The Great Rib Rub Contest VOLUME 2
Not too long ago, I made a post "the great rib rub contest Vol 1". The winner that day was the Plowyboys BBQ Yardbird Rub which edged out Three Little Pigs BBQ Rub – Kansas City Sweet. These were very similar rubs so it was a very tough decision, and if done over it could go either way.
After making the post, two forum members offered to send me a sample of their rub for the next contest.
Richtee sent me a vacuum packed sample of Mad Hunky Rub, and JustSmoke2 offered to send me his rub as well (no name for it, so I’ll call it JustSmoke2's)
The only difference from Volume 1, was that this time I made some BBQ sauce to accompany the ribs. I did not apply it, but just served it on the side.
This was the same format as last time
Meat: Spare Ribs – Trimmed St. Louis style
Rub: Mad Hunky vs. JustSmoke2
Smoker: UDS
Fuel: Kingsford Comp/Mesquite Lump/Peach Chunks
Temp: 225-255
Time: Approx 5.25 hours (3.5-1:25-30 method)
Spritz: Apple Juice (only once..see notes below)
Here are the 2 victims
These were buy one, get one free. So two full racks for $14 wasn't bad
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...B RUB VOL 2/?action=view¤t=IMG_3878.jpg
St Louis trimmed. I didnt save much of the other meat since it has been goin to waste lately
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...B RUB VOL 2/?action=view¤t=IMG_3880.jpg
Here's the sample of Mad Hunky
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...B RUB VOL 2/?action=view¤t=IMG_3883.jpg
Here is the sample of JustSmoke2's, they're similar in color, but the Mad Hunky is slightly darker.
Here they are pre-lather. I used Maple Syrup rather than mustard this time. It worked great, and i suggest others try it
JustSmoke2's after about 15 mins of setting in
Mad Hunky @ the same time. My guess at this point was that the JustSmoke2 rub had more sugar in it
JustSmoke2's after 20
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...B RUB VOL 2/?action=view¤t=IMG_3891.jpg
The Mad Hunky after 20
Here they are at the 2 hour mark. Lately I've read a lot about how spritzing isn't as effective as we all think. Slows the cooking process, adds a cold liquid to a warm meat, etc. It made sense, so I had to try this batch with a limited spritzing
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...B RUB VOL 2/?action=view¤t=IMG_3894.jpg
Close up of the JustSmoke2 rack
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...B RUB VOL 2/?action=view¤t=IMG_3895.jpg
Close up of the Hunky
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...B RUB VOL 2/?action=view¤t=IMG_3896.jpg
U of A 4-0
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...B RUB VOL 2/?action=view¤t=IMG_3897.jpg
Here' they are before cutting. Got some MEGA pullback on these. Usually I spritz towards the end so it gives it a glazed look
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...B RUB VOL 2/?action=view¤t=IMG_3898.jpg
Whipped up some sauce, which was slightly heavy on the pepper.
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...B RUB VOL 2/?action=view¤t=IMG_3899.jpg
Had some avocados from Costco...Just posted this cause I rarely can cut and peel without tearing it apart
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...B RUB VOL 2/?action=view¤t=IMG_3901.jpg
Close up of the JustSmoke2
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...B RUB VOL 2/?action=view¤t=IMG_3905.jpg
Closeup of the Mad Hunky
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...B RUB VOL 2/?action=view¤t=IMG_3907.jpg
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...B RUB VOL 2/?action=view¤t=IMG_3908.jpg
Now...for the part I'm sure you guys won't like....
Winner: TIE
This isn't a cop-out, or me not choosing which was the better rub. This time (which was different than Volume 1) it was comparing apples to apples. This one was definately apples to oranges. One rub was more of a traditional salty/sweet pork rub, and the other was a more peppery rub (similar to some texas style rubs I have), so this is where my wife and I differed in our vote.
I'd love to try Mad Hunky on a brisket, and I'd love to try JustSmoke2's on a butt. Both excellent rubs, and would be recommended to anyone by me. Thanks again for the samples to make it happen!
Not too long ago, I made a post "the great rib rub contest Vol 1". The winner that day was the Plowyboys BBQ Yardbird Rub which edged out Three Little Pigs BBQ Rub – Kansas City Sweet. These were very similar rubs so it was a very tough decision, and if done over it could go either way.
After making the post, two forum members offered to send me a sample of their rub for the next contest.
Richtee sent me a vacuum packed sample of Mad Hunky Rub, and JustSmoke2 offered to send me his rub as well (no name for it, so I’ll call it JustSmoke2's)
The only difference from Volume 1, was that this time I made some BBQ sauce to accompany the ribs. I did not apply it, but just served it on the side.
This was the same format as last time
Meat: Spare Ribs – Trimmed St. Louis style
Rub: Mad Hunky vs. JustSmoke2
Smoker: UDS
Fuel: Kingsford Comp/Mesquite Lump/Peach Chunks
Temp: 225-255
Time: Approx 5.25 hours (3.5-1:25-30 method)
Spritz: Apple Juice (only once..see notes below)
Here are the 2 victims
These were buy one, get one free. So two full racks for $14 wasn't bad
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...B RUB VOL 2/?action=view¤t=IMG_3878.jpg
St Louis trimmed. I didnt save much of the other meat since it has been goin to waste lately
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...B RUB VOL 2/?action=view¤t=IMG_3880.jpg
Here's the sample of Mad Hunky
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...B RUB VOL 2/?action=view¤t=IMG_3883.jpg
Here is the sample of JustSmoke2's, they're similar in color, but the Mad Hunky is slightly darker.
Here they are pre-lather. I used Maple Syrup rather than mustard this time. It worked great, and i suggest others try it
JustSmoke2's after about 15 mins of setting in
Mad Hunky @ the same time. My guess at this point was that the JustSmoke2 rub had more sugar in it
JustSmoke2's after 20
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...B RUB VOL 2/?action=view¤t=IMG_3891.jpg
The Mad Hunky after 20
Here they are at the 2 hour mark. Lately I've read a lot about how spritzing isn't as effective as we all think. Slows the cooking process, adds a cold liquid to a warm meat, etc. It made sense, so I had to try this batch with a limited spritzing
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...B RUB VOL 2/?action=view¤t=IMG_3894.jpg
Close up of the JustSmoke2 rack
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...B RUB VOL 2/?action=view¤t=IMG_3895.jpg
Close up of the Hunky
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...B RUB VOL 2/?action=view¤t=IMG_3896.jpg
U of A 4-0
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...B RUB VOL 2/?action=view¤t=IMG_3897.jpg
Here' they are before cutting. Got some MEGA pullback on these. Usually I spritz towards the end so it gives it a glazed look
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...B RUB VOL 2/?action=view¤t=IMG_3898.jpg
Whipped up some sauce, which was slightly heavy on the pepper.
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...B RUB VOL 2/?action=view¤t=IMG_3899.jpg
Had some avocados from Costco...Just posted this cause I rarely can cut and peel without tearing it apart
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...B RUB VOL 2/?action=view¤t=IMG_3901.jpg
Close up of the JustSmoke2
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...B RUB VOL 2/?action=view¤t=IMG_3905.jpg
Closeup of the Mad Hunky
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...B RUB VOL 2/?action=view¤t=IMG_3907.jpg
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...B RUB VOL 2/?action=view¤t=IMG_3908.jpg
Now...for the part I'm sure you guys won't like....
Winner: TIE
This isn't a cop-out, or me not choosing which was the better rub. This time (which was different than Volume 1) it was comparing apples to apples. This one was definately apples to oranges. One rub was more of a traditional salty/sweet pork rub, and the other was a more peppery rub (similar to some texas style rubs I have), so this is where my wife and I differed in our vote.
I'd love to try Mad Hunky on a brisket, and I'd love to try JustSmoke2's on a butt. Both excellent rubs, and would be recommended to anyone by me. Thanks again for the samples to make it happen!
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