Help... smoking newbie

Congrats on the new smoker! I personally do them both ways with and without water in the pan. As far as the foil goes its a preferance. I have done them with or without. For baby backs a lot of folks use this template 2 2 1 meaning 2 hrs smoke 2hrs in foil and 1hr no foil back in smoker. For spares they use 3 2 1. In my MES I cook them at 235. Hope that helps.

Dad welcome to SMF.... If you would be kind enough and swing by Role Call and introduce yourself and add your location. This way we can tune our help to your spacific location....

Check out the 3-2-1 method for ribs. In short 3 hrs in smoke, 2 hrs wrapped and 1 hr to set a glaze..... Times will vary slightly, but a great guideline....

If you choose to use the water pan it will help keep them moist, however ther will be very little bark on them.

I do not add water to the one we use at work. I just put foil in the pan and no water. Others use playground sand or other heat resistant items for a heat sync in theirs....

Open the smoker as little as possible. If your looking your not cooking. It will also add time to your cook......

This is the rub I use. It is a dry rub as well and has a high sugar content. The wife does not like a lot of salt and she likes this one.....

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/127046/jarjar-pork-rub-recipe

 Dad,  The way I smoke ribs is I use the 3-2-1 method for home and the 2- 2 1/2- 1 1/2  at competitions.  When time to foil I like to use brown sugar, honey, and tiger sauce on it.  When time to place back on the grill I put pepper jelly and apple jelly on them and grill them for the remainder of the time.   You know they are done when you place a tong half way down the rack and pick up.  When you see them pull apart slightly they are done.  I hope this helps.

dadcawley said:

awesome, thanks!  I'm using a dry rub and  just don't want my ribs drying out.

 

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You have come to THE best forum out there for learning, I can attest to that. I have an MES 40. I have done 4 boston butts, 1 chicken and 5lbs of venison snack sticks. I have yet to use water and EVERYTHING has been moist and succulent. There are so many threads on to use or not to use water and I personally have not had the need to do so. I am smoking for boston butts tomorrow night in preparation for an Eagle Scout Court of Honor Saturday late morning and I do not plan to use any water. If you have not looked to the right at the ad dor the amazen smoker YOU have got to get one. I bought the kit 5x8 AMNPS with all the other things that come with it and it is awesome. Todd is awesome too...The best customer service! The smoking unit in the MES to be frank, sucks, it doesn't smoke!!!! ( isn't that the object of a smoker, to smoke).

The recommendations on 3-2-1 and 2-2-1 are perfect instructions by all and they haven't failed me. As one of the guys mentioned, DO NOT open her up, you'll extend that time by hours each time....

:welcome1:


Tony