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Baby Backs or Spares?


oldtimer

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My response is NOT non-committal...It is a response based on 50 years of experience, trial and error and lots of error. If you are relying for the most part on others to guide you, rather than your own experience and a good instant read thermometer then you are doomed. It is both an art AND a science. The art is the preparation, the science is the actual temperature, time, and equipment used....

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Spare ribs the easiest for me to get right every time. Quality of the meat is my #1 priority. If I get that right to start with then the ribs will usually be awesome. As many know I smoke em on a pellet smoker with 100% hickory. Sometimes I will reverse sear to bring up more crust on them. Cooking time for me usually about 6 hours.

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Chill out and try smokin one of these...

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Been removing the back membrane for years and works great in the oven, but now you have me wondering about doing that on the smoker. Removed it the last several times we smoked ribs & don't recall them being dry.

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Baby backs are easier to cook.

Spare has more fat, therefore, more flavor.

I prefer baby back because of the less-fat factor.

And I can't stand those little gristle bits.

jerol

i feel safe saying that they'll never be a dodger dog on your grill. Go Giants!

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Spare ribs (St. Louis cut) are probably the easier to smoke because of the higher fat content but also seem to take a little longer. I smoke with indirect heat low and slow using hickory on an oversized Weber. Finish 'em off on a separate pit with direct heat and sauce for 15 minutes or less. Baste with apple juice in a spray bottle throughout. I cooked baby backs for years and they are great too. We now prefer the spares.

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