First spare ribs in #3

[IRGoode]

I'm going with whole spare ribs and not cutting it down to St Louis style. I have always done 3-2-1 with these in other smokers. I am going to take what most folks are saying on this forum as gospel and try the no peek method. One reason I decided to try this method first is because I plan to be deer hunting tomorrow afternoon and it would really be nice to just put them in the SI, go hunting, and come home and eat. So here is the plan. 235 for 5 hours with 2.5 oz hickory 1 oz Apple. I seasoned it a while ago and in the frig to get happy until 1 pm tomorrow. I used what is in the picture for the rub. Plan to use the toothpick method after 5 hours, providing I am back from hunting, to check for dodeness, then sauce and back in for 30 minutes. I will be using a water pan. If anyone sees a problem with this plan please let me know before 1pm tomorrow. Thanks for your help.

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[SconnieQ]

Sounds like a sound plan. I don't think it's necessary to cut whole spares down to St. Louis unless you want to for a specific reason. I like leaving them whole. I'm a big fan of the no-peek method for ribs. Good idea to go with the absolute easiest, and least fussy method for you first smoke as your benchmark. You can always fuss more with wrapping etc. later, and see if you like it better. I personally don't think wrapping part-way through is worth the trouble, and makes that big of difference, but some on this forum do. These smokers keep a really moist environment. Why open the door? I also don't sauce and put back in the smoker (although I think most people here do). I like to keep the ribs just with the dry rub, then serve sauce on the side.

[jcboxlot]

Looks good, you might need 5 to 6 hours.   Spares can take longer depending on how you like them. 

[smokeasaurus]

This plan sounds like a winner and I also agree ya might need a bit more cooking time............

[elkins20]

Hey Bob, that sounds just like I do them, here is an old post that I did on ribs http://smokinitforums.com/index.php?topic=3783.0
and comes with pictures.

[IRGoode]

Thanks for the info guys. Bill those ribs looked really good. Do you remember how long they took?

[DivotMaker]

Good plan, Bob!  I don't cut my spares either (LOVE the tip meat!).  Spares usually take me 6-7 hours.  Longer than baby backs.

[IRGoode]

Ok here are the results. Seen no deer first off. The ribs took 5 hours and 45 minutes. Very tender. Don't think I will ever need to foil with this smoker. I did wrap in foil and rest for 30 minutes or so after taking them out of the smoker. The texture of the meat was perfect but a little salty for my taste. I think it was the Tony's that I mixed with the Famous Daves that mad them salty. I took your advice Kari and didn't sauce. I think I like them dry. I plan to repeat this exact procedure and skip the Tony's. Don't tell the wife. She thought these were good also but agreed they were a little salty. Thanks for all the help guys. I think if I can perfect the rub I will have perfect ribs!

[DivotMaker]

Excellent, Bob!  Yep, the Tony's will add saltiness.  Either go straight FDRR or Tony's next time, and see if you like it.  I don't find Dave's too salty at all.

[IRGoode]

Thanks Tony. Will go with straight FDRR next smoke.

[elkins20]

Hey Bob, Most of my rib smokes are between 4.5 to 5 hrs. at 235 box temp. But, these have been in the summer time. I am doing a rib smoke tomorrow and will let you know the exact time. As will be using the #3 as do not want to cut the slab into. Also they are St. Louis style ribs that I had purchased from restaurant depot.

[DivotMaker]

Bill, are they full spares, or already cut into SL ribs?  If they have the tips on, and aren't uniform length, they're full spares.  Plan on them going a little longer.

[elkins20]

Hey Tony I most always buy them at Sam's and are full spares. With the extra meat on the back and the tips on the one end. They are not uniform at all until I trim them. And my bag is about full of meat to smoke and cut up and package in 8 oz packages to use in bbq beans.

[DivotMaker]

Gotcha, Bill.  I buy the same spare packs.

[elkins20]

Hey Bob, Smoked my ribs yesterday afternoon, in the smoker at 2:00pm and out at 6:15pm. They passed the toothpick test, but feel they could have gone maybe 30min. longer but was hungry.