Does size (of ribs) matter???


 
R

Rich Paq

TVWBB Member
When looking at some of the recipies on this site i.e. BRITU. They mention that the rack of ribs should weigh about 2 lbs. Today at a Walmart Super Store, I saw a Tyson brand cryo packaged baby back rib that weighed 5.1 lbs. (One rack in package). Now, wouldn't I want the biggest rack I can find?? Other than maybe a longer cooking time, is there another reason to cook with smaller racks??
 
There must have been more than one slab in that package or it wasn't baby back rib. It may have looked like one slab because of the way the slabs sit one on another. The biggest aren't always the ones to take. The smaller slabs often have a better meat to fat ratio IMO. If it was one slab, must have come from one big old oinker.
 
No, I've bought these before, one rack per package and they were baby backs. The spares were next to it. You mentioned fat to meat ratio as a possible reason for using smaller ribs. I didnt think of that. Any other reasons out there??
 
Actually, what I should have said was ratio of meat to bone. My error. The only other consideration I can think of is how the slabs fit on the grate. The closer to the edge, the more likely the ends might be overcooked.
 
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NEVER seen a 5 lb rack of BB's...
 
That's way too big to be baby back. I guess it's officially loin back. Even so, that's one big honkin' rack of ribs. Let us know how it tastes. I've heard that smaller/younger pork is tastier, sweeter, etc.
 
Ok, I think it does say loin back ribs on the package. I was under the impression that there were only baby backs or spares. Are loin ribs a 3rd type or is it just a different cut?? Now Im really confused.
 
Loin back and baby back ribs are the same things. Any possibility of posting a picture of the label? What's the cost of the package? I get baby backs at BJ's, three slabs to a cryo package with the total weight being approx 7 lbs. Go back to Wal Mart right now and snap a picture.
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Don't know how much they weighed but on the BBQ Pitmaster show when Johnny Trig had his competition just for the TV shows teams...he bought all the identical rib racks and... they were huge...the bones & meat were much bigger and thicker than any I've seen anywhere
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I'm gonna order some through Paradise Meats and see....
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If the racks are from heritage breeds and/or those not raised on an industrial pig farm they certainly can be of a size different from 'normal', This is far less likely with industrially raised pigs - but not impossible.
 
well 5 pounds is certainly a stretch of the term "baby back." If I remember right in order for back ribs to be correctly labeled as "baby back" the rack must be 2 pounds or less.

I have a spot near me that has some big backs but I doubt their near 5 pounds. I was cooking them for a while but I tired of them. There's too much lean meat left on them and I felt like I was eating a pork chop.

this pic kind of shows their meatyness:
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Gorgeous picture J! Looks like a magazine cover, but I can see what you are saying about too much meat being left on the top of the ribs.

a 5 lb baby back??? Must have some off of Hogzilla! My guess is they were mislabeled.
 
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