Beef Ribs, can't do pork for this Q


 
LarryR

LarryR

TVWBB Diamond Member
SO's son has a good friend who is Muslim and has been here many times when I've been smoking ribs. He's commented on how good they look and I often feel bad as he'll eat side dishes while SO's son and his friends gorge themselves on ribs. He's one of the few friends who I actually like, a good kid. We're going to be having his family over for a BBQ and I'd like to do some beef ribs for them. Having never done beef ribs before I searched this forum and gathered the following, am I missing anything?

1) When buying make sure there's plenty of meat on the top of the ribs.
2) Beef ribs need to go lower and slower than pork ribs (is 220 grate good?)
3) Remove membrane just like pork
4) There may be some large fat deposits, remove them
5) Go with a rub low in sugar (anyone have a good suggestion?)
6) Remove when meat is 1/2 inch down bone similar to pork
7) Mixed messages on foiling . . . I think I'll foil
8) Plan on about a 7 - 8 hour smoke

Any other tips or am I missing anything? I'm going to try and do a dry run this week (once my replacement Stoker arrives) and see how things go. If they don't turn out I'll probably do a brisket but I know he'd like some ribs. On the wood side I'm thinking Red Oak and Cherry. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Also, and please forgive my ignorance here, I assume I can smoke these on a grate/rib rack that has been used to smoke pork before. If anyone knows differently pleas advise.

Thanks in advance
 
as long as the grate is cleaned and the beef ribs are above any pork you are doing they should be fine with it. i know a few muslims and none of them are really fanatics about pork, they just won't eat it or anything that has been cooked with it. you may just want to err on the side of caution and do a beef only cook.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">as long as the grate is cleaned and the beef ribs are above any pork you are doing they should be fine with it. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks Tony. I was thinking I'd do and all beef cook; maybe a brisket on the lower rack and then add the beef ribs later. My dishwasher has a "sanitize" feature and I was think I'd run my racks through her prior to the cook.
 
Larry, i was thinking more about this. how good a friend is he to your SO's son? good enough that he can ask if the grates will be a problem since pork was cooked on them? that way if it is a problem and you are serious about cooking for them(which it seems you are) you could pick up an 18"kettle grill grate(same as wsm top grate) and a 22.5" kettle charcoal grate(same as WSM bottom grate) at HD for less than 30 dollars.
 
Larry, I wouldn't go as far as buying new grates (clean them thoroughly), but I definitely would not cook any pork that day. Be careful with side dishes also (a lot of commerical baked beans have pork inside). Alcohol might also pose a problem so make sure you know their preference.

It really depends on the family and how religious they are. All of my muslim friends do not touch pork (they feel pigs are filthy animals), however will drink alcohol inconspicuously.

Erik
 
You know Tony that's probably a good idea just to ask. He's here all the time and I'm comfortable asking that question, I just hope he's comfortable giving me an honest answer.

Picking-up an extra grate(s) isn't a big deal.
Ed C. and I are going to be cooking for SO's son's graduation party in June and I'm sure this family as well as additional Muslim friends/guests will be in attendance so if this is the case having a couple extra non-pork grates would be a good idea. I'll let you know what the kid reports.

Erik, I think this family is fairly religious and I know they don't drink alcohol. I will have an assortment of non-alcoholic beverages on hand for them. I'll try to remain relatively sober also
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but no promises.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Tony C.:
Larry, i was thinking more about this. how good a friend is he to your SO's son? good enough that he can ask if the grates will be a problem since pork was cooked on them? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Tony is correct, you better ask. And while you are asking about the grates, because the WSM had pork cooked in it might be off limits also.
When looking at beef ribs try and find ones that don't have all the meat dug out from inbetween the bones, good luck with that.
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When I cook beef ribs they usually take 5-6 hrs, but most times the meat is thin on them.
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I know there have been discussions about halal and kosher foods and prep on the board before - here's one I found. there might be some info you could use there.
 
Thanks for the link Joel, it was helpful.

From what I've read I think I'm OK using my grates. I will however ask just to make sure.

On the ribs, any other suggestions? I've seen very meaty ones at my local grocery store so hopefully that won't be an issue. I'm actually looking forward to trying them.
 
Larry,
Last time I did beef ribs, I used the sugarless Texas rub in from a sparerib recipe in the cooking topics section. They came out pretty good.
Good luck with the cook.
Sugarless Texas Sprinkle Barbecue Rub
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1/3 cup table salt
1/4 cup paprika
3 Tablespoons chili powder
2 Tablespoons ground black pepper
1 Tablespoon ground cumin
1 Tablespoon granulated garlic
1 Tablespoon cayenne
Combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly. Makes about 1 cup.

Steve
 
Larry,
Depending on how devout your Muslim friend is you should be fine if you clean the grates and your barbecue tools. I would only emphasize that to Muslims if you use a barbecue tool to touch pork then it cannot touch the beef afterwards because it is "contaminated." This rule includes serving platters etc. They have to be cleaned in between the two meats going on the platter. Easiest thing to do is just use two sets of tools and platters. Bottom line is that Islam focuses on intent not necessarily violating the rules. If you violate the rules and the guy doesn't know then he is ok. Now if he knows and still eats the ribs that is a different story. Hope this helps.
 
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