Pork ribs, membrane on or off, current thinking?

[rodkeary]

I remove the membrane for 2 reasons.

1. I like the challenge. One thing for certain is that the few times that you get it off in one pull there will be no
one around to witness the feat.
2. I think I read here on AR that taking the membrane off aids in rendering the fat.

[DaveD]

Oh man, I can so relate to #1. When I've managed to peel that bad boy right off in one go, I puff my chest and look around... but of course my lovely bride is nowhere near. Le sigh.

[Draznnl]

What is yall's current thinking? Do you keep it on or off and does it matter between spares and baby backs? I'm planning to do some baby backs this Sunday and I am almost of the presence of mind to keep it on as an experiment.

If it’s an experiment you are willing to do, then an experiment you should do. I say cook half of them with the membrane on and half off. See if anyone notices a difference. Most importantly, which do you like best.

BTW, I’m a take the membrane off guy because that’s what I was always taught.

[DaveD]

Hanging my head in shame that I did not make this very post myself. I claim distraction from the moving process!

[RonB]

I have always taken the membrane off 'cause it's so much fun when it doesn't come off easily.

[DavidNorcross]

I remove it. I really am not sure it makes a difference, but I still remove it.

[SheilaAnn]

I’m with Spinaker if I remember, I do so.

[smokenoob]

CRS huh? we just gonna call ya can’t remember Shiela then!
oh, boy, two weeks on cold meds and I can’t hold back……you are still my favorite sherrif! 😁🤔😁🤫

[SheilaAnn]

smokenoob LOL LOL LOL

[DaveD]

I suffer from *both* CRS and CRAFT (can't remember a flipping thing)... sorry, what was I saying?

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

I usually remove it, especially on baby backs since they are much meatier I want my dry brine hitting from all sides. Note this is for smoking only. Grilled ribs I actually like leaving it on.

[Mosca]

I remove it. It’s the way I make ribs, is the only answer I can give for “why”.

[captainlee]

I always remove it, I find it easy to do. I haven't a clue whether it matters, it's just what I do.

[HouseHomey]

smokenoob CRS LMAO!

[Andrrr]

I take it off. Is it too late to add a poll?

[MBMorgan]

Membrane Off!!! Because I said so!!! Now get off my lawn (shakes fist)!!!

[synodog]

I’ve been taking the membrane off for so long it’s not difficult anymore.
but I am curious what difference it makes.
I’m doing two racks of ribs this Saturday so I’m going to try one on and one off.
you know, for science.

[jfmorris]

I always remove it. After 35 years of smoking, it takes me a minute maybe on each rack of ribs, so why not? And it lets salt and spices work on that side of the ribs…

Just a knife to get it started if necessary, then grab it with a paper towel. Only time I had an issue was trying to remove it from a pack of ribs from Costco, getting very frustrated until I realized Costco had removed it already on 2 of the 3 slabs of ribs in that pack…

[Panhead John]

I’ve done that before too…😂 Oops, no membrane!

[MattTheGR8]

Membrane off for me. My local supplier switched processors at the start of the year, and the new processor is removing them so now I don't have to bother.

[Michael_in_TX]

I’m doing two racks of ribs this Saturday so I’m going to try one on and one off.
you know, for science.

Same. I am just utterly and complete curious to see if I can notice any difference, and, if I can, if it is objectionable or not!

Now the trick for both of us is to remember mark which rack is which!

[synodog]

Oh, good point. It should be obvious but after 5-6 hours in the smoker it may not be. 🤔

[Panhead John]

Label it with a Magic Marker 🥸

[realdocBBQ]

I've done both at the same time - no one in my household ever mentioned a difference.