Smoked Beef Back Ribs (Bone In vs. Boneless)

[Smokster]

Hi Guys,

I would like to try smoking some beef back ribs this weekend however this is my first attempt at doing so.  Would you recommend smoking with the bone or boneless?

Which would you prefer and why?  As well, what is the best approach to smoke beef ribs, what tempurature , do you use an internal thermometer, typically how long to does it take (cooking time), etc?

Thank you in advance for your input.  As always, it's greatly appreciated.

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[DivotMaker]

I've never smoked beef ribs, so I'll be watching, too!  For me, though, it would have to be bone-in!  I mean, who could resist chewing those big, brontosaurus-looking ribs!  Beef ribs are great!  I've just never done them in the smoker.  Seems like every time I look at them in the store, they're kind of skinny, and not that appealing.  I'm going to have to look again this weekend!

[Three Sons BBQ]

I have never ever had any luck with beef ribs.  Any person knowing how in the world to do this... What type of ribs may be my issue... To cooking time.... That would be great info to pass along!

[Smokster]

I'm heading out to pick up some bone-in beef ribs, I have to agree with Tony that knawing the meat off the bone is part of the experience. I recall seeing a video with beef ribs using the smokin it #3 which I listed below.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wVm4p-fheSA

[DivotMaker]

Good video.  I suspected they would be about the same time as pork ribs.  Definitely going to have to try some!

[Smokster]

The beef ribs turned out great, but I have to say, they were a challenge to eat due to the large dinosaur bones. Takes us back to the caveman era. As we ate, we just pointed to our side dishes and grunted a few times and it worked quite effectively.

I didn't have time to make a rub so I used a store bought wet rub I had on hand with these ribs.  I smoked these bad boys at 230 degrees for 6 hours using 2 ounces of mesquite chunks which worked out well.  Once they are done, there was not a lot of meat, but I am more than happy to have tried them out. Pork back ribs definitely yield more meat when done.

I have posted some before and after pics below.

[DivotMaker]

Man, those look great!  Nice and pink.  Bet you felt like Fred Flintstone eating them!

[Smokster]

They did turn out great, especially for a first attempt.  I did enjoy them, half the fun was eating them, the other half was the anticipation of eating them, but that goes without saying.  I am still amazed a how efficient these units are, they make a novice look like an experience smoker... 

[jdiver]

Would you keep everything the same the next time you do Beef ribs? I was just looking at some in the grocery store yesterday. Might give them a try.

[Pork Belly]

This is my first and so far only attempt at beef ribs, http://smokinitforums.com/index.php?topic=1791.0 Those were short ribs. Your ribs look great, I am glad you left them on the bone. I believe meat cooked on the bone is always better regardless of the cut.

[Smokster]

Would you keep everything the same the next time you do Beef ribs? I was just looking at some in the grocery store yesterday. Might give them a try.

The ribs were great and I always prefer bone in for any type of ribs.  Although they turned out great, I usually put the dry rub on (with mustard) in advance, wrap and refrigerate to let it 'get happy' before smoking. For this smoke I didn't have time, I simply applied the rub and straight into the smoker.  They still were a hit.

The only issue I had was the lack of meat on these dinosaur bones after the smoke. Pork back ribs definitely yields more meat and are easier to eat.

If you haven't tried them, this it is still worth an attempt. Let us know how it turns out.

[DivotMaker]

Frustrated - I still can't find any that aren't basically "soup bones!"  All that I've seen have very little meat on them...I guess the cows are malnourished!

[WeekendWarrior]

You could buy a rib primal and have them remove the roast, but leave a lot of meat on the rib portion.

[Pork Belly]

That wouldn't be the cheapest way to buy ribs but they would be awesome.

[DivotMaker]

That wouldn't be the cheapest way to buy ribs but they would be awesome.

Agreed, Brian.  Costly, but I bet they would be great!