First Time Smoking Ribs Without Foil

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disco

Epic Pitmaster
Original poster
OTBS Member
SMF Premier Member
Oct 31, 2012
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Canadian Rockies

She Who Must Be Obeyed wanted spareribs. She threw a frozen rack on the counter first thing in the morning. You intrepid hero took things in hand and put the ribs on a heavy pot that has been turned over. This is a quick way to defrost items as the pot is an excellent conductor of heat and has a large surface area.

I usually do my ribs by cooking them for 2 hours in the smoker, wrapped in foil for 2 hours and then brushing with sauce for the last hour. However, research here showed that some smokers I respect don't foil their ribs and cook them through in the smoker. I decided to give this a try.

Once the ribs were thawed, I dried them off with a paper towel and removed the silver skin from the back. I rubbed in some of my Chumpionship Rub.

This is the first time I used the rub on ribs. It had worked well on pulled pork but was too salty for ribs. I will make it with half the salt for ribs.

Then I put the ribs in a 230 F smoker over maple smoke for 5 hours.


After 5 hours, I took the ribs out and painted on my Passing Wind Estates Barbecue Sauce. Into a 230 F oven for 15 minutes and another light brushing of sauce. I gave it 3 more 15 minute periods in the oven with brushing of sauce after each 15 minutes. Then, I cut them up and served.






The Verdict

The meat isn't as fall off the bone as it is with foiling. It pulls from the bone easily but has a nice chew. I definitely prefer the texture without foiling. Fortunately, She Who Must Be Obeyed likes it better too. If I cut back on the salt in the rub, it will be perfect!

Disco
 
Looks Real Good From My House, Disco!!!
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You can make 'em for me like that any time!!

Bear
 
Looks great Disco.  I too dont foil ribs.     
 
Looks real good there Disco.....I do both ways depending on mood but have pretty much avoided the foiling now unless doing a Johnny Trigg imitation with the Tiger Sauce & Parkay. I do recall one poster mentioning foiling with juice & sauce but leaving the foil open at the top allowing steam to escape so you are not braising the ribs. Might be worth a future try....Willie
 
 
Looks great Disco.  I too dont foil ribs.     
Thanks, Adam. One of the best things about this site is the variety of methods to try. It is fun to keep trying different techniques. One of the worst things about this site is the variety of methods to try. I will never get through them all.
Looks real good there Disco.....I do both ways depending on mood but have pretty much avoided the foiling now unless doing a Johnny Trigg imitation with the Tiger Sauce & Parkay. I do recall one poster mentioning foiling with juice & sauce but leaving the foil open at the top allowing steam to escape so you are not braising the ribs. Might be worth a future try....Willie
Thanks, Chef. I can see why people would foil. Some like fall off the bone. It is more a matter of preference than one over the other. However, I like the idea of some juice or sauce in open foil. Just one more on the over growing list of things to try!

Disco
 
 
Those look great Disco! 
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  If you ever make it down anywhere near my area we will have to get together 
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   Nice smoke man - it's always good when you find a new way to do something that you like even better 
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Thanks! I would love to get together here or there! However, being seen with me would ruin your reputation and help mine.
 
I have to agree they look awesome. Not sure I could do that around here as my one to obey likes them fall off the bone.
Thanks, Dockman. Just so you know, my wife liked fall off the bone too. However, she had not tried this style which I describe as pull of the bone. They are not tough and chewy as some grilled ribs are and that she did not like. Now that she has tried them this way, she prefers them over fall off the bone. 

That being said, there are a large number of people who are fall off the bone lovers and who am I to call them wrong. Also, not making food the way your wife likes it is unwise, unsafe, and undeniably  erroneous.

Maybe do one rack unfoiled the next time you do multiple racks. Or, even better, talk a friend into doing unfoiled and invite you over! I love eating other peoples' Q!

Disco
 
Looks great Disco! I too have experimented and enjoy foiled and unfoiled. Depends on my mood, how much time I have, etc. I second the idea to try two racks, one each way and see which you prefer. Damn, now I want ribs... Damn you!!! Haha
 
Looks awesome Disco !!! Love the ribbies, dang !! I for what it's worth have never foiled and just put Q sauce on the side for the saucin folks !! I prefer dry rub ribs, no sauce.... After trying different ways with or without sauce....But that's what makes it fun is to try new things to find new likens'.... Great lookin smoke ! Thumbs Up

Justin
 
Very nice Disco! Those look incredible! As always, very nicely done Sir...
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Red
Thanks, Red. 
Looks great Disco! I too have experimented and enjoy foiled and unfoiled. Depends on my mood, how much time I have, etc. I second the idea to try two racks, one each way and see which you prefer. Damn, now I want ribs... Damn you!!! Haha
Thanks. Think beer. Cold, sparkling beer. Just working on making you thirsty too!
 
Looks awesome Disco !!! Love the ribbies, dang !! I for what it's worth have never foiled and just put Q sauce on the side for the saucin folks !! I prefer dry rub ribs, no sauce.... After trying different ways with or without sauce....But that's what makes it fun is to try new things to find new likens'.... Great lookin smoke !
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Justin
Thanks! I do love dry ribs too but She Who Must Be Obeyed likes wet so I tend to go that way. However, she is kind to me and let's me experiment. 
 
There is no wrong way. There is only the way you are enjoying today.

Sometimes you feel like a nut, some times you don't!

Great looking ribs my friend. SWMBO'd can't complain about the groceries!
Thanks, Kevin. It is not the groceries she complains about!

Disco
 
Disco:   well played, and very nicely done.  The ribs look great.  I have always been a dry rub, no foil, no sauce kind of guy.  But I have been thinking about trying the foil method soon just for the experimental experience.  I agree that there are way too many methods out there, but it's great to keep trying something new.  
 
First Time? Well good for you. I have tried both, and go nekkid now. Less mess and if done correctly better texture without much loss of moisture. 

Next time you try this do the thicker end of the spare rib, and you can get them very juicy over around 6 hours.

Keep up the good Q and thread posting, I enjoy seeing both.

Thanks,

Carlos
 
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