To foil or not

[amishboy]

First smoke is on the go with a couple of rib racks. Have seen two methods for doing these, one involves foiling after a couple of hours the other not, to supposedly create a better bark. Any advantage of one over the other ?

[Swindon_Ed]

I always foil as it helps the meat get more tender and with ribs i don't really notice a problem with bark, it still develops in the foil.

[keith157]

I do what Ed does (it was his advice in the first place)

[amishboy]

Ahh ha ok well I will be doing that next time. Just waiting for the first ribs to come off in the next few mins. Has been interesting doing this for the first time with a new Weber. Had issues with temp control but in the end two water trays seem to keep it in the zone. Next time pork joint. Also saw at Tesco they have larger bone in pork shoulders, not sure if that's new but happen to notice it. Think was about 2.99 a kilo.

[amishboy]

Well first cook was ok. The flavour was pretty amazing but the ribs were a bit dry which I guess where the foiling would help and probably the high starting temp didn't add to it either. Otherwise got to test the ET732 which was great and learning to control the lower temps. Roll on the wkend.

[keith157]

The foiling certainly helps with the moisture, especially if you add a squirt of apple juice or similar.

[tommo666]

After watching some pitmasters, i foil with brown sugar, honey, butter and apple juice. Works for me:-)

[Clayfish]

After watching some pitmasters, i foil with brown sugar, honey, butter and apple juice. Works for me:-)

Is that meat side up or down?

I gave up foiling as the ribs became mushy, I like a little bite, maybe I was just cooking them too long?

[keith157]

How long were you cooking them for, although the "formula" is 3-2-1 that's for the more generous US ribs. I do mine 2-1.5 and probably 30-40minutes to glaze.

[Clayfish]

Started by following 3-2-1 in the WSM and cut times, maybe around 4-4.5 hours no foil.

I've also been doing single racks on the Kettle when I don't want to fire up the WSm - I do them hot 'n' fast for a couple of hours max, although it's easy to overshoot them this way when your attention wanders... **grabs another beer and watches another episode of Sons of Anarchy**