The Rise and Fall of the 3-2-1 Ribs

[@MadScientistBBQ]

Get Entered to WIN this Franklin Barbecue Pit go.getenteredtowin.com/madscientistbbq DEADLINE to ENTER is 09/15/23 @ 11:59pm (PST).

[@CraftyZA]

This is refreshing to hear. I'm in South Africa. When we buy any form of MURICAN bbq rubs or basting/marinades they are dreadfully sweet. Salt & Pepper is king in my palate. For a long time I believed US is so addicted to sugar that every single household makes it a staple to their main dinner as well every day. Sometimes a littlebit of sweetness is okey on meat. But the rubs and marinades I tried from the states were almost just dunking meat in corn syrup and cooking it.

[@NuttyElf]

Love the giveaway, don't love the website, super upselly with the subscription and such. I would rather directly do a patreon thing or something similar. It has like two "but wait if you spend more you can get 5x the entries, and if you subscribe you get 10x entries"

[@staffordduecker665]

I make my own rubs for this very reason. It ain't rocket science...@@CraftyZA

[@rigs3834]

I wish I could but you aren't shipping that to the UK 😢

[@rogeraddy6846]

Requiring a purchase makes this a raffle, not a give-away. You might want to modify your contest to protect yourself.

[@-EchoesIntoEternity-]

there is only one rule i follow in BBQ, its ready when its ready. aint nothing set in stone.

[@rodneypratt4324]

Church

[@SilentEdgeTv]

Preach

[@matthoward123]

I can tell you're authentic by the way you use "aint nothing"

[@Ryan-xq3kl]

this is so true and also untrue at the same time 😂

[@dochaze1]

@@Ryan-xq3klyeah, the 321 is a cooking method to get to temp. Not necessarily a flavoring method. I’ve done it both ways depending on my time constraints but same flavoring and it doesn’t change much. You can force things done faster if needed with more time or heat in the foil, though the open more lower and slower will generally yield better texture.

[@crookedpinebbq9101]

@MadScientistBBQ Thanks for the shoutout! There is a very good reason why the average Joe backyard enthusiast like myself have much more knowledge. It’s because of you and people like you creating incredibly educational content. So thank you for that.

[@berniestewart1738]

From watching and paying attention to his stuff I have definitely learned that the larger the smoker the easier it is to keep a consistent temperature.

[@JWFas]

I initially did the 3-2-1 method because that was the "conventional" wisdom, but the ribs came out overcooked. Now I'm a proponent of the 4-and-1 (up to 1.5) method. Four hours at 225F uncovered. Then I wrap in butcher paper meat side down with smoked lard in the wrap. It takes another 1-1.5 hours before the ribs are tender enough. It yields a smokier rib without overcooking it.

[@rhythmgtr5]

Is there a video where @MadScientistBBQ discusses the smoked lard and butcher paper method?

[@praetorxyn]

I never did 3-2-1. I learned to cook ribs from Malcolm Reed's method, so I've basically always just smoked them at 250-275 until the bark is set (typically takes 3-4 hours), wrapped them with pats of butter or something in there and cooked until tender (typically takes about 1-2 hours), then glaze them and put them back on til the sauce tacks up (typically about 15 minutes tops).

[@Splootzi]

This is very similar to what I do. I started with 3-2-1 to learn and now its at a 4-2 and then just tack up the sauce. Works everytime. You get a nice bite and they are still so tender.

[@antoniotinoco7328]

When I do that the bark is a little too stiff and the meat falls apart when cutting into it :(. Tips?

[@praetorxyn]

@@antoniotinoco7328 What are you cooking on, how, and at what temp? I cook on the SnS Kamado using the Slow N Sear, so the heat is coming down on top of the ribs. The Malcolm Reed video I learned from, he used a Pit Barrel, where the heat comes up from the bottom but is at a high distance, and he used some aluminum foil as a heat shield. In a traditional kamado the heat would also be from the bottom, but coming up much closer, and around the heat deflector it might overcook the edges. But what I've been doing lately is: 1. Remove the membrane with a paper towel 2. Slather the back with yellow mustard and season with whatever I'm using, let it hang out for about 15 minutes. 3. Flip the rack over, slather the presentation side with yellow mustard and season, let it hang out for about 15 minutes. 4. Put the rack on at about 250 grate level. 5. Check them every hour, and if anywhere is drying out, spritz it with a 50/50 mixture of water and Apple Cider Vinegar. 6. When the bark is set, put down two layers of long heavy duty aluminum foil, and take two sticks of Kerrygold butter quartered. Put down 4 quarters evenly spaced out, put the ribs meat side down on them, then put the other four quarters on the back of the ribs spaced out, wrap tightly, and put back on the smoker. 7. Let them ride an hour, then open the foil and use an instant read thermometer to check the back of them. If you get a temp of about 200-202, they should be tender. If not, check them about every half hour until they are. 8. When they're tender, take them out of the foil and put them meat side down, glaze, let it tack up a few minutes. Then flip them over, glaze, let it tack up a few minutes. 9. Let them rest about 10 minutes before you slice them.

[@CoalTrain722]

@@antoniotinoco7328 I've found that the amount of time spent wrapped in foil greatly affects the tenderness. If you like "fall off the bone" let the ribs sit in the foil for longer (~1.5-2hrs). Conversely, pull em out of the foil earlier (~1hr or so) if you want a bit more bite to the meat. Time and temperature can aid in giving you a ballpark for the cook, but the most important thing is the feel. Poke your ribs with a thermometer/probe after an hour and see if thats the tenderness you want em to be.

[@Splootzi]

@@antoniotinoco7328 The time is just a general rule for me, I always watch my temps of the actual ribs. Sometimes they dont make it the full 4 hours unwrapped and the full 2 hours wrapped. Depends on the cut of ribs, how big your smoker is and how humid it is outside. I found that outside humidity effects ribs more than most other cuts of meat. Not sciencey, just an observation of shorter cooking times when its super humid outside. Always trust the poke and pull test to find out when you need to pull each set of ribs.

[@dennisbower]

The “Mad Scientist” method for the win tonight at my house. Smoked for 4-5ish hours (until good color), wrapped with nothing, then “foil raft 😂” to set sauce and win. My family of six destroyed 2 racks of full spares in minutes - even the kid who only eats chicken nuggets loved these ribs. Thank you sir!

[@metalsteel5631]

i could destroy a whole rack by myself in 5 min

[@BMF6889]

I'm 77 years old and many years ago I used and off-set smoker. Then I was watching Cooking with Ry when he was using an electric smoker (among many other kinds) and I thought well he gets very good results so I'll try an electric cooker so I didn't have to fiddle with adjusting the temperature so much. But I didn't like the results. So I started smoking my ribs on a Weber grill. The temperature still needed a lot of TLC and while great for burgers and steaks, it wasn't the smoker I wanted. Then I bought a Trager smoker. I had OK results but everything seemed over cooked even though I was following BBQ recipes. But it had a lot more smoke flavor than either the Weber or the Electric but not as good as the off-set I used to cook on. Maybe if I had cooked a thousand ribs on the off-set I could have managed the temperature better, but I always ended up in a chair near the smoker to keep the temperature where I wanted it and when it got too high it took a long time to bring it back down and then it would get too low and it took a long time to get it back up. The same thing with the Weber grill. So I thought a pellet smoker would help manage the temperature more consistently and according to the gauge it did, but everything seemed a bit over cooked. I'm glad you mentioned that pellet smokers tend to cook higher than the indicated temperature, so next time instead of setting the temperature at the recommended 250, I'll set it to 225, etc. We'll see, but so far my old off-set smoker of many years ago made the best ribs with the most amount of attention during the cook. I'll see if lowering the temperature on my pellet smoker makes them more tender instead of over cooked. I would buy another off-set, but my wife is diabetic and doesn't like meat with fat, so that is a limiting factor since we don't have kid and almost all of our friends have died. But she did like the smoked salmon I made on the pellet smoker but it too was a little over cooked but enjoyable. So when I smoke ribs or anything else, it's basically for myself as my wife will only have like one rib or just a small piece of salmon. As far as I'm concerned left over ribs or anything else isn't nearly as enjoyable. Here is a recommendation / challenge for you. Whether it's your channel, Cooking with Ry, How to BBQ Right, etc. not one of them has ever addressed left over anything and all of the channels cook for what seems like a family / friends of a dozen people. What do you all do with the left overs????????? To by the looks, you all eat everything you cook. You / they all look overweight. Maybe I'm biased and I'm certainly not a nutritionist, but I served 21 years in the US Marine Corps as an infantry officer with 3 years in combat. I had to be in top physical condition those entire 21 years and so after I retired from the Marine Corps, I had a habit of staying in shape by working out and watching what I eat. As I grew older, I cut my calories and changed my diet. As I said, I'm 77 years old now and I still weight the same as when I was a captain in the Marines. It's not all distributed the same and I've lost muscle mass, and I have arthritis and other issues, but I'm it pretty good health for what I've gone through in life. I not only was a Marine for 21 years with 3 years in combat, but I was a private pilot with commercial and instrument ratings, I took basic / medium / advanced aerobatic. I was a glider pilot. I was a sky diver. I was a wreck diver and underwater photographer. I was a sailor. I was a motorcycle touring enthusiast. I was a free rock climber. I was a X-country skier and winter camper. I enjoyed target practice with both pistols and rifles including muzzle loading black powder pistols and muskets. I played golf and finger picking Mississippi Delta Blues on guitar. I was a military historian and found relics of the Revolutionary and Civil War based on historical documents and studies of the maps of the time (Note: I never recovered relics on government parks nor on no trespassing posted lands. Perhaps the most difficult part of my life were my two marriages. My first wife cheated on me. My second wife has been difficult to please sometimes, but we've been married for 44 years. BTW, you wife is beautiful and you really need to lose a few pounds to compete with her. You giving the paleo diet a bad name.

[@Perceptious37]

that 3-2-1 rib you cooked is perfect for me. super tender and almost fall off the bone but there is still enough proteins not completely broken down to keep that big loose piece together at 25:21. the 3-2-1 process is great, you dont have to use all the spices and sugar and other additives of the original 3-2-1 way. Use the process and season as you see fit. you can do it with salt & pepper for the 3 hours, then adding only tallow/shortening in the 2 hour wrap kinda like brisket, and use what ever you want on the final hour cook. Add a dry rub to create a crust, add a glaze to make it sticky and sweet but not too saucy, keep saucing it with bbq if you want that sticky reduced bbq sauce on the outside, do what ever you want. Also, you can make amazing asian ribs subsituting the 3-2-1 ingredients with more asian flavors like soy over woch, adding some mirin and sriracha, use salt pepper and all spice as the base rub. 3-2-1 is a great place to start but there is nothing against the law of you changing a process to fit your tastes. the 3-2-1 is a great mnemonic to make the process easy to recall without much thought.

[@HVACRTECH-83]

But it hardly ever works,too many variables if you're gunna wrap at all, wrap when you get to the color you like,butcher paper for the real deal, or no wrap at all. If my ribs are looking perfect and feeling like they arnt drying out I will let them rock without the paper. Just spritz. Depends on the rack at the time. Also you can cook a perfect rack of say st Lois cut in about 4.5 to5 hours at 275to 300f without any loss in tenderness or juicyness. Try it

[@bradgreen8739]

I COMPLETELY agree... my 3-2-1 on the Traeger were turning into pulled pork. Now go 2 hours at 225, 1 hour wrapped in foil at 250 for 1 hour, 30-45 w sauce to tack them up. I know Jeremy hates Traegers, but it's good for me!

[@mycaddigo]

Yup … 1 Size fits all is going to always have flaws …..it simply depends on how thick the ribs are … For baby back you would do some Thing like 1-1-1

[@JB-171]

I go three hours at 180 on the Traeger and wrap for two at 225 with a little brown sugar and a little apple juice. Sauce for30-40 mins. Juicy, tender but still on the bone and definitely not falling off.

[@pdxwino]

@@JB-171I use this exact same method. Long smoke at low temp before wrapping.

[@golfballwhisperer4643]

Jeremy, this method def gave me a better bark than the 3-2-1. Labor Day 3 racks all with different rubs on my Green Mtn Pellet Grill. Smoked at 210 for 4-1/2 ish hours, then wrapped with just a couple ounces of apple juice for 40 minutes. Then took the wrap and turned it into the foil pontoon, glazed and held it there until my peeps were done in the pool. Nice bark, crazy smoke ring, juicy throughout, and a clean bite without falling off the bone..(the bonus of the lower temp, I was able to smoke some yeallowtail for fish dip at the same time Perfect! ) Thanks for the video !

[@sburton982]

Great job at explaining and execution of both slabs of ribs and smoker, me being brought up in Miami Dade Florida, we don't even wrap our ribs down here, we just let them go slow and low,but I have to admit that I tried your smoked lard on them with nothing but salt and pepper and they actually have a better taste, thank you Jeremy for sharing your stream and ideas with us, we appreciate it a lot, and as for your wife she is very slim still, mine has gained 30 pounds eating my ribs..lol shh don't tell her 😂, thank you again and I hope that you have a blessed day or night 🙏

[@Kellysnorthshore]

You are the only chef who has ever mentioned that there is a difference in heat between an offset and pellet grill. Sure wish I knew that back in the day! Haha I started smoking 6-7 years ago and I found Malcom Reids Channel, How To BBQ Right and thats were I learned the 3, 2, 1 method. But like ALL recipes I had to mode it for taste and grill. Tossed many a rib back in the day while learning. You are 1000% right, there is so much more information out there to help people get started. I only remember Macon and Franklin back when I started. Great job as always!

[@All2Skitzd]

I feel like my pellet grill has too much convection but yeah I definitely have to adjust my cooks even going from offset to charcoal smoker

[@stampdealer]

Thanks for the tip about adjusting pellet grill temps downwards! I was planning to do a couple of racks of ribs for the first time on my new PB this weekend, so I will roll with 200 deg.

[@barbru3598]

The 3-2-1 method is to BBQ as paint by numbers is to art. One produces a pretty picture and the other a masterpiece.

[@8Nguy1948]

The look of pure joy on Jeremy's face when he bites into the ribs makes the video worth watching all by itself .

[@hennyvincent420]

Best moment of video...21:29 Erica "What's a foil raft?" Jeremy"Same as a foil boat, but gets under Chuds skin" Love it 😂😂😂

[@hennyvincent420]

@MadScientistBBQ1 Getting a highlighted reply makes me a winner in my book . Keep you the amazing everything you do (& Erica for superb work 👏)

[@Theoutdoorjunkie]

@@hennyvincent420 sorry but thats a bot trying to scam you andactually not him

[@MarxAA]

So glad you made this video! I’ve found myself becoming weary of my 3-2-1 ribs. Been trying different sauces and rubs, trying to spice em up hotter🌶️ but just haven’t got that classic Smokey flavor and now I know why! Time to ditch it. Lol Thanks Jeremy!🙌🏼

[@3eggerfpv397]

Great video! For those of us that haven't cooked thousands of ribs, it would be nice if you used that Thermapen and gave us a reading on those ribs! It just gives a beginner something to go by so that they know they're kinda on the right track, or not!!

[@tandbisquets6262]

If you grab a tooth pick and probe around and it goes in like butter they're done 😁 Thermapen around 197 - 205 is a good temp to go by also

[@bbantel]

I go by the "bend test" - perfect ribs everytime.

[@xChubaludx]

I always figured it would be hard to gauge proper temp on ribs because bones will always read hotter than meat, and ribs are mostly bone

[@3eggerfpv397]

@@xChubaludx - True, but almost every Pitmasters episode I've seen, they all temp their ribs!!

[@LittleMountainLife]

Fantastic timing! Think I’ll run this same experiment this weekend for the birthday party I’m hosting.

[@AussieCanada]

I was doing 3-2-1 for years but now find cooking at 275 degrees for 2.5 unwrapped / 1.5 wrapped / 0.25 for adding sauce…. They always turn out perfect !!!

[@juanreynoso9653]

I used to use the 321 I have a pellet smoker and now I do a 4-1-30 at 225° but the one hour I go to 300 wrapped him, and I check him after half an hour works every time nice and firm and plenty of smoke. Great video. Thank you.

[@jjetmartinez]

You may have already done this or on patreon.... but a video on the process of building a catering business would be awesome seems like your path was at home BBQ, novice, learning, cooking, testing BBQ at home, BBQ classes, BBQ pop-ups leading to catering...etc... history and lessons learned from all that would be fun to hear about...

[@WalkingSned]

Jeremy, you are the GOAT! I’ve learned more about BBQ from you than anyone else on the internet. I never wrap. Always a great bark & bite, although your 4.5/.5/.5 look great! IF I sauce, its highly acidic and not sweet (apple cider vinegar, a little brown sugar, puréed Muir Glenn fire roasted tomatoes, garlic, onion). Agree on the simple rub. S-P-G + a little paprika for color can’t be beaten.

[@All2Skitzd]

He helped me go from luck to skill with my BBQ.

[@tranceformer110]

I’ve settled on 3ish hours in smoke then wrapped in butcher paper until around 190 IT…which usually takes around 3 hours depending on the size of the rack.

[@TandemTuba]

That experimentation with the popups was some seriously savvy shit. That's how you up your game.

[@AnotherOverTaxedTaxPayer]

I wish you would do "improving pellet smoking" videos. I have the Pitboss 1150 Pro and hardly get any smoke flavor or bark. I kinda regret going with a pellet smoker at this point.

[@jwilson2536]

"It wuz ata funny angle. Tyrone, it wuz right behind you." Love that movie. Great video.

[@shortcircuit7310]

Both Erica and Jeremy looking great, guys gotta be working out lots. Erica's arms seriously on point !

[@SuperFrooty]

I've been doing your 4 hour, wrap + smoked tallow version since I saw it. LOVE. I also love the BTS movie quotes and general personality weirdness; nice addition to your vids.

[@lyleswavel320]

Last time I did heavy pepper and a little salt and pork red rub, but cut out the butter, brown sugar and honey, just glazed in last hour and liked it best

[@aaronh888]

321 always seems to work for me and my guests so as long as it's easy, I'm going to keep using it

[@rickbecker3239]

The increased knowledge of barbecue community members is due in large part to good folks like you who make the time to share with us. Thank you! Also, I was fascinated later in the video when you and Erica discuss a method using lard as an option (rather than butter I presume) among your rib recipes. We have lost sight of that key cooking ingredient which was part of our forefather's diet and helped pioneers survive arduous cross country travel and many hungry Americans during the great depression when food was scarce. Thanks again.

[@bbrock460200]

Great info. I quit the 321 method probably 3 or 4 years ago. Mainly use a 130gal offset but also use a pellet smoker when busy. And the Snatch reference is gold!

[@sandygivens4748]

I think for the newbie, 321 ribs are perfect! It’s a very clear precise recipe to follow. Once you get that down, the world is your oyster! And you can take off and try a lot of other variations to see what your family prefers. We are team 4 to 6 hours, no wrap. Although I am going to try some lard and wrap on my next cook.

[@eyesforthewise]

Good call on the lard. Thank you

[@DebianDog]

Smoked Oysters you say? 🤔

[@bigbuckeyes]

i've had absolutely no issues with no-wrap ribs, and have had no reason to experiment with wrapping in the process. Best ribs I've ever had are the ones I've made. Just smoke them at 250ish. Once the bark is set (around 4 hours) spray with ACV/Apple juice. Once the ribs are almost set, I'll spread a thin layer of sauce on it. Once they're nearly done (5-6 hours in the end, depending on the ribs) using the bend test, I'll finish them on a hot grill (with another thin layer of sauce on both sides). If they're not ready to be served yet, I'll wrap at this point, and finish on the hot grill to get back to temp and finish with the sauce. Never had any issues with a lack of juiciness, nor too much smoke. Perfect bone pull, not too tight but not falling off the bone like they're boiled.

[@Xhilong]

The 3-2-1 is great for someone new. Give them a good starting point, then they can adjust depending how their cooker works and or what they are going for.

[@buildshow]

New subscriber here and loving your content! I just got a Yoder Pellet Smoker and I’m excited for all your recommendations. I’m doing your ribs today, your pulled pork method tomorrow. Keep up the great content!

[@MadScientistBBQ]

Thanks!! I really appreciate it! Bbq is a lot of fun, especially if you like to tinker

[@ewfunnell]

When I was new to smoking I found 3-2-1 to be a great base point to get started. Having no idea on how to smoke I needed a starting point. 3-2-1 was that starting point. It gave a me a specific way to reach the same result time after time. From there I started experimenting. Now, just like you, I have my owe preferred way of smoking my ribs. But I would not have gotten there without 3-2-1.

[@Subdood04]

It’s a good day because I learned something. Didn’t realize the offset in temp between the large offset and the PitBoss. That explains a lot how my first set of ribs using your method were drier than expected! Used the lard as well. I also over salted a lot! They were ok, but a tad dry and salty. I also prefer the neat bite mark clean bone doneness test. And I prefer to sauce ribs myself after. Thanks! And Snatch was an amazing movie!

[@MarcoAPared]

Had no clue about this temp difference - really useful!

[@ezrawyschogrod3468]

“Steak before cake” is clearly the T-shirt that Jeremy needs to commodify for the masses

[@ericayoder2436]

That's what I said :) :)

[@johnnybray5006]

I'm not an American style BBQ guy, although I love American BBQ. I'm from South Africa and travelled some, and learned a lot along the way... I have long ago given up on the 3-2-1 method... it can work sometimes, but as a rule of thumb, it's a no go.

[@SkullandMortar]

Totally agree man. I got a lot of crap on my channel's comments or other social medias for saying 321 wasn't the way.

[@alp414]

I began using 3-2-1 with my pellet grill and after the third time I decided it was way too long and ribs were over cooked. Definitely agree with your assessment regarding pellets.

[@cslack19]

Snatch is one of my favorite movies along with Lock Stock and 2 smokin barrels!! Love the video as well. I’m entered and ready to get my Franklin pit. 😅😅

[@gmania69]

Excellent comparison. I’m doing St. Louis today on GMG pellet. Running 250 for 2-3 hours. Wrap for 1-2. Tach sauce and see.

[@189pinto]

First time I've seen any of your content. Fantastic. I might just have to find you on Patreon.

[@mortcs]

Traeger also pushed the 321 ribs on their website back when I got my first pellet smoker. So a bunch of newbies with their new traeger like me probably latched onto this method.

[@jniffen]

I did the 3-2-1 method unintentionally on my Traeger on a set of spareribs, and they turned out great. My wife said that they were the best ribs she’s ever had, and she’s not that big on ribs.

[@MrMoosefire]

I started cooking 3-2-1 ribs years ago. Great way to dip your toes into ribs, and easily adaptable. These days I seem to run around 4.5-5 straight hours on the smoke (pellet smoker) then wrap for 30-60 minutes until it gets a little tender. Pull out long enough to get the sauce tacky then they're done. But I prefer more of a smoke flavor on my ribs, which is harder on the pellet smoker

[@jmaverick]

What temp are you cooking at on your pellet smoker?

[@MrMoosefire]

@jmaverick I shoot for around 225-250. My smoker doesn't keep very accurate temps because the sensor is going bad so I use a temp probe on the same grate that my ribs are on

[@jmaverick]

@@MrMoosefire thank you

[@scottL9111]

Now I've got to smoke me some ribs today! I love how you explain the science and reason behind things so that I can truly understand why I am doing something. I have both a stick burner and a pellet smoker and you just explain to me why I need to lower the temp on my pellet smoker and why I have to use a lower temp than somebody who's using a 500 gallon smoker since my reverse flow stick burner is only 36 inches long.

[@maxa2826]

On pellet grill, I like 4 hours on the smoke at 250, then sauce and glaze for 30min at 375. Then wrap and let rest at 160 for an hour.

[@andrewwebster13]

Local place in upstate New York completely uses charcoal grill direct heat. There lemon garlic ribs are even better than the barbecue ones. Got that charred taste.

[@timothydunlap7856]

This was a great video. I have a Franklin pit and I cook the best bbq I’ve ever cooked in the last 30 years. The smoke flavor is amazing, but I found that if you use kiln dried wood you don’t get the great smoke that happens when using properly seasoned wood. I really look forward to seeing more videos using the Franklin pit. I used to cook ribs using all the sweet stuff, but I now use salt and pepper only. Your comparison of 3-2-1 to another method was spot on. Thanks for all the videos you do. They are really great!

[@tony8354586]

Tim, are you happy with the amount of smoke your getting from the Franklin? Arron stated that he built the Pitt that you get ALOT of air flow from the firebox door that you can’t control since it has permanent hole’s…I’m looking at this and others…

[@timothydunlap7856]

@@tony8354586 I do get good smoke, but you need seasoned fire wood. The kiln dried wood you purchase at stores does not produce as much smoke as you need, but is good to get your fire started. I use pecan. Sorry for the late response, I just saw this.

[@mtminded4498]

Excellent video quality, especially the lighting. Top notch production value. Good BBQ content also 🙂

[@Letsroll000]

I hooked onto Heath Riles method of ribs number of years ago with his butter bath and I can't see it getting better. But hands down I reference your video when I do Brisket, Your methods rock, I have never made a bad brisket. I like your approach and reasoning behind your tips and methods you recommend. Huge fan here!

[@spongebobbies]

3-2-1 is my family go to! When BBQin for the family they want all the tenderness and flavors possible. Cheers

[@kadegreen5356]

I started with doing 3 2 1. Now I just do 3-4 hours in the pellet grill. And then however long wrapped in the oven to get to 202 degrees.

[@edwardpate6128]

I still use the 3-2-1 but rather than foil I wrap them in butcher paper to let them breath a bit. I swear by my CharGriller Akorn low and slow!

[@JA-jr2vf]

Jeremy, on top of the BBQ vids, I enjoy your random imitations and movie references. I loved the "Snatch" reference. I gotta say I'm terribly partial to the periwinkle blue.

[@seantarbell3088]

I bought a pellet grill a few years ago and I definitely over cooked some ribs with the 321 method. I do like the ribs best cooked with salt and pepper and sometimes a light glaze at the end. I really learned a lot about barbecue from your show Jeremy thanks!

[@tmdillon1969]

Amen! I bought a Green Mountain during the COVID shutdown. I really like it but it's very, very easy to go from a little too firm to dry and overdone. I need to get some bricks and put a grate up a few inches from the main grate.

[@kekoadavidson581]

I just bought a pit boss Savannah. I did 321 and smoked 3 ribs. The rib closest to the chimney stack was over cooked and the higher two were perfect. Temp is also apart of this as the over cooked one was 250-275 and the perfect were 225-250. I’m going to do 311 and check for doneness every 15 in the last hour.

[@joeweaver9913]

I don't know how it's possible to overlook them with 3 2 1. I usually do more like 4 hrs smoke, 2 hrs or more in foil until tender, then 30 minutes to an hour with a little sauce on. I never finish in under 6 hrs at 225

[@tmdillon1969]

@joeweaver9913 probably different brands and different models have markedly different cooking characteristics. If I followed your plan on my pellet smoker they'd be toast.

[@joeweaver9913]

@@tmdillon1969 could be. I have a pit boss pro vertical smoker. It's a good size. I can do 2 briskets and 4 pork butts at the same time for a big shindig

[@mikeh4613]

Looking buff dude. Your videos are the best on the tube. Thanks for everything.

[@Mackster29]

4.5 0.5 0.5 method has changed me. This is the only way we smoke ribs now. Not too sweet, just perfect. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@907jl]

I agree, the 321 method under smokes, and over cooks ribs. Two hours wrapped turns them into mush. I just smoke as long as it takes to just start to get some pull back( generally 4-5 hours ), wrap for 45 minutes or so, and then back in for 30 minutes or so unwrapped to finish. Sauce if you like.

[@bjlutrus3354]

“. . . It’s a foil boat, but you don’t call it a foil boat to get under Chud’s skin.” 😂😂😂

[@The1davidb]

I got into bbq and smoked meat about 10 years ago when my Dad gave me his old Traeger. I have moved on from that and have cooked all kinds of meat. My favorite is ribs, but I have never tried the 3-2-1 method…truthfully. I watch a lot of videos by a lot of different people and I’ve learned a ton. I like a simpler rib but honestly I just like ribs.

[@tuckle1718]

The ribs we get here don't generally have that much meat on them (just an Aussie thing I guess), but on a pellet I have found that ~4 hours unwrapped at 200 then wrap and another 1-1.5 hours at 250 has produced the best results for me. I either go a dry rub or overnight marinade, but no sauce in the wrap or glaze - I want to taste the smoke and pork. At the end of the day, as long as it's not dry/overcooked I'm happy.

[@tomharrop6166]

I would love to know your thoughts on the TMG Volunteer, Workhorse 1975, Franklin, and Fatstack pits. How do they all compare? Pros and cons of each, ease of use, yada yada, yada. Thanks!

[@columbiariversalmonenhance4050]

Good video and really appreciate the high level of detail. I think the only thing that might be left out here, or maybe you said it and I missed it, was the kind of ribs. There are Pork Ribs... St. Louis style ribs and baby backs... and depending upon how much of the belly strap is left on the back of the rib... how thick they are... your finish time is going to vary. Part of the art here is looking at the ribs before going on the smoker and knowing beforehand what your target time is likely to be. And plan accordlingly. You are spot on about the Issues in that section also. I can confirm everything you said there. Now I gotta get out and do some serious experimenting...

[@sweetroscoeful]

My first time ever smoking anything I tried the 3-2-1 method with my dad's Bullet style smoker (cheap amazon unit). I have to admit, it turned out great! I used a savory, commercially made BBQ rub, wrapped in foil for the 2 hr portion with nothing else, and then glazed with a home blended bbq sauce (generic kraft bbq, added mustard and apple cider vinegar. I followed the 3 and the 2, but on the 1 I probably went about 35 min as I felt the sauce had reduced, and darkened and the ribs were feeling tender when I probed it. Without using a very sweet sauce or any sugars/etc, it had a very good savoriness

[@skatman3278]

I've been using the 3-2-1 since I started smoking ribs about 4 years ago, although I have experimented without it too. My biggest criticism for the 3-2-1 method, is that it leaves your ribs *too* soft. When it comes to the last hour, they're usually too soft to even apply the glaze. I still like the wrap section as I like the injection of moisture and sweetness (I use butter, brown sugar, and Thatchers Haze cider). Without the wrap, I find ribs get too dry. So what I do now is lower heat (around 200°F), smoke for closer to 4 hours, wrap for just over an hour, then smoke again but in the glaze. I usually do one rack glazed, one rack not. I cook on a WSM, but just ordered a Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 36 based on your recommendation.

[@All2Skitzd]

I'm not a fan of 3-2-1 but when I have used it I've always had to adjust the times depending on which smoker I use and the ribs themselves

[@donlinsky7588]

I have the Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 24 and I love it!

[@skatman3278]

@@donlinsky7588 I did a brisket and spare rib on it last weekend. Spare ribs were good, but the brisket was overcooked sadly. Will give it a go again in the future!

[@nickparrinello3302]

I just started in bbq this summer I have had some failures and success! Really a great hobby I am enjoying to the fullest love doin research with your content it helps tremendously being a greenhorn

[@presidentscroob3044]

That conversion from stick burner to pellet is priceless….thank you

[@daleykd]

Two points to Gryffindor for an iconic reference to one of my top films "Snatch." Thanks, Jeremy.

[@Ranbzl44]

You earned a subscription after the Tommy and Mickey reenactment. Severely underappreciated movie. Nicely done

[@nickparrinello3302]

The snatch line was hilarious! I walk around saying that crap all the time people look at me like I'm insane

[@andrewmartin2953]

You're working on a rib rub? So like you said, salt and pepper? 😂

[@SirTomster1]

Hmm, I just bought some ribs to smoke for tomorrow. Usually do 3-2-1. I will have to try your method tomorrow. Thanks for the video.

[@tpanther9567]

The 3-2-1 method is good for beginners and some that are learning to cook ribs for the first time or the first couple of cooks, once you learn your smoker and how to use it the 3-2-1 method can be used simply as a guideline.

[@KiefsChingdom]

I tried so many times to do that method on my first smoker and it just overcooked the heck out of the ribs. I thought it was me, and after several failed attempts realized that it was the method/smoker combination. I never wrap more than an hour now and only do maybe 15min to dry out/tack up

[@JasonFinn84]

Great video and love the foil raft!!! l I’m sure Chud will love this lol… keep up the awesome content Jeremy and Erica!

[@theboringmillionaire]

A method I’ve been using lately is to cook on the grill/smoker unwrapped until I have them at the tenderness I like and then resting them in a large Rubbermaid container with a lid for about ten minutes before slicing. They come out really good.

[@metalmowytone]

hahaha, that got surreal when you started quoting snatch. Instantly knew the quote. Didn't know it made an impression on the US

[@benmurie4815]

I recently found that I like a hot and fast sear, followed by a low and slow for about 2 hours or however long it takes. . It was kinda on a whim, but I was pleasantly surprised.

[@edwardpate6128]

I like low and slow with a quick sear at the end. Most of the time all ribs are great.

[@agoodies1982]

"Do you know what Nemesis means"? Love the movie reference. Great video as well!

[@jaredrubio1913]

You mentioned the smokey mountain like its very different was there a reason for that? Is it so different from a normal smoker?

[@michaelgasparrelli8259]

After trail and error I settled on 3-2-1/2 for baby backs and they are great with just the right amount of tug but very tender

[@brendonwelker5246]

One adaptation of the 3-2-1 method some may want to try out that I have found success with is to first use mesquite pellets during the first 3 hours in order to still get a strong smokey flavor. Season more simply (salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika for additional color). Sprits with apple cider vinegar as needed during the smoking and then right before wrapping but don't add anything else when wrapping. Then instead of putting the sauce on and smoking an additional hour at the end just add sauce and wrap back up and let it rest in the wrap for an hour. (side note: I usually use back ribs because I prefer them, but spare ribs turn out pretty good with this as well.

[@LGguedo]

I do 185 for the three or four before wrap. So many ways to get there with ribs. Thanks for your advice.

[@markmelton8676]

it's so cool your wife gets involved. Sometimes we are our own worst critics. It's always great to hear another opinion. I have never tried just S&P ribs, but i will next time. These were spare ribs right? keep up the content man! Next time your back near Madisonville please post about it, i would love to meet you.

[@johnrenken1981]

What you just described is what I developed doe my pellet smoker this summer. 180 for 3 hours, wrap with foil with cider vinegar and another 3 hours at 225. Then 15 min unwrapped or until the sauce starts to glaze.

[@johnnujump]

I have a Vision Kamado Grill. How is the smoking temperature range different from your offset smokers? Thanks

[@garynurisso9442]

3-2-1 on Traeger produced dry ribs for me. After experimenting I have settled on 2 hours at 180 unwrapped, 2 hours at 325/350 wrapped, 20 to 30 minutes unwrapped with sauce applied. Juicy

[@seanyiya]

3-2-1 was a great stepping stone, with some experience, you adjust the time based on rib size, temp, feel and smell.. there are many variables, but with some experiences you have to able to adopt and adjust them as need it…

[@mmiller73]

I typically do about 3 hours on the smoker, 90 minutes in foil and 30 minutes unwrapped back on the smoker. Those aren’t hard numbers though. I go by color, temp and most importantly, feel.

[@johnknapp6328]

Love the different methods, but the big question is how do you keep apron so clean.

[@BigCarmine]

Lard & butcher paper takes ribs to another level. They have a baconey smell, great moisture and insane flavor.

[@MasterMoore2010]

Thank you very much for the details. On the smoker itself. As well as how you did your cook

[@smarouchoc7300]

OK, so, this is the first time I've heard you mention reducing the temp if you are using something like a Pit Boss. Might be I'm not listening closely enough :D I have a pit boss vertical smoker, and I had already come to this same conclusion. That, and I'm super unhappy with the built in PLC. in the 200 to 200 degree range, I can only choose 200,225, 250, then jump to 300. I have never done a 3-2-1 rib. Until I started watching this channel, no matter how or what I smoked pork ribs on, my results varied widely. The description of what rendered fat looks and feels like was the key for me - it unlocked the ability for me to cook ribs consistently every time.

[@michaelscott1649]

I myself am a traditional smoker/griller! It’s all about the seasoning, rub & good Smoke! That Bite, tender but not soft

[@gregf577]

Weber kettle - 3 hours @ 250, seasoned however you prefer, unwrapped, spritzing every hour, then 1 hour wrapped with no extra liquid added to the wrap(you can add some butter and honey or brown sugar if you want it sweet), then 1/2 hour unwrapped with sauce. Done