The Great Rib Rub Contest Vol. 1 + ABT's QView

[thunderdome]

After being on these forums for awhile, and watching anything I can to do w/ competition BBQ, I decided to try a couple notable rubs that I’ve seen or heard good things about.  There is a BBQ Island not too far from home, so over the past month I’ve picked up a couple different rubs I wanted to put to the test.

This lead to my first rib rub-off at home. I had 2 racks of spares from Sams that were perfect for my own little taste testing.

The 2 contestants this week are Plowboys BBQ Yardbird Rub VS. Three Little Pigs BBQ Rub Kansas City Sweet. Here’s the pics

Oh, did I mention that I made some ABT’s too?

Meat: Spare Ribs – Trimmed St. Louis style

Rub: 1-Plowyboys BBQ Yardbird, (2) Three Little Pigs BBQ Rub Kansas City Sweet

Smoker: UDS

Fuel: Kingsford Comp/Mesquite Lump/Peach Chunks

Temp: 245

Time: Approx 5.5 hours (3-1:40-30 method)

Spritz: Apple Juice and Peach Jumex every half hour

 

The St. Louis style spares ready to compete

http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...es and ABTs/?action=view&current=IMG_3798.jpg​

 

This weeks 2 contestants
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...es and ABTs/?action=view&current=IMG_3799.jpg
 

Rubbed down. They set at almost the exact same time, with nearly the exact same level of sugar it looks like
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...es and ABTs/?action=view&current=IMG_3801.jpg
 

Three Little Pigs (B) and Plowboys (F)
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...es and ABTs/?action=view&current=IMG_3804.jpg
 

Notice how close they are in color, down to the amount of pepper used in each rub
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...es and ABTs/?action=view&current=IMG_3806.jpg

http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...es and ABTs/?action=view&current=IMG_3807.jpg

http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...es and ABTs/?action=view&current=IMG_3808.jpg

Mid-Cook storm. Luckily didnt effect the UDS (German Engineering

)
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...es and ABTs/?action=view&current=IMG_3809.jpg
 

Foil is ready @ the 3 hour mark. No liquid added for these
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...es and ABTs/?action=view&current=IMG_3810.jpg
 

Back on
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...es and ABTs/?action=view&current=IMG_3813.jpg
 

Here is my ultra top secret ABT mixture...
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...es and ABTs/?action=view&current=IMG_3816.jpg
 

Rolled up and on the drum
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...es and ABTs/?action=view&current=IMG_3819.jpg
 

Out of foil and ready for judging
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...es and ABTs/?action=view&current=IMG_3830.jpg
 

These ABT's took on A LOT of smoke
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...es and ABTs/?action=view&current=IMG_3833.jpg
 

Not a whole lot of difference in appearance when done. The Kansas City Sweet was a tad bit darker
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...es and ABTs/?action=view&current=IMG_3838.jpg
 

Both racks took in a nice amount of smoke. I really like the peach wood chunks
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...es and ABTs/?action=view&current=IMG_3842.jpg
 

Plowboys Close up
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...es and ABTs/?action=view&current=IMG_3847.jpg
 

Three Little Pigs Close Up
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...es and ABTs/?action=view&current=IMG_3848.jpg
​

JUDGES DECSION
Plowboys Yarbird BBQ Rub

This was a very tough decision. If blindfolded, I dont know that I could tell you the difference. The only reason Plowboys took the win was becasue I could taste a bit more pepper, which the Kansas City Sweet sort of lacked (personal preference). / message sig

 

[thunderdome]

Bump

 

[scarbelly]

Great post man - I was watching this over on the other site we belong to and see much more action - love that you are taking the time to do the comparison and post it 

Thumbs up

 

[meateater]

Everything looks great. The ABT's look like they took on a bunch of smoke and not greasy! The ribs look like they have a good pull. I just wish for internet smell o vision.

 

[mballi3011]

Well your ribs look great and the winner is always hard to choose. Now if you have a change to try the Gates sweet rub I got some in an exchange and it was really good to. Now isn't that the way things go I like a rub I can't get my hands on.

 

[timrenner]

What an awesome post! Thanks for sharing!

 

[craiger]

Nice post, very thorough and dsecriptive.  You got much more action on the other site.   Good pictures and original in concept!!!

 

[thunderdome]

Great post man - I was watching this over on the other site we belong to and see much more action - love that you are taking the time to do the comparison and post it 

Thumbs up

Thanks Scarbelly. Yeah, I noticed that too. Sort of humbling to have to bump your own thread a day after posting it

 

Everything looks great. The ABT's look like they took on a bunch of smoke and not greasy! The ribs look like they have a good pull. I just wish for internet smell o vision.

Thanks! I should have taken a pic of the bite mark. They were just right, and not too fall off the bone'ish


 

Well your ribs look great and the winner is always hard to choose. Now if you have a change to try the Gates sweet rub I got some in an exchange and it was really good to. Now isn't that the way things go I like a rub I can't get my hands on.

Thanks Mark, Now I'm gonna have to find some Gates!

 

What an awesome post! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks, I enjoyed it

 

Nice post, very thorough and dsecriptive.  You got much more action on the other site.   Good pictures and original in concept!!!

Thanks Craiger, i dont think this new forum loads active threads the same as it used to (or as a default)

 

[cuppedwings]

What a great post.  Very good play by play....and the qview has me a slobbering fool.  Thumbs up!!

 

[peixegato]

JUDGES DECSION
Plowboys Yarbird BBQ Rub

This was a very tough decision. If blindfolded, I dont know that I could tell you the difference. The only reason Plowboys took the win was becasue I could taste a bit more pepper, which the Kansas City Sweet sort of lacked (personal preference). / message sig

If you had tasted them blindfolded.....sounds like you have your next assignment, lol!

 

[realtorterry]

I have a quick question? The foil, I'm assuming that was brown sugar & maybe butter???

 

[mossymo]

Thunderdome

Awesome post, both racks of ribs look great and I very much enjoyed the read !!!

When are you doing a Rib Rub Volume 2?

Great rub, I've recently tried is called Mad Hunky. I highly suggest giving it a try, good stuff. If you Google it, very easy too order !!!

 

[joneser]

Great Post, Gotta love that BBQ Island. I visited Tempe last month and could have spent all day and my vacation budget in there. Good Folks there too.

 

[bmudd14474]

Thunderdome

Awesome post, both racks of ribs look great and I very much enjoyed the read !!!

When are you doing a Rib Rub Volume 2?

Great rub, I've recently tried is called Mad Hunky. I highly suggest giving it a try, good stuff. If you Google it, very easy too order !!!

I have tried Mad Hunky Rub before too. You can get it Here

 

[thunderdome]

The Mad Hunky rub will be my next contestant. I will keep you posted as to who it is goin up against

 

[Bearcarver]

Looks Great TD----Interesting thread!

Don't feel bad about bumping your own thread. For some reason, I miss a whole lot more on this new platform than I missed on the old one. Guess I'm not alone.

Bear