Ingredients

  • For the Sauce
  • 1 1/4 cups ketchup
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1/4 cup pineapple juice
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons ground mustard
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
  • For the Rub
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup paprika
  • 2 tablespoons coarse black pepper
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons onion powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne
  • secret savory herbs

Method

  • Whisk together all sauce ingredients and place open in smoker for 60 minutes, whisking every 15 minutes Trim baby-back ribs & remove membrane. Apply HEAVY rub 1 hour before smoking and let the ribs come to room temperature Place on smoker with CLEAN BURNING FIRE at 225 degrees for 1.5 hours. Remove from smoker and apply a light layer of sauce and a little more rub. Seal in tented foil (not tightly wrapped against ribs). Continue to cook at 225 degrees for 1 hour. Remove from smoker and remove foil. Apply light layer of sauce for glaze. Place back in 225 degree smoker for anywhere from half an hour to an hour and a half (checking for doneness) lightly glazing every 20 minutes. Checking for doneness: Remove from smoker when whole rack has a nice bend (when held in the center) without breaking. Apply final layer thick of sauce, place back on smoker for 5 minutes to set glaze.
  • A perfectly cooked rib should hold firm, but with a slight tug it bites off the bone clean.