Competition Style Baby Back Ribs on our Custom Gateway Drum Smoker | Heath Riles BBQ

brown sugar

🥗Healthier: coconut sugar

💰Cheaper: white sugar

Coconut sugar is less processed and has a lower glycemic index.

barbecue sauce

🥗Healthier: homemade sauce

💰Cheaper: ketchup + vinegar

Homemade sauce can be lower in sugar and preservatives.

Trim off excess fat from the ribs.

Put on a glove and apply yellow mustard to the ribs as a binder.

Sprinkle garlic jalapeno rub generously on one side of the ribs, then flip and apply the same rub to the other side.

Preheat the Gateway drum smoker to 300°F (149°C) using lump charcoal and tumbleweeds.

Place the ribs in the smoker and close the lid to maintain temperature.

After 20 minutes, check the ribs and rotate them to ensure even cooking.

After another 20 minutes, check the ribs again for moisture and turn them over to sizzle the fat.

Continue cooking for another 15-20 minutes and prepare to wrap the ribs.

Mix 16 oz of water with butter in a shaker for the butter bath.

Lay the ribs in a tray lined with foil and pour the butter bath over them before wrapping.

Wrap the ribs tightly in foil and return them to the smoker.

After 30 minutes, check and spin the ribs around for even cooking.

After another 20 minutes, check the ribs again.

Prepare a sauce by mixing half a cup of sweet barbecue sauce with half a cup of apple habanero glaze.

Once the ribs are done, remove them from the smoker and let them rest.

Paint the sauce on the ribs and return them to the smoker to caramelize the sauce.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: