Question about smoking spare ribs?

thadoc

Smoke Blower

Original poster

Oct 18, 2009

79

10

Hastings, MN

• Nov 24, 2009

• #1

I an in the middle of smoking two 5 pound pork spare ribs and after almost three hours in the smoke with a thin blue smoke the entire time the ribs dont seem to have much of a char or crust on them yet, although I just applied the mop after two hours of smoking so maybe that has something to do with it. What is everyones take on it? I want that nice crispy char look to them like I see on everyone elses ribs! Any help would be great, I'm getting ready to foil them for two more hours...

 

mr mac

Master of the Pit

SMF Premier Member

Oct 19, 2009

1,325

522

Doniphan MO

• Nov 24, 2009

• #2

Using the same 3-2-1 method I assume you are, I start with my smoker at 225* and they get good color that way. What was your starting temp? Remember, you can always finish them on a blistering hot grill to get that color following the braising step.

 

omahasmoker

Smoke Blower

Jun 12, 2009

141

12

Omaha, NE

• Nov 24, 2009

• #3

dont worry, as long as you keep your temps at 225-250 for 5 hours, it will have a nice color.

part of the color of a lot of ribs (mine included) comes from the rub you use. my rub is heavy on the brown sugar and paprika. the sugar carmelizes and turns dark brown and the paprika is a deep dark red to begin with and only turns darker as it gets smoked.

 

thadoc

Smoke Blower

Original poster

Thread starter

Oct 18, 2009

79

10

Hastings, MN

• Nov 24, 2009

• #4

I am using the 3-2-1 method, started the smoker up and held at 235 for twenty min. then I put them in to smoke for 3 hours. I have twenty five min. to go before I wrap them in foil for two hours, mopped them about an hour ago. The first image is them before I mopped them and the second is them after the mop, does this look right?

 

forluvofsmoke

Smoking Guru

OTBS Member

Aug 27, 2008

5,170

409

• Nov 24, 2009

• #5

The coloring looks just fine to me..quite nice actually...you should see some meat pulling back and showing bone tips, then your ready to foil for sure. During the brase the pull-back will come on strong.

Not sure about how your plywood smoker will hold up at hot smoking temps though...be careful. Never did a hot smoke in any wood constructed smoker, so I'm not sure about this...

The glues in the plywood could start to off-gas at that temp also...possible toxic issues, my friend.

Eric

 

thadoc

Smoke Blower

Original poster

Thread starter

Oct 18, 2009

79

10

Hastings, MN

• Nov 24, 2009

• #6

Thanks for the tips! I will be sure to keep an eye on it! I'm not sure what temps you are talking about for the hot smoking but I usually go up to around 265 or so. I have tested the smoker for 6 hours one night at a steady 295 degrees and holding, did not seem to give off any unfamilar smells! The plywood is the CDX(I think) that is layered and not the plywood chunks that are all glued together. There is another member on here that built the same type out of the same wood and seems to hold up well for him! Again thanks for the advice, much appreciated.