- Feb 5, 2018
- 7
- 0
Hello, I have been lurking for awhile and really enjoy reading this forum. This is my first post.
So, on to the point I suppose...I’m embarrassed to say, I have messed up the “fool-proof” 3-2-1 rib method. Here is my set up: new MES30, AMPS with mostly pecan pellets and a few hickory, an accurate external thermometer to verify IT of smoker and a rack of St. Louis style ribs dry rubbed only. I ran the first hour at 250*(according to my external thermo, the MES thermo read 270-275). The next 2 hours were at a verified 225* (MES read 241). I then foiled the ribs with a little water for 2 hours also at 225*. Then I unfoiled the ribs with no smoke at 225*. My intention was obviously for 1 hour but the IT of the ribs(with thermapen) was only 170* or so at 1 hour. I ended up leaving them on for 2 hours total and then pulled them because it was getting late. The IT was about 195* at that time. I thought they might be ok 195*-205*. Basically I ran 3-2-2. The ribs were pretty dry and very tough, I was bummed. Believe it or not, I’m a pretty decent cook and have had success with many a rack of ribs in the past, I’m just having trouble with the new MES I guess. I did a rack of baby backs 2-2-1 a few days ago and had a similar result. So...does anyone have any ideas of where I went wrong here? I verified my external thermo in boiling water before hand, it read exactly 212*. I had the probe located in the center of the MES, my AMPS located on the right of the lowest rack, water pan installed but no water and ribs on the left of the upper racks.
So, on to the point I suppose...I’m embarrassed to say, I have messed up the “fool-proof” 3-2-1 rib method. Here is my set up: new MES30, AMPS with mostly pecan pellets and a few hickory, an accurate external thermometer to verify IT of smoker and a rack of St. Louis style ribs dry rubbed only. I ran the first hour at 250*(according to my external thermo, the MES thermo read 270-275). The next 2 hours were at a verified 225* (MES read 241). I then foiled the ribs with a little water for 2 hours also at 225*. Then I unfoiled the ribs with no smoke at 225*. My intention was obviously for 1 hour but the IT of the ribs(with thermapen) was only 170* or so at 1 hour. I ended up leaving them on for 2 hours total and then pulled them because it was getting late. The IT was about 195* at that time. I thought they might be ok 195*-205*. Basically I ran 3-2-2. The ribs were pretty dry and very tough, I was bummed. Believe it or not, I’m a pretty decent cook and have had success with many a rack of ribs in the past, I’m just having trouble with the new MES I guess. I did a rack of baby backs 2-2-1 a few days ago and had a similar result. So...does anyone have any ideas of where I went wrong here? I verified my external thermo in boiling water before hand, it read exactly 212*. I had the probe located in the center of the MES, my AMPS located on the right of the lowest rack, water pan installed but no water and ribs on the left of the upper racks.