This past weekend I had the chance to cook on a pellet smoker for the first time. If you’re not familiar with pellet cookers, they run off small, compressed “pellets” of 100% wood. There’s no filler or other junk to worry about, so what you get is pure, clean smoke.
I have to admit that I was a little leery of a pellet smoker producing the same competition quality meat that I get with charcoal and wood, so I was excited about putting the Yoder to the test.
Firing up the Yoder and controlling the temperature is probably the best feature of this smoker. It’s literally “set and forget”. Once you have pellets in the hopper, it’s as easy as flipping a switch, pressing start, and setting the target temperature. The Yoder came up to 235 in about 15-20 minutes, and it was ready to roll.
Ribs were the first meat that I choose to cook on the Yoder because I wanted to see just exactly how much smoke flavor the pellets would infuse into the meat.
Ribs on the Yoder Smoker
I’m a firm believer in a little smoke goes a long way when it comes to competition barbecue. It’s easy to over smoke a piece of meat, and that’s one thing that you can’t change once it’s done. Ribs are a challenge on any smoker not only to get the tenderness right but due to their thickness (or thinness I should say) they can absorb too much smoke and turn out bitter.
The ribs I selected for this cook were 2.5lbs and down loin back ribs. I had my butcher cut them down on each side to square the racks and remove any fragments left from the processor. Two of the slabs were prepped my normal comp style, slathered with a little mustard and dusted with Killer Hogs The BBQ Rub. For the other two racks, I had a pre-rub that I wanted to try. It went on both sides first, and after 5 minutes. I applied The BBQ Rub.
Ribs getting a glaze of The BBQ Sauce
All four racks went on the Yoder at the same time. I stuck to my normal basting schedule of every 45 minutes. I did take note of the smoke that the Yoder was producing. It was light and blue just like good smoke is supposed to be. Also, the cherry pellets gave off a terrific aroma. The only thing missing was a little sweet onion in the air.
After 2 hours the ribs had all of the color that I wanted, so it was time to wrap. I go with a good dose of margarine, brown sugar, & honey inside the foil. Then it’s back on the smoker to tenderize. I always like to check the ribs about 1 ½ hours into the wrap stage just to get a feel for the tenderness. The last thing I want is mushy ribs, so it’s better to check than guess. These ribs still needed a little longer, so I gave them 30 more minutes. At that point all four racks came inside, and I vented & drained the juices from the foil to stop the cooking process. Total cook time at this point was 4 hours at 235 degrees.
For the final glaze I used our competition sauce…Killer Hogs The BBQ Sauce. Just like The BBQ Rub. it was created not just for great flavor but also final appearance of the meat. Everyone knows that judges eat with their eyes first! The ribs went back on the smoker once both sides were sauced. This is where I felt a little nervous. At this point on my smokers, there would be absolutely no smoke coming from my stacks. Charcoal would provide the heat because I don’t want any smoke flavor to build up on the outside of the meat. The pellets in the Yoder are producing heat but they’re still giving off smoke.
I kept a close watch on the ribs checking them every 15 minutes for darkness. After 45 minutes the glaze had set, and there wasn’t any problem with the sauce over caramelizing.
Ribs with Final Glaze
The final appearance of these ribs was competition worthy and the Yoder did one heck of a job maintaining heat and producing just the right amount of smoke. I was really surprised at the smoke ring and taste. The level of smoke flavor was right on the money. Now I know how those guys using pellet smokers are racking up the trophies!
Malcom Reed
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Competition Rib Recipe
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Enjoyed your tips on competition BBQ I went to a comp in Houston last weekend used my rubs and some of your tips and won grand champion! Thanks! you guys know what you are doing! Keep up the good work…..
If you have too much sugar in your rubs, it can cause it to burn. Keep the sugar content low in your first rubs – then add them at the end as a finishing rub.
Love your youtube channel, I have an ugly drum that I built and it works gteat. I have used your recipes and LOVE them. I am interested in one of the Yoder smokers. Are those electric?
You would use whatever type of wood chunks you want. It’s all about what you want for the final flavor. For me, if I’m cooking pork I usually use cherry or apple. If I’m cooking beef, I’m using pecan. And a lot of times I will throw in just one chunk of hickory to give it another note of flavor. And when it comes to smoking, I would just start with 2 – 3 small chunks. You don’t want to over-smoke your meat.
Malcom,
im a big fan of your videos and have won a couple of backyard bbq competitions using your tips. Thank you for building this great website. I have a question on when to use a base before applying the rub. On the your memphis dry ribs you skipped the base but I’v noticed on other videos that you use mustard. got any advice as to when to use a base and when not to use a base? Ive never used one and im wondering if my ribs would benifit from a base. I havent experimented with this becasue im not a fan of mustard. Thank you.
Malcom I just ordered the 3 pack of The BBQ Rub. I live in Crawfordville,Florida.I was just wondering how long does it take to get the order after they have been shipped.
I see your counter tops at the beginning of the video say CleanSheet…is this a counter top laminate or like a contact sheet that you remove when you finish cooking? Where did you get it?
I made my first ribs ever following this process and all I can say is WOW! They came out tender and with so much flavor. My family lived them. I made them on a Kamado style grill. Thank you very much for the video.
What is your mop made of
I typically use a basic mop of:
1 cup Apple Juice
1/4 cup Garlic Red Wine Vinegar
1/4 cup Olive Oil
1 cup Water
Pour all ingredients into container. Shake well and keep refrigerated.
You can substitute Italian dressing for the oil and vinegar.
I have to say I really enjoyed your how to videos. Can’t wait to hit the grill this weekend.
David
What is in your all spice? Can we have the recipe? Thanks Malcom
Are you talking about the AP Rub?
That is a basic recipe that is 1 Part Salt, ½ Part Garlic, & ¼ Part Black Pepper
Where can I order this I am from Canada your rubs
The Rub Shack
https://therubshack.ca/
240 Exeter Road
London, ON N6L 1A3
(519) 808-4700
Dickson Barbeque Centre Bloor St. West
https://dicksonbbq.com/
2958 Bloor St. West
Toronto, Ontario M8X 1B7, Canada
Enjoyed your tips on competition BBQ I went to a comp in Houston last weekend used my rubs and some of your tips and won grand champion! Thanks! you guys know what you are doing! Keep up the good work…..
glad to hear it!
I have a problem with spices burning I think. My ribs come out really dark. Please help !!
If you have too much sugar in your rubs, it can cause it to burn. Keep the sugar content low in your first rubs – then add them at the end as a finishing rub.
Hey Malcom,
Love your youtube channel, I have an ugly drum that I built and it works gteat. I have used your recipes and LOVE them. I am interested in one of the Yoder smokers. Are those electric?
They are pellet smokers – and the heat source comes from the pellets. but the “hopper” uses electricity to run.
I am using weber smokey mountain want kind of wood chucks would I use and how many?
You would use whatever type of wood chunks you want. It’s all about what you want for the final flavor. For me, if I’m cooking pork I usually use cherry or apple. If I’m cooking beef, I’m using pecan. And a lot of times I will throw in just one chunk of hickory to give it another note of flavor. And when it comes to smoking, I would just start with 2 – 3 small chunks. You don’t want to over-smoke your meat.
Malcom,
im a big fan of your videos and have won a couple of backyard bbq competitions using your tips. Thank you for building this great website. I have a question on when to use a base before applying the rub. On the your memphis dry ribs you skipped the base but I’v noticed on other videos that you use mustard. got any advice as to when to use a base and when not to use a base? Ive never used one and im wondering if my ribs would benifit from a base. I havent experimented with this becasue im not a fan of mustard. Thank you.
Malcom I just ordered the 3 pack of The BBQ Rub. I live in Crawfordville,Florida.I was just wondering how long does it take to get the order after they have been shipped.
When you wrap ribs in foil, do you put bone side down or meat side down?
I go meat side down – down side up.
Hi, thanks for the great videos and tips! Could you share what mixture and the ratios you use for the baste you use in mopping the ribs?
I see your counter tops at the beginning of the video say CleanSheet…is this a counter top laminate or like a contact sheet that you remove when you finish cooking? Where did you get it?
Those are disposable cutting boards
I made my first ribs ever following this process and all I can say is WOW! They came out tender and with so much flavor. My family lived them. I made them on a Kamado style grill. Thank you very much for the video.