Expert: John Langenfelder - 5/28/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hey, I tend to do everything right when I'm smoking ribs. There nice and tender
from being smoked for about 6-7 hours under low heat. But I'm having a
problem with them having a charred taste, what can I do about this problem?

ANSWER: The first thing that comes to mind is what kind of rub are you using and are you putting a sauce on them?  If the rub is high in sugar, the sugar will burn giving that charred taste.  Same as with the sauce.  If you are saucing them too early that also will burn.  Saucing should only be done during the last hour.  

Are you on direct heat or indirect?  Indirect heat is what you want.

Try placing a foil container of water or apple juice or beer (or just about any drinkable liquid) between the heat and the ribs.  This will help keep the ribs moist.

Other than this I would need a more detailed description of your entire process, from prepping to cooking.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: 1st, I will check the ingredients of the rub. I don't put sauce on at all, I do a
light mist spray of 60% apple cider 40% vinegar, My heat is approx. 22 inches to
the right of my ribs.

Answer
the heat sounds good.  I would still suggest putting a pan of liquid between the heat and the ribs.  Also try just using apple juice with out the vinegar.

Of course a lot of people like the charring, but if the entire outside is really charred than that is a problem.  But is it charring or just blackening caused by the rub which is called a crust.  

Also make sure that you cooking the ribs, bone side down.  Don't bother to flip them.  Also try putting them in some foil for the last 2 hours with a spray of apple juice.  For the most part 6-7 hours is a long time to cook ribs, but it depends on the temperature.  You did mention low and slow so i assume you are doing around 225-250.Generally we do our ribs about 240 for 5-6 hours.