Do baby backs have same membrane to remove as spares?

  • Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
SMF is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

jdsmith

Smoke Blower
Original poster
Sep 1, 2009
108
12
Southeast Iowa
I'm gonna smoke up a rack of baby backs tomorrow. I've done a rack of spares once already and removed that membrane on the back. Do baby backs have that same type of membrane that should be removed?

Thanks!
 
He's right they all have the same membrane, I used to leave it on because I had such a hard time getting them off, till someone posted this link.



Makes taking that slippery little sucker easy as pie to get off.
 
thanks guys. I figured it did. But I knew if I threw the question out on here I'd probably get an answer faster than searchin' for it. I saw a different video on youtube about using a paper towel to remove the membrane. This particular fella didn't use a spoon/knife to start it, just pulled from the corner with the paper towel. First/only time I've tried removing, I did it that way and it came off real easy.
 
Jon Merka
TVWBB Pro
Posted September 19, 2009 07:25 PM September 19, 2009 07:25 PM Hide Post i cook mine membrane side down. the membrane just crisps up for the most part. cant tell it wasnt removed. i have tried removing em but its a lot of work for not much gain. being a lazy bbq'er i decided to just see what happens if i leave it on.
Posts: 548 | Registered: June 04, 2008

Now there is some really bad advice
 
A Nationwide (somewhat worldwide) chain of restaurants recently started carrying baby backs, the place rhymes with crapplebees and the way they prep their ribs is instead of pulling off the membrane they cut a slit in between each rib, then season, rest, steam, season again and then grill.
I have tried the baby backs but only on my smoker with membrane removed, they were actually kind of lacking meat, glad I didn't have to pay for them, I would have been pissed.
Anyway, not sure how well that works out and I would never slit the membrane as opposed to removing it but just some added info.
 
Before I knew better, I just left the membrane on. Now I remove it. Truthfully, I don't see any differance in the finished product. I remove it because now that I realize it's there, it kind of grosses me out.
 
Can't tell it wasn't removed???
confused.gif


I had to leave one on one time because it kept shredding and I couldn't get the darn thing off. I could definitely tell it wasn't removed. Kind of gets in betwen your teeth.

The membrane crisps up???
confused.gif


icon_eek.gif
How hot is he smoking them?????

Gary's right -- that's bad advice.
PDT_Armataz_01_34.gif


Dave
 
I posted a Trick that REALLY works for me and have had no trouble with membranes any more...

Run HOT WATER over the membrane for about 10-15secs, In actual the membrane turns further white and releases from the meat a whole lot better when pulling off.

This method I use works everytime, usually I pat dry, RUB and smoke that same day, but I ask about doing this if I was going to 'overnight the rub' and everyone here didn't see a 'bacteria' problem doing this HOT water thing the night before.

Give it a try, it really helps
PDT_Armataz_01_34.gif
 
I'll have to give that a try next time I do ribs. I just did a whole bunch of them last week and had a real hard time getting all the membrane off.

Thanks for the tip.
 
I find starting at the center works best to pull the membrane on BB's. Peels right up no paper towels or trying to grip the end. Use something blunt and make a little separation, work a finger under the membrane through to the other side and tear it right up from the center.
PDT_Armataz_01_01.gif


mem.JPG



mem1.JPG



mem2.JPG



mem3.JPG



Just my way
icon_wink.gif
 
I'll have to try that hot water trick to see if that works. But I have had trouble but I still don't give up till I get it done.
 
I just did a rack today from Costco and I fumbled around for five minutes trying to get hold of the membrane until I realized it had already been removed..
 
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Latest posts

Hot Threads

Clicky