Birthday Ribs Dilemma -

[fracmeister]

I had a similar issue once. That's when I sous vided ---ice bath and stored until the event (which wasnt exactly scheduled) and finished for a couple hours on the smoker once I knew the time. They were great but I wouldn't recommend it to you if you have a Plan B. Just a bit nerve racking... racking.... get it.

[CaptainMike]

I'm with Jim, just get up early and get it done. It's grandpa's birthday.

[jfmorris]

If I were in your shoes, I would set a 4:30AM alarm, hop up, get the ribs going at 5, and then go nap on the couch for a couple hours until the rest of the family wakes up, or just get your coffee and have an early start to the day.

I also would not plan on the oven being available, unless you know your Aunt is not using it to prepare any other dishes for the get together. I would just sauce the last 30 minutes on the PBC, if saucing, then wrap in foil (maybe double wrap), and into a cooler wrapped in towels. That should keep them plenty hot for 30-60 minutes.

[Loren]

Do 'em the day of; while guests might not necessarily notice the difference of reheated ribs, you will.

Knowing you made the best ribs possible for your family (and especially a birthday party of such importance - 95! That is AWESOME!!!) is, in my opinion, well worth getting up a few hours early and getting a few hours less sleep.


I'd still do the Bloody Mary, seems irresponsible to not have one while smoking some ribs

[Davek8282]

Wish I could help, I eat them cold out of the fridge the next day

[Jfrosty27]

Yes I sauce before the wrap

[BFlynn]

And do you sauce them before you wrap? or after they reheat?

[Jfrosty27]

I would plan for more than 30 min to reheat at 225 if they’re cold from the fridge. When I reheat, I wrap in foil to prevent drying out and in the oven at 325 for about 30-45 min.

[BFlynn]

My grandfather is turning 95 this weekend. We are doing a very small, VERY socially distanced birthday party for him. It has been requested that I make ribs for the event. Ribs will need to be finished by 10am, to delivered by 10:30, and served at 11:00.

I'm on the fence about whether to smoke them the night before, and reheat, or wake up early and have them fresh off the smoker. SLCs seem to take me right at 4 hrs at 250 on the PBC. I also like having a little extra time in case I hit a snag.

If I get the PBC prepped the night before, fire it up at 4:30, ribs go on at 5am. That gives me plenty of time to smoke.
Also, thinking that I will do them all dry rub, and then sauce them, and put in the oven for 15 mins at my Aunt's house upon delivery.

If I smoke them the night before, there is no rush, I can sleep in (I'd say til 9 but I'll be up by 7 anyway). Have a bloody mary for breakfast, and not be in a rush at all. Figure they'd need 30 mins - an hour at 225 to reheat the next day. I won't think the ribs are as good, but everyone else will be just as happy.

Any advice from the peanut gallery?
Is that enough time to reheat ribs?
Should I just suck it up and wake up early?

I did consider throwing loading the PBC in the truck and showing up at my Aunt's house at 5 am to just smoke them on site..... that's probably a good way to get expelled from the family though.