Newbie seeking best plan for ribs in MES

[coffeemac]

My first try at baby backs was at 225* unwrapped. It seemed to take an exceedingly long time (over 8 hours) to get anything close to a clean bone. What do you guys recommend? Higher heat? Wrap? What is the best plan for the MES? Thanks!

 

[b-one]

Are you using a grate level thermometer for your temp. Most gauges that come on smokers are off by quite a bit.

 

[coffeemac]

Never checked with a thermometer - Just went with digital setting and worked on my honey-do list between chip feeding times.

 

[crazymoon]

Try a 2-2-1 method at 225*  and you should check your heat w/ an independent thermometer

 

[oldschoolbbq]

A dual probe therm. works well ...

 

[coffeemac]

Thanks for the help! I'll have a better plan next time using the advice and after going through some old threads.

 

[dave from mesa]

You really need a thermometer. My MES controller reads 25 deg higher than actual temp. I don't foil. Tried it and was too messy but others use do it and like it.

Good luck next time.

 

[coffeemac]

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• coffeemac
• Dec 27, 2014

2nd try much better!!!

 

[dave from mesa]

Good to hear.

 

[sarnott]

I have the same offset as Dave, my MES 30 is normally 25 degrees higher than true. Notice I said "normally", its not always the same and occasionally its very close so, in IMO a grate thermometer is a good thing but a dual probe (one in the meat and one for the smoker temp) is the best way to go ! I have had a Maverick ET-732 fro quite a while but recently had to replace it so I bought an ET-733. Its got a longer range and many more options but its a tougher learning curve, at least for me. 

Scott

Hampton, VA