Why don't my ribs look like you guys ribs?

[James Otto]

I've tried ribs 3 times. They don't come out golden brown. They come out dark dark brown. When they are actually to the golden brown point of the cook, there just not done, they don't break apart easy. When they get to the point when the meet pulls from the bone they are dark dark brown, and sometimes there still tough. What am I doing wrong?

I pull the back off the ribs, season it, set the grill to about 230 - 250 and let it go.

 

[Jim Lampe]

well James, the colour of the finished ribs does not matter a hill of beans to me.
I do not think I've ever had golden brown ribs - spares or BBs -
a few questions for you:
Are you making baby back ribs (loin back) or spares?
How long are you cooking the ribs at 230-250'F?
Are you grillin' or smokin' the ribs?
How much fuel are you using?

 

[James Otto]

Smoking spare ribs in the WSM.
Last night they cooked for about 5 hours.
I used a 22.5 bag of kingsford original. The ribs were cooking with some butts. I got the pork butts down good. It just the ribs are my problem.

 

[MKEvenson]

James, I feel your pain

, There is a rib method that can change all that. Smoke the ribs to your desired color, foil and continue smoking till desired doneness or a little before, take out of foil and back on the grate to firm up the bark or set a glaze. The ribs should come out a nice enjoyable color and be tender and good. I have found that some smoke woods can add to the dark color also some rubs. Try a rub with no red color in it. Try apple wood. Don't forgett to pray to the BBQ gods.

Mark

 

[James Otto]

Thanks I'll try that.

My rub has alot of paprika in it.

 

[MKEvenson]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by James Otto:
Thanks I'll try that.

My rub has alot of paprika in it. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

James, I had another thought

Sugar at time can make the meat dark, perhaps a rub with less or a sugar with a higher burn point. Obviously only you know what the ribs look like.

Mark

 

[TravisH]

Personally, I prefer dark dark brown. So just pass those down to this end of the table!

 

[Stuart Cassingham]

i recently started using the "cook till you like the way they look" method then foiling... have turned out awesome every time.....