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

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thunderdome

Master of the Pit
Original poster
Nov 19, 2009
1,034
27
Casa Grande, AZ
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

 


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
biggrin.gif
)
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
 
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
 
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.
icon_cool.gif
 
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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.
 
Last edited:
Nice post, very thorough and dsecriptive.  You got much more action on the other site.   Good pictures and original in concept!!!
 
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.
icon_cool.gif
Thanks! I should have taken a pic of the bite mark. They were just right, and not too fall off the bone'ish


 
icon_cool.gif


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)
 
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!
 
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 !!!
 
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.
 
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
 
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
 
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