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bbq ribs, babyback ribs, slab or ribs

Grill Master Pro Tip: The Bend Test

How do you create the perfect slab of ribs?

The bend test for ribs, grilled ribs

Try the ‘Bend Test’ for ribs.

ribs bend test, bbq ribs, babyback ribs recipe
When you’re smoking up a slab, you’ll know they’re done cooking when they are flexible – but they don’t fall apart.

  • Hold your rack of ribs on one end with a pair of BBQ tongs.
  • The other end of the rack should bend downward, and you’ll see some cracks forming in the crust.
  • You will also notice that the meat is contracting on each bone. If all your ribs are fall off the bone, they are overdone. They could still be good, but they are overdone.
  • Cooking a lot of ribs? Use a rib rack to stand ribs on end, giving you more space on the smoker.

The bend test is step one. The layering is the rest, and our Big Rib Energy box walks through both on the recipe card.

The Big Rib Energy Rib Rub and Sauce Box

5.0 out of 5 from 6 reviews.

Competition ribs get built in layers. The rub sets the bark, a light spritz keeps color building without washing it off, and the sauce only shows up in the last stretch so it sets instead of burning. This box has all three parts already matched.

  • Heath Riles Competition BBQ Rub for the bark, plus Sweet Heat Seasoning by The Spice Guy.
  • Two competition sauces: Southern Gal's by Old Southern BBQ and Riffs Smokehouse Voodoo Child.
  • The spritz bottle and silicone mop brush for the parts of the cook most people skip.
  • Two full rib recipes on the included card, with the timing written out.

Shop the Rib Box

Free U.S. shipping. Rather build your own? Browse all rib rubs and sauces.

bbq ribs, babyback ribs, bend test

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