Ribs were not as tender as they should be

[branstone]

I smoked pork ribs over the weekend, but they were not as tender as i though they should be ( falling off the bone ). I think i let the fire get to hot? tried to keep it at 250 but it got over 300 a few times in the first few hours

advice? should have cooked them longer ?

i just used dry rub with pan of apple juice underneath, then after 4 hours paint on sauce and wrap in foil for another hour.

 

[lwlittle]

I had this happen to me once on my Pit Barrel Smoker - cooked too fast because I didn't have the lid down tight so the temps went up. I suspect your ribs did the same.

 

[pc farmer]

5 hours might not have been long enough. Some ribs are stubborn.

Where they probe tender? Need to take a toothpick and test them.

 

[SmokinAl]

Sounds like they weren't cooked long enough.
It really doesn't matter what your pit temp is when you smoke ribs.
Anything between 225-300 will work just fine.
For FOTB ribs you are looking for a final meat temp of 200-205.
Foiling the ribs with some liquid will speed up the process.
Al

 

[sauced]

Yes, it's all about the internal temp. Fall off the bone ribs need to be at 205 degrees internal.

 

[jond36]

It slips under the radar of most, but remember that previous frozen ribs take even longer to tenderize. Everyone is different, but I personally believe unless you are competing, no foil. Let em ride.

 

[branstone]

thanks i , agree, i didn't let them cook long enough, and maybe slow enough, will have to try again,

 

[801driver]

"Have to try again?" Darn it, don't you hate it when that happens? Ha Ha.

I agree on most likely too short of a cook time, an instant read probe usually works well. I just did a slab of pork ribs last weekend and they took over 6 hours smoking at 225' to get to 205. I usually do not foil most of the time unless the outside humidity is very low.

You just have to continue practicing. Enjoy and remember, the dogs will always eat your mistakes.