Baby Back - Couple of questions

[illini40]

Good morning,

I've three racks of baby backs thawing out for tomorrow.

I've been reading posts, and want to confirm a few things:

1) I have checked out Al's method for ribs and understand it's about IT. I'm going for a bit closer for FOTB. Should I be targeting closer to 200* IT?

2) If going for closer to 200* IT, around 225* and part of the cook in foil, should I be planning for roughly around 6 hours?

3) Meat side or bone side faced down in the foil, into butter and brown sugar?

 

[petehalsted]

Meat side down in foil.

Easiest way to get FOTB is adding time in the foil. I don't remember what Al's temps were for each stage but would say adjust the temp up for when you remove from the foil will get you there.

BB, should be done closer to 4 /12 - 5 hours than 6.

 

[gmc2003]

1) 200* is about right. Remember, depending on your therm it can be tough getting an accurate reading.

2) I don't smoke at 225* so I can't help there, but I would say your pretty close.

3) Meat side down in the foil and increase your foil time for FOTB ribs.

Chris

 

[RiversideSm0ker]

All of the previous advice is spot on. When I foil mine I put a small amount of apple juice in the bottom of the foil along with the butter and brown sugar. My ribs are as close as I want them to be to FOTB. I prefer a small amount of chew to my ribs but my wife likes them super tender. I agree that if you want more tenderness just go a bit longer in the foil. Maybe 2 1/2 hours instead of 2.

George

 

[SmokinAl]

If your going to use my method, it doesn't really matter how long you foil them or even if you foil them at all.
However foiling will get them done much quicker, and if you decide not to foil them then I would spritz or mop them every 45 minutes or so with a mix of BBQ sauce & apple juice. For FOTB ribs you are looking at 200-205 IT. And yes it takes a little practice to get a good reading between the bones. I have found that the Thermoworks ThermoPop works very well for ribs. They are just about instant read & only cost about $30. Here is a link to them. I think Thermoworks is having a sale this weekend so you may get one cheaper.
https://www.thermoworks.com/ThermoPop
Good luck!
Al

 

[petehalsted]

FYI, Thermoworks also has a needle probe https://www.thermoworks.com/TX-1002X-NP if you have a DOT or a SMOKE that makes it easier to get a "leave in" probe in the ribs.

I actually like the needle probe better for most things, because it has a silicon wrapped wire instead of stainless, it is much easier to manage and doesn't tangle and hang on everything.

 

[illini40]

Thanks for the help everyone! Plan to get them on the Traeger around 11:30 AM tomorrow. I'll keep everyone posted.

I have a ThermoPop, so hopefully I can get some good temps.

 

[illini40]

Update: three racks of baby backs went on the Traeger around 11:30 AM.

Traeger is set at 225*.

Doing three rubs today:
1) Honey Hog (first time for me)
2) The BBQ Rub
3) Traeger Pork & Poulrty

Couple of junior pitmasters helping today.

 

[petehalsted]

With that fine crew, I am sure the ribs will be great, Bet those boys can put a hurting on a rack of ribs!

 

[RiversideSm0ker]

Six hands are better than two when wrapping ribs.

George

 

[illini40]

Two hours in. Spritzing with some apple juice.

Also have some ice cream going to toss in the freezer for dessert!

 

[illini40]

After three hours of smoke around 225*, I wrapped them.

Here is the rack with the Traeger rub before getting wrapped.

 

[SonnyE]

2) I don't smoke at 225* so I can't help there, but I would say your pretty close.

Boy I sure do! I get really steamy at 120° in the desert.
At 225°, my fanny would be on FIRE! :eek:

As you were.... ;):rolleyes:

 

[petehalsted]

Looking real good! Ribs and homemade ice cream! My wife says I am available for adoption

 

[SonnyE]

Couple of junior pitmasters helping today.

Those Pit Master Helpers are not gonna be happy if they drop hot stuff on their feet.
When I was about their age, I spilled molten lead from my solder casting kit on my bare feet in the garage.
I learned the value of having my tootsies covered around hot stuff. ;)

Otherwise, FANTASTIC DAD! Cute little dudes! Great aprons! This is the stuff of life-long memories!

 

[illini40]

Tossed some wings on also. First time trying wings on the smoker.

 

[illini40]

Looking real good! Ribs and homemade ice cream! My wife says I am available for adoption

Thanks! Sorry...three boys are plenty for us right now. Lol. You can still dine with us though.

Those Pit Master Helpers are not gonna be happy if they drop hot stuff on their feet.
When I was about their age, I spilled molten lead from my solder casting kit on my bare feet in the garage.
I learned the value of having my tootsies covered around hot stuff. ;)

Otherwise, FANTASTIC DAD! Cute little dudes! Great aprons! This is the stuff of life-long memories!

Thank you!

 

[illini40]

Ribs and wings turned out pretty darn good. Ice cream was great too!

One rack was FOTB, second rack was perfect - clean bite, and the third rack (biggest of the three) could have went longer. Two racks went a total of 6 hours and the third went 6.5 hours.

Wings went a little over an hour at 225* and then about 45 minutes at 275*.

Everyone seemed to like the Traeger rub the best out of the three. I was looking forward to trying the Honey Hog but think I needed to go a little heavier with it.

And yes, the boys enjoyed the ribs. And mostly the ice cream.

 

[RiversideSm0ker]

What an awesome spread of ribs and wings. Two thumbs up.

George

 

[mike5051]

Great job! Beautiful color on the ribs and wings!

Mike