How to Smoke Baby Back Ribs on a Weber Kettle Grill

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smoke baby back ribs on a Weber Kettle grill

How to Smoke Baby Back Ribs on a Weber Kettle Grill

The best ribs you've ever had are at your fingertips! Dry rub ingredients are above the hardware supplies, BBQ sauce ingredients are under (need supply grouping!).

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Step 1 of 36
Combine all dry ingredients listed above Weber grill in supplies for the rub, blend in a coffee grinder or spice mill if possible

Combine all dry ingredients listed above Weber grill in supplies for the rub, blend in a coffee grinder or spice mill if possible

Step 2 of 36
Break out that beautiful package of ribs, we've got some maintenance to perform

Break out that beautiful package of ribs, we've got some maintenance to perform

Step 3 of 36
You CANNOT skip this step, removing the membrane. Slip a dull knife under the membrane along one of the middle bones.

You CANNOT skip this step, removing the membrane. Slip a dull knife under the membrane along one of the middle bones.

Step 4 of 36
Get your fingers under there

Get your fingers under there

Step 5 of 36
Start pulling membrane up slowly

Start pulling membrane up slowly

Step 6 of 36
Pull until it all comes up. Make sure to do this to both racks.

Pull until it all comes up. Make sure to do this to both racks.

Step 7 of 36
Pour a little bit of vegetable oil on all surfaces, this will help the rub adhere to the ribs

Pour a little bit of vegetable oil on all surfaces, this will help the rub adhere to the ribs

Step 8 of 36
Get that rub on there, be generous with it. If possible use plastic gloves to apply the rub to prevent it sticking to your hands.

Get that rub on there, be generous with it. If possible use plastic gloves to apply the rub to prevent it sticking to your hands.

Step 9 of 36
Yes, the back too!

Yes, the back too!

Step 10 of 36
Now let them chill out at room temp for 30-60 minutes. It's time to prep the grill.

Now let them chill out at room temp for 30-60 minutes. It's time to prep the grill.

Step 11 of 36
Our Weber Kettle grill.

Our Weber Kettle grill.

Step 12 of 36
Some beauty Canadian briquettes

Some beauty Canadian briquettes

Step 13 of 36
Let's get the fire going!  Remove your top rack and place chimney starter in grill. Pack the bottom with 2 pages of newspaper.

Let's get the fire going! Remove your top rack and place chimney starter in grill. Pack the bottom with 2 pages of newspaper.

Step 14 of 36
Fill the chimney about 2/3 full

Fill the chimney about 2/3 full

Step 15 of 36
Make sure bottom vents are all the way open.

Make sure bottom vents are all the way open.

Step 16 of 36
Light that newspaper!

Light that newspaper!

Step 17 of 36
One trick I learned is to start your propane BBQ up and close the lid on your top grate, easy cleaning!

One trick I learned is to start your propane BBQ up and close the lid on your top grate, easy cleaning!

Step 18 of 36
Getting there!

Getting there!

Step 19 of 36
About 20 minutes in you should be good to go.

About 20 minutes in you should be good to go.

Step 20 of 36
Dump those flaming coals into the Smokenator. Don't make the same mistake as me and do it wearing sandals, ouch!

Dump those flaming coals into the Smokenator. Don't make the same mistake as me and do it wearing sandals, ouch!

Step 21 of 36
Have your foil pan filled with some water, maybe 1/2 inch or so.

Have your foil pan filled with some water, maybe 1/2 inch or so.

Step 22 of 36
Place top rack on. I purchased a hinged rack, it's so worth the investment, makes it easier when you need to add more coals and/or wood chips. Close the lid and let grill heat up for 20 minutes.

Place top rack on. I purchased a hinged rack, it's so worth the investment, makes it easier when you need to add more coals and/or wood chips. Close the lid and let grill heat up for 20 minutes.

Step 23 of 36
Our combo of wood chips, mix them all up. I find it unnecessary to soak them, only cools down your coals and makes ashes blow up.

Our combo of wood chips, mix them all up. I find it unnecessary to soak them, only cools down your coals and makes ashes blow up.

Step 24 of 36
Add one handful of wood chips on coals and start laying down your ribs.

Add one handful of wood chips on coals and start laying down your ribs.

Step 25 of 36
Make sure the ribs aren't touching.

Make sure the ribs aren't touching.

Step 26 of 36
Pretty babys

Pretty babys

Step 27 of 36
Close that lid! In about 20 min add the second handful of wood chips and that's it. Leave the lid closed, if you're looking you ain't cooking! Maybe once an hour add 8-10 coals to maintain the heat.

Close that lid! In about 20 min add the second handful of wood chips and that's it. Leave the lid closed, if you're looking you ain't cooking! Maybe once an hour add 8-10 coals to maintain the heat.

Step 28 of 36
Plan on doing this for a while, you've got the time!

Plan on doing this for a while, you've got the time!

Step 29 of 36
Alright we're about 3 hours in and looks like we're done. You can see here where the meat has pulled away from the bone about 1/4 inch, beautiful!

Alright we're about 3 hours in and looks like we're done. You can see here where the meat has pulled away from the bone about 1/4 inch, beautiful!

Step 30 of 36
Those racks are ready! Let's make our sauce now.

Those racks are ready! Let's make our sauce now.

Step 31 of 36
Combine all ingredients listed under the hardware stuff in a small sauce pot and cook on low stirring often until it's mixed and heated through.

Combine all ingredients listed under the hardware stuff in a small sauce pot and cook on low stirring often until it's mixed and heated through.

Step 32 of 36
Just like that, your own BBQ sauce, you WILL taste the difference! You can remove from heat now.

Just like that, your own BBQ sauce, you WILL taste the difference! You can remove from heat now.

Step 33 of 36
Finishing touch is to apply the sauce. At this point I've fired up my propane BBQ for the potatoes, so I'll use the extra space for my ribs.

Finishing touch is to apply the sauce. At this point I've fired up my propane BBQ for the potatoes, so I'll use the extra space for my ribs.

Step 34 of 36
Over direct low heat, brush on the BBQ sauce. Don't stray too far, the sugar in both the rub and sauce can easily flare up.

Over direct low heat, brush on the BBQ sauce. Don't stray too far, the sugar in both the rub and sauce can easily flare up.

Step 35 of 36
I like the ribs somewhat "gummy" - so they only get about 15 min on the BBQ with liberal applications of the sauce. Cut the ribs individually before serving with an extra brush of sauce.

I like the ribs somewhat "gummy" - so they only get about 15 min on the BBQ with liberal applications of the sauce. Cut the ribs individually before serving with an extra brush of sauce.

Step 36 of 36
See the pink? That's the coveted "smoke ring" only found in properly smoked meats. Great success!

See the pink? That's the coveted "smoke ring" only found in properly smoked meats. Great success!

Start Over

11 Comments
Supplies

1 ¼ Cups Packed dark brown sugar

¼ Cups Coarse salt

½ Cups Paprika

3 Tablespoons Dried parsley

2 Tablespoons Dried basil

2 Tablespoons Dried oregano

2 Tablespoons Dried thyme

2 Tablespoons Dried onion flakes

1 ¼ Tablespoons Lemon pepper

1 Garlic powder

1 Teaspoon Ground allspice

1 Teaspoon Ground cinnamon

1 Weber Kettle grill

1 Smokenator

1 Bag of lump charcoal

1 Newspaper

1 Foil tray

1 Handful of a fruit based wood chips like cherry

1 Handful of a more intense wood chips like hickory

1 Cup Brown sugar

¼ Cups Ketchup

¼ Cups Soy sauce

¼ Cups Worcestershire sauce

¼ Cups Quality dark rum

½ Cups Chile sauce

1 Teaspoon Garlic powder

1 Teaspoon Dry mustard

½ Teaspoons Black pepper

Jon Herchert

Nice Marc...I'm gonna get a smokenator!

Jon Herchert 6 months ago

Marc Slater

Thanks Jon, that's awesome to hear! Next time try and whip up the sauce, it's outta sight with a tiny kick, so good

(author) 12 months ago

Jon West

I used your guide today and the ribs came out great! I didn't have time to make the sauce so I basted with Stubb's. This was only my 3rd time smoking meat and this was easily the best outcome. Thanks for sharing!

Jon West 12 months ago

Marc Slater

Thanks Dave, such an important step!

(author) last year

Dave Miller

Very well written! I like that you didn't skip the step of removing the membrane. That shows your a true pro.. Good job

Dave Miller last year

Gustav S

Thanks, we shall see how it can reach Sweden.

Gustav S last year

Marc Slater

this is the product: http://www.smokenator.com/ (no affiliation with them, I swear!) I bought it locally and don't use the included water pan

(author) last year

Cliff Taylor

How do I get that separator for my Weber??

Cliff Taylor last year

Gustav S

I will use this next time. I never saw such smoke accessory, I suppose it is Weber piece to organize the coals better.

Gustav S last year

Marc Slater

Thanks! I was hyped to put it together!

(author) last year

Edwin Tofslie

Great guide. Really nicely explained.

Edwin Tofslie last year

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Gustav S

http://www.smokenator.com

Gustav S last year

Seth Brookshire

Where does one find a Smokenator?

Seth Brookshire last year

Marc Slater

Aftermarket accessory ;) Was about $70 CDN but works amazing

(author) last year

Gustav S

Smokenator? Standard accessory?

Gustav S last year

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Marc Slater

Coming from a "meathead" that's a big compliment! :)

(author) last month

Meathead Goldwyn

Nice work!

Meathead Goldwyn last month

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