and it wasn't . I always remove it after i wash them seams to come off easier. Another tip is get yourself a set of catfish skinning pliers, they grip it and make it easier to pull.

 

big casino

Master of the Pit

Dec 15, 2011

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Pennsylvania, North of the "Burgh"

• Dec 23, 2011

• #9

I bought 4 spare rib racks from my butcher once now and then he has them for .99 cents a lb, when I got them home I grabbed the first two that were wrapped together and I struggled with that thing for a good 30 min or so then grabbed the other fiddled with it until I gave up and said forget it, rubbed the top of them set them to the side grabbed the second package, flipped them over grabbed the membrane and it stripped right off.... I grabbed the first two and compared them and realized they had already been stripped off...LOL