Freezing Ribs - Opinions Needed

[yotzee]

Usually I smoke whatever we are eating that day, but I want to make better use of keeping the smoker full.  I often buy the cryovac rib packs at Costco for big meals, and buy single racks at the local supermarket for small ones.  I'd like to make better use of the cost savings on the cryovacs as I always get nice ribs there.

Mrs. Yotzee and I were debating freezing and which way to go.  I would like to smoke all of them at once then vacuum seal and freeze portions that can be defrosted and finished on the Weber grill when we feel like ribs.   Mrs. Yotzee feels the quality will be better if we vacuum seal and freeze them raw, then defrost and smoke when we intend to use them.  Any thoughts on quality (I already know what's more convenient) from the members who vacuum seal and freeze?

 

[atomicsmoke]

I do that (cook more than we eat at one sitting) and freeze "leftovers". The thawed -warmed up version tastes reasonably well. I normally just warm them in the freezer bag (in warm water). Freezing raw is better, no argument there, but you said one of the reasons was to make good use of smoker.
And having a cooked rib available for a quick dinner comes in handy sometimes.

 

[yotzee]

I do that (cook more than we eat at one sitting) and freeze "leftovers". The thawed -warmed up version tastes reasonably well. I normally just warm them in the freezer bag (in warm water). Freezing raw is better, no argument there, but you said one of the reasons was to make good use of smoker.
And having a cooked rib available for a quick dinner comes in handy sometimes.

I'm guessing I may just have to freeze a batch of pre-smoked ones and see how it goes.

 

[smoking b]

I freeze mine raw & smoke as needed. I prefer the quality over the convenience of having them pre-cooked 

  YMMV

Please let us know how you guys like the pre-smoked ones 

 

 

[ifitsdeadsmokeit]

The ribs taste better right off the grill than the reheated ones.  I usually cook 3 slabs and freeze one afterwards.  We like to have quick meals in the freezer since a lot of times our time is limited during the week due to kid activities.  We usually just reheat in the oven in a pan lined with tinfoil....

 

[yotzee]

The more I think this through.....the more I smoke at once, the less time I get to spend smoking something (i.e. drinking beer and smoking something) later.

 

[pgsmoker64]

I regularly freeze extras when there is extra and they are still darn good after thawing and reheating. I wrap them in foil and stick Em in the oven at about 250 for about an hour or so. Not as good as fresh off the smoker but still very good!

Bill

 

[yotzee]

Thanks for the feedback, Bill!