I ran a small experiment on my pellet smoker to compare wrapped vs unwrapped pork ribs and filmed the whole cook.
Both racks were seasoned the same way and cooked side-by-side with the same temperature and smoke. The only difference was that one rack stayed unwrapped the entire time while the other was wrapped partway through the cook.
What I noticed was how different the bark, texture, and moisture turned out even though the process was almost identical.
The unwrapped rack developed a much firmer bark and deeper smoke flavor, while the wrapped rack was noticeably softer and a bit more tender.
Neither one was “bad”just very different results depending on what texture you prefer.
by Intelligent-Let-2527
15 Comments
Bro you didn’t tell us which you prefer?
I’m on the unwrapped side for ribs. I like the extra smoke and I’m not a fan of “fall off the bone” ribs.
I personally like moist extremely tender ribs and happily sacrifice everything else to achieve that end by going three hours then triple wrapping after covering in butter/honey/brown sugar with extra water with them in the foil then going another three hours all on 225
I imagine it’s not for everybody but damn I love me some fall apart ribs
No shade at you OP (ribs look dank), but the problem with these tests is that people always do the two racks for the same amount of time, which means the wrapped rack will be cooked to a higher temp. So what you end up preferring might have nothing to do with the wrap and more to do with the doneness.
Noice
The right answer to pork ribs is the one in my mouth
Answer: cook part of the time wrapped and the end unwrapped
Yeah when you wrap ribs in foil you’re essentially steaming them to doneness. Now, with that said, I crank the heat for the last 30 mins and finish them unwrapped. That gives me the texture that is my favorite. Juicy tender inside (not fall off the bone), firm exterior and allows me to cook ribs in 2½ hours instead of 6 hours at 225 and I can’t tell a difference
If I’m finishing high heat then I leave them on, if I’m going slow the whole time I take them off if I remember. Also on team no wrap, don’t fall off the bone.
Smoking in the name of science! Love it!
I do wrap them if I am making Vermont Pig Candy. Besides that, I go with unwrapped every single time.
I like them both because they both have their place at the time you want a certain way. The fall off the bone ones for me are better with beans but on the other hand the no wrap ribs go better slaw. Nice looking ribs ya did there!
If I’m feeling fancy I’ll wrap. If I’m just having fun no. Either way I end up just chomping down.
This is smoking, not grilling!!! Haha they look solid.
Unwrapped. Nobody likes soggy meat.