Cooking ribs before guests arrive

I'm not sure about the cooler method half-way through the smoke.  But, I would just begin my cook 4 hours before the guests arrive, you still have one hour of smoke after guests arrive.

I know a guy that does pretty much the sme thing for state fair comps. As long as internal temp is above 140f and stays there I don't see a problem.

i take ribs to my parents all the time i will cook for 3-4 hours (i dont wrap) and then i put them in foil and either cool them or keep warm and drive for an hour and 15 and then when i get there put on sauce and put in the oven at their house. you could do 2-2(wrap) and then keep them warm or cool them down and then throw in the oven at 275 with some sauce ( brush on a thin layer) for 30 minutes or so and that oven step will bring out the smokeyness more and set you a thin layer of sauce for your ribs. i have done this about 15-20 times easy it works!

oh btw if the sauce has honey then go 225 for 45 minutes on that sauce step

i try to use a sauce with turbinado sugar so it doesn't burn

but i use lower temps when i use sweet baby rays

Happy Smoking,

phatbac (Aaron)

trundle888 said:

Thanks guys for the responses.
Ok so how about this idea?
Smoke them for 2 hours, foil wrap them and cook to 160 or 170 IT. Take them off and cooler them while still monitoring IT and making sure it doesn't hit 140. When the time suits me, get out the cooler, unwrap and finish on the smoker (with no smoke) for the last hour till done.
Your thoughts?

Click to expand...

sounds like a plan the only thing you are forgetting is to take pictures and share them here afterwards!

Happy Smoking,

phatbac (Aaron)