Here are the basic techniques for making a delicious rack of pork ribs.
1. Select the type of ribs you want to smoke. Any cut will work. I prefer to remove the membrane before cooking. You can lift the edge with a butter knife and then use a paper towel to grab it and pull it off in one piece.
2. Cover your ribs with your favorite rub. If you wish to use a bonding agent such as mustard or worstershire sauce, slather the ribs with it and then apply the rub.
3. Wrap your ribs in plastic wrap and put them in the refrigerator overnight.
4. The day of the cook, get your ribs out and let them sit on the counter for a while, no more than an hour.
5. Prepare your smoker and bring the temperature at the grates up to 200° F. If not in already, add the wood chips or chunks, whatever you are using.
6. Unwrap your ribs and place them on the smoker. I prefer to use a rib rack for more even cooking. You can do fine just laying the ribs on the grate as well. Either method works fine. Lay them bone side down for best results.
7. Ribs can take from 4-6 hours depending on your smoker. Start low at 200° so that the ribs can suck up the most smoke. After about 2 hours, raise the temp up to 250-275° for the rest of the time. I would not cook them for more than 6 hours at 250° or you will end up with a pile of pulled pork. If your ribs do not come out tender after 6 hours, check the temperature of your smoker, something is wrong somewhere. I know my smoker well enough that I can throw a couple racks in there for 4 1/2 hours and not mess with them. They come out perfect everytime.
8. Are they done yet? Using a probe thermometer on ribs is not always necessary after you get to know your smoker. If you do use a thermometer, insert it between the bones and check to see that the temp is at least 165° or higher. I prefer to wiggle the bones. When the ribs are done, you should be able to slightly wiggle the bone without the rack moving. The meat will have withdrawn leaving about 1/2 inch of the bone exposed.
9. Take the ribs off and wrap them in foil for 20 minutes. They will continue to cook and get tender and juicy. After 20 min, take the ribs out and slice them into serving portions. You can drizzle them with sauce now, or let your guests do it at the table. Add your favorite sides and dig in!
