Is it possible to get smoked ribs that are delicious, juicy, and fall off the bone tender in an electric smoker? Yes, it is possible. This article will tell you how to cook ribs on Electric Smoker. I have tried this recipe many times, and I will discuss it with you in this fantastic blog.
The first thing you need is an electric smoker. I cannot speak for other brands, but I can tell you that we are happy with our model. Regardless of the brand or model you choose, the smoker should be cleaned and pre-seasoned before you smoke the first rack of ribs.
I will tell you a complete step-by-step process for cooking ribs in an electric smoker like an expert. I use this recipe many times in my home for guests, and they like it. I hope this recipe will be helpful for you in cooking Ribs.
Table of Contents
How to Cook Ribs on Electric Smoker?
This first stage is where the ribs are smoked for 3 hours. Set the smoker to 225F to create low and slow smoke. Make sure the ribs are generously coated with a good BBQ rub. If you are smoking back ribs, you must smoke them for 2 hours.
The second stage is where the meat tenderizes. Wrap the ribs tightly in foil. This steams the ribs, and the result is tender, juicy ribs. Just before closing each rack of ribs in the foil, put a little bit of beer or apple juice in with the ribs.
This helps the steaming process. Put the ribs, wrapped in foil, back in the smoker for 2 hours at 225F. My smoker can function as an oven, and so, for this stage, I turn off the smoking element in my smoker and bake them in the smoker at 225F.
This final stage is when you sauce the ribs. Make sure you use your favorite BBQ sauce and liberally coat the ribs on both sides. Then back in the smoker set for 225F for 1 final hour. Again, it is possible to use an oven for the last hour.
I like to smoke them for the final hour. It creates a wonderfully Smokey Flavor in the BBQ sauce. This result is tender with a full Smokey flavor with so much seasoning in the rub and sauce. Now I discuss the complete process of cooking ribs in Electric Smoker.
Step 1: Cleaning the Electric Smoker
It’s essential to clean the inside of the smoker before cooking to remove any leftover paint, oil, or dust leftover from manufacturing. Wash the interior walls, racks, and water pan with warm, soapy water, rinse well, let it dry, and proceed with pre-seasoning.
Step 2: Pre-season the Electric Smoker
After cleaning, coat the interior with oil, set the smoker to 275 degrees, and heat the unit for three hours. During the last 45 minutes, add a few wood chips to the tray to help displace the metallic smell. After this, allow the smoker to cool completely before opening.
Step 3: Selecting the Meat
Finding the perfect rack of ribs for smoking takes time. No matter if you prefer spare ribs or baby backs, there are a few things to remember to start with the best meat for smoking:
Talk to the butcher; any experienced butcher can maximize the rib meat in his preparation process by trimming away fat and leaving meatier ribs
Avoid vacuum-sealed ribs only because you can’t see how much meat is on the bones.
Good marbling of the fat will help keep the ribs moist, help hold the smoke, and give them a wonderful flavor.
Avoid excess fluid if you purchase pre-packaged ribs; avoid any liquid in the package.
Step 4: Prepare the Ribs
Smoking ribs is a process and takes some planning. The night before you cook, you’ll need to rinse the ribs under cool water, pat them completely dry with paper towels, remove the membrane, and apply the dry rub.
The membrane is the skin on the backside of the ribs. This process can be tedious, but don’t skip it — removing the membrane allows for more uniform smoking and optimal tenderness.
Step 5: Pre-heat the Smoker
Like you’d preheat a grill or oven before you start smoking ribs, you should set your electric smoker to the desired temperature. Some units may be set to a default temperature, so always refer to your recipe or a meat cooking guide.
I cook my Electric Smoked Ribs at 225 degrees. However, I preheated the smoker to 250 degrees to help boost the initial cooking process. That’s because heat is lost when opening the door to load the ribs.
Step 6: Add Wood Chips to the Chamber
Add wood chips to the wood chip chamber to create a smoky flavor. Also, add water to the drip pan to keep moisture in the ribs. I usually add half water and half apple juice. I had always soaked my wood chips because the instructions said to do so.
Step 7: Check the Smoke
If the smoker has been cleaned properly, the smoke coming from it the first time you fire it up should be a thin, blue smoke. This blue smoke is what helps flavor the meat. But the smoke should be coming from dry wood chips. There is no need to soak before smoking.
Step 8: Smoke the Ribs
Place the racks of ribs in the smoker, close the door, and remember to adjust the temperature to 225 degrees. Don’t open the door or recheck the ribs for 4 hours. This initial cooking time and the brown sugar in the rub will create good bark on the ribs.
After four hours of smoking, mop or baste the ribs every 30 minutes for the next 2 hours. This keeps the ribs moist and enhances the bark. Then After 6 hours of smoking, remove the ribs, place them in a deep aluminum pan, and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
The ribs are done when they pull away easily from the bone. To be extra safe, use an instant digital read thermometer to be sure that the meat’s internal temperature is above 145 degrees.
After a good bark has formed, mopping the ribs will ensure the ribs stay moist and tender during the remaining cooking time. Don’t skip this step. You’ll love the results! This is about my cooking recipe, and you will know how to cook ribs on Electric Smoker.
How Long to Smoke Ribs in Electric Smoker?
Easily smoke the ribs in an electric smoker. Set the smoker to 225 F and use the following method. After six hours of smoking, you will get a fantastic result from cooking your ribs in an electric smoker.
1: Directions
Preheat your smoker and fill the water pan with water and the smoker box with wood chips. Hickory and mesquite are popular wood chips for smoking ribs but don’t limit yourself. Try new wood as well as combinations.
You can combine mesquite with hickory or fruit wood to reduce the bitterness and for extra flavor. Hickory had different types of flavors. You had to know about these flavors before cooking your ribs.
While the smoker preheats, prepare the ribs. Remove membrane from the ribs so your spices and seasonings can flavor the meat. Once you’ve rubbed the ribs, they are ready for the smoker and the given Methods below.
2: Methods for Smoking Ribs
Smoke your ribs directly on the racks for 3 hours at 225°F.
Remove the ribs from the racks and tightly wrap them in aluminum foil. Before closing the aluminum foil pocket, pour a little apple juice, wine, beer, or any other favorite flavor (about 1/8 of a cup) into the packet to enhance the steam process.
This will help tenderize the ribs. Place them back in the smoker for 2 hours.
Remove the ribs and liberally coat both sides of the ribs with BBQ sauce. Put the ribs directly on the racks for 1 hour.
These methods work well for 2 to 3 racks of ribs. If you are smoking only 1 rack, you may find the ribs to be done before the 6-hour mark. For 1 or 2 smaller racks, a 2-2-1 method might work better.
How Long to Smoke Baby Back Ribs in Electric Smoker?
I often used this recipe for cooking and smoking baby back ribs in an electric smoker. First of all, preheat your smoker to 225. Mix ingredients to create a rub seasoning. Apply dry rub to the ribs and let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Ingredients
2 teaspoons of Black Pepper
2 teaspoons Cayenne Pepper
2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
1 ½ teaspoon Ground Cumin
2 teaspoons of Onion Powder
2 ½ teaspoons Chili Powder
¼ Cup Brown Sugar
½ tablespoon Salt
Now place baby back ribs in an electric smoker and cook for 3 hours. After three hours, remove the ribs and wrap them in heavy-duty Aluminum foil. Return to smoker and cook for an additional 1-1 ½ hours or until internal temperature reaches 160F.
FAQs- How to Cook Ribs on Electric Smoker?
How Long to Smoke Ribs at 275 in Electric Smoker?
First, set your smoker at 275, then place a rack of ribs in an electric smoker and smoke them for 2 hours. After 2 hours, pull out the ribs, pack them with aluminum foil, and place them again for 1 hour.
After the two hours of smoking unwrapped and the 1 hour of smoking wrapped, you should be able to tell if the ribs are done because the bones will now be exposed and pulled away slightly from the edges.
Final Remarks
Cooking and smoking ribs become easy because of the electric smoker and more quickly if you know how to cook ribs on electric smoker. In this blog, I share different cooking, smoking, and preparing ribs recipes in an electric smoker. I hope these step-by-step recipes will be helpful for you in cooking ribs in Electric Smoker.