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Smoked Spareribs on a Bubba Keg Grill

St. Loius Style

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My second low and slow cook was spareribs on a Bubba Keg Grill. After my slight problem with beer butt chicken, I was a little wary. Decided I was definitely not using a water pan in a Bubba Keg again. No one had recommended it, so I'm not sure why I did it other than I was following a WSM recipe. Live and learn.

I was pretty excited to cook ribs again, and even more excited that it wouldn't take the effort it does on my Char-griller Super Pro with Side Fire Box. All I was going to have to do was prep my ribs, get the Bubba Keg up to temp (250'ish) and let her rip for about 4 hours. Actually, I wasn't sure of the time required because things seem to cook quicker in a Keg.

Preparing the Spareribs - I purchased two pork spareribs at my local grocery store. Nothing fancy. They were about 4 pounds a piece. I had decided to do this St. Louis style since I don't like dealing with all of the excess gristle and meat.

Here is a good video by Chris Allingham of the VirtualWeberBullet (TVWB)website which is the procedure I used for preparing the ribs St. Louis style. This website is full of good information, even if you're not using a Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker

Preparing the Rub - Once again, I found my favorite rub at the TVWB site and I've pretty much stuck with it. It's called Best Ribs in the Universe Rub and I like it. I add a little extra Cayenne to it :)

One thing I would recommend is that you don't coat the ribs too thick with this rub when smoking spareribs on a Bubba Keg grill, or any other smoker. I love the taste, but my wife was shaking her head because I was sneezing as I took my first bite. It was awfully good, but it does tend to hide just how good the meat tastes.

So, basically, I went crazy applying the rub, as I often do. Don't follow my example from this round of smoking spareribs on a Bubba Keg grill.

Spareribs before the Bubba Keg Grill

Preparing the Bubba Keg Grill - Unlike the last time, I put a bit more lump charcoal in there because I had read a forum post about loading it up with no problem. On the other hand, I've read that going above the air holes blocks the airflow. So, I was going to see what happened. I didn't go hog wild, but I wanted to see how much fuel was remaining after the ribs to determine whether doing a brisket was even going to be possible down the road.

The last time I did a low and slow, I got it to 250 and had the bottom vent cracked a dime width. The top was barely a sliver and it was fine. This time the added fuel must have reduced the airflow and the Keg dropped to 200 F in the first hour (I wasn't watching it). I had to get it re-lit and back up to 250 F. This time, I left the bottom vent close to the "1" position and gave the top some more "crack".

Eventually, I had to reduce them again as it climbed to 300 F, but it finally settled down at 250 F. This thing is amazingly efficient. I was having fun smoking spareribs on a Bubba Keg grill.

At the 2 hour mark (spareribs on a Bubba Keg Grill) of cooking spareribs on a Bubba Keg grill, I opened the lid and sprayed apple juice on the ribs. I also inhaled deeply and my stomach started to growl! Man, I can't explain how good it smells to someone who has never smoked ribs before. There's no going back for me.

Anyway, the cook was going well, the temperature was under control and all I had to do was make sure I didn't overcook them. I had a sneaking suspicion that they would be done before the 4 hour mark.

At the 3 hour mark (spareribs on a Bubba Keg Grill) I opened the lid again. The excuse was to spray apple juice on them. But the reality is that I need to smell those spareribs again! MAN!

At the 3 hour 45 minute mark (spareribs on a Bubba Keg Grill) I did a tear test (and I ate it!) and it was so perfect I can't tell you. All I can do is show you. Too bad for you! The ribs were so tender at this point that they could almost be called "falling off the bone", but the didn't. My teeth help them, but not much.

Spareribs finished on the Bubba Keg

I left one rack with no BBQ sauce and I did a light coating of Montgomery Inn's BBQ Sauce on the other. Since the rub was fairly spicy, this sweet BBQ sauce was the perfect compliment (for me).

That pink color isn't because it's not done. That's from the smoke. Prettiest thing I've ever seen!

Spareribs sliced after the Bubba Keg

I'm finally ready to eat. Just need to get it on the plate. I added a little summer slaw and was ready to eat. You don't want to see pictures of that, I can assure you.

Plated Spareribs with summer slaw

Highlights of St. Loius style Spareribs on a Bubba Keg Grill

Once the temperature was set, it was pretty easy to maintain
I did NOT use a water pan this time but did use my Big Green Egg plate setter as a heat diffuser. Works perfectly.
I put too much rub on and my wife made faces at me.
The ribs came out perfectly with little fuss on my part
I loved smoking spareribs on a Bubba Keg Grill

The Bubba Keg Grill is now available from Home Depot, both in the store an online. In fact, you can order online and pick it up at your local store.