Rib-Off 2009

[pi in sc]

This Sunday is our second annual rib-off. Started last year when (after several adult beverages) a friend and I started talking smack about our ribs. Some of you may have read my intro where in the final stages of the preparation I got sick and did not completely finish the ribs. Needless to say I did not win...

This year I am hoping for a better showing. There are 5 participants of which 3 are cooking their ribs via a crock-pot (sheesh!), and one with a big green egg and myself with a smoker. A case of ribs (St Louis style) was purchased from from a local fine-dining restraunt so we all start with a level field. Each participant gets 4 racks.

I smoked four racks this past Sunday and they went well. I made lots of notes to help fine-tune my technique for the contest. I have some maple tucked away and plan to smoke for one hour with hickory and one hour with maple. I really want apple but have not scored any yet though I do have one more place to check tonite. If I find apple, look out!

Last year everyone voted which seems worthless to me. There are 7 couples coming and as previous stated, 5 are participating which means 10 votes will each go to there own ribs. I plan to have start lobbying today for a panel of judges and grade based on taste, colour and texture.

I will take some pictures and post how it went. If anyone has any secrets they would like to share, please do not hesitate.

Thanks!

Paul

 

[bigbaldbbq]

Good luck, and yes you need to have neutral judges. Or some sort of blind judging. just to be fair of course.

None of my friends will cook against me...haha

 

[bassman]

Good luck on your smoke out! Looks like it's between you and the guy with the BGE!

 

[pi in sc]

Bassman - If we judge on colour and texture as well as taste, that is exactly what I expect. No way a crockpot can come close in those categories. But if the judging is simply off taste, it is wide open.

 

[gnubee]

When there are no real regulations in place its always a crap shoot.

I agree with Bassman Its between you and the bge. Hopefully the bge guy is a newb.

 

[gooose53]

I had a brisket cooked on a BGE and it tasted like roast beef from the oven. I guess the equipment isn't as important as the cook. But I agree you should beat out the crockpot guys without any problem. Good Luck.

 

[fire it up]

Ribs in a crock pot? Well... to each his own I suppose.
You need another judge I'd love to come eat some good smoked ribs.
Good luck.

 

[9manfan]

Good luck to ya,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[pi in sc]

Exactly! I am going to barrow that quote when I politic for judges...

Come on down! Weather is great down here this time of year.


I found some apple wood yesterday. Turns out Ace hardware carries it if anyone else is looking.

What do yall think about 1 hour smoke of Hirckory and 1 hour of apple?

Thanks for the well wiches!

Paul

 

[pinkmeat]

Once Hickory is in the equation, the Apple won't matter. Go either all hickory or all apple. Apple is more mild, and some say slightly sweet smoke.

 

[pi in sc]

Sorry for the delay posting....

I have good news and bad news. The good news I did win the Rib-off. Bad news I have no pictures.

All in all it was a very good day tho it was not without some drama. It started about 1 hr and 15 mins in the smoke when it started to rain, and I dont mean a nice spring shower. It was a torrential downpour that lasted for 30-45+ minutes. So hard I told the wife the ribs were steamed not smoked. The smoker was uncovered and it created real problems holding a steady temp. Then at the 2 hr 15 mark, my freakin temp probe on my ET73 went out.The thing suddenly went from 230 to 265 and kept rising. It took about 30 mins of tweaking the gas down before I realized it was registering a bad temp and yanked it out. Not sure how it went bad as this was only the 5 time I have used it.

All the ribs were quite good, I just think the smoker took mine to the next level. I did add a couple of tweaks to my technique that worked out very very well.

Now I can relax, and enjoy the smoker without any pressure...