Cooking ribs while camping over fire... advice?

[Rallispec]

Going camping this weekend and one of the things I'd like to try to do is cook some decent ribs for dinner. never tried this over a fire pit before so I'm assuming I may have to get creative with controlling the heat.

My initial plan is to get a dry rub on the ribs ahead of time and let them chill in the cooler for a day. Going to cook them directly on the grate over the coals, adjusting the temp by moving the grate or shifting the coals around with a stick or shovel. Maybe throw an aluminum foil tent over the ribs to hold in heat and smoke? probably let them cook for 2-3 hours?

Not sure what type of ribs I'd have the best luck with.


ANy suggestions or thoughts?!

Be aware this is an old thread bumped by new member.
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[Oyeve]

I usually boil my ribs a very short time prior to BBQing as I dont want any raw meat on the inside. This way they cook quicker on the bbq.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

i gotta think there are more comfortable places to camp than over a fire, best of luck...

 

[PottedMeat]

Completely cook'em at home, refrigerate, warm/brown over fire?

 

[SpatiallyAware]

DEFINITELY boil or pre cook.


Ribs do best at ~225f-275f. You can do them turbo at 350 but not really over a campfire like that.


That being said, if I was going to do it, I would use a grill thermometer, wrap them in 3-4 layers of foil, then find a place around the campfire that is about 250f and bury them.

 

[NetWareHead]

Going camping this weekend and one of the things I'd like to try to do is cook some decent ribs for dinner. never tried this over a fire pit before so I'm assuming I may have to get creative with controlling the heat.

My initial plan is to get a dry rub on the ribs ahead of time and let them chill in the cooler for a day. Going to cook them directly on the grate over the coals, adjusting the temp by moving the grate or shifting the coals around with a stick or shovel. Maybe throw an aluminum foil tent over the ribs to hold in heat and smoke? probably let them cook for 2-3 hours?

Not sure what type of ribs I'd have the best luck with.


Any suggestions or thoughts?!

Whatever you do, ribs needs to be cooked low and slow. 2-3 hours sounds good, I'd go for at least 3.

I've heard of people constructing a firepit and then burying ribs wrapped in aluminum foil in a hole and filling it with hot coals. The foil protects the ribs from burning. After a few hours, shovel out the ash and remaining coals and enjoy. I've never done this but you can look up the technique.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I usually boil my ribs a very short time prior to BBQing as I dont want any raw meat on the inside. This way they cook quicker on the bbq.

Blasphemy.

 

[amish]

Completely cook'em at home, refrigerate, warm/brown over fire?

ding, ding, ding!!!

I do this with all my ribs. smoke a large batch with a dry rub. freeze large portion for later that were wrapped in foil and saran wrap. gradually take out smaller portions and reheat on the grill. baste BBQ sauce during cooking process if needed.

 

[Murloc]

I usually boil my ribs a very short time prior to BBQing as I dont want any raw meat on the inside. This way they cook quicker on the bbq.

Completely cook'em at home, refrigerate, warm/brown over fire?

you make baby jesus cry.

EDIT: are we talking about pork or beef?
Still, eating beef brown is just horrible and boiling meat is a no-no imho.

 

[NetWareHead]

ding, ding, ding!!!

I do this with all my ribs. smoke a large batch with a dry rub. freeze large portion for later that were wrapped in foil and saran wrap. gradually take out smaller portions and reheat on the grill. baste BBQ sauce during cooking process if needed.

Have to agree with this. While it may be possible to cook them over a fire or making a firepit, the best way for me (and considering I have a smoker and have smoked ribs numerous times) would be to cook them at home. Ribs reheat easily and would be nice over a campfire warmed up. Maybe I would feel comfortable recommending cooking ribs at a campsite with just a firepit or campfire if I had done it before.

But whatever you do, never boil your ribs. that is blasphemy.

 

[Rallispec]

I'd like to try and not cook them ahead of time...part of the fun and challenge is doing it at the camp site. I'd like to do beef, but I think pork ribs are more tolerant of less heat control?

 

[Rallispec]

I think I can build a make shift smoker out of foil and assorted pieces, so the meat wouldn't be in direct contact with the heat... I could easily give them all afternoon to cook, it's camping, what else am I going to do? (Other than drink beer lol)

 

[slag]

I usually boil my ribs a very short time prior to BBQing as I dont want any raw meat on the inside. This way they cook quicker on the bbq.

Doesn't really work as boiling ribs takes away the rub and you want the rub to sit on the ribs for at least 4-6 hours prior to smoking or BBQing them.

 

[NetWareHead]

I'd like to try and not cook them ahead of time...part of the fun and challenge is doing it at the camp site. I'd like to do beef, but I think pork ribs are more tolerant of less heat control?

traditionally, pork has had more intramuscular fat. Nowadays hogs are bred for less fat since lard production is not as important as it used to be as well as the pork industry trying to promote pork as healthy. I would try pork instead of beef if I were you.

 

[Fritzo]

Some really bad advice here

Anyway, if you're going to be cooking ribs over open flames, you'll want to cover it and cook it over indirect heat. Maybe put in on a rock near the fire or use a side shelf or something. The flames will burn the outside and since I assume you're not going to be using fruitwood it will leave a nasty smoke taste on the meat. It'll take a few hours this way but it's really the best way to do it.

On a side note, don't use evergreen wood in your campfire if you're going to be cooking on it. It can make you sick.

 

[xochi]

If you have a cast iron dutch oven you have another option.

http://www.theoutdoorcooks.com/pork-spare-ribs-dutch-oven-style/

I've tried ribs this way and and they are tasty.

 

[SaurusX]

Why are you camping over a fire?

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

If you have a cast iron dutch oven you have another option.

http://www.theoutdoorcooks.com/pork-spare-ribs-dutch-oven-style/

I've tried ribs this way and and they are tasty.

I was about to chime in an suggest something similar.

It just seems like trying to cook ribs over open flames is a bad, bad idea. Trying to set up something indirect around a campfire would be difficult to control, I think, not to mention the issue of evergreen smoke like Fritzo mentioned.

Cast Iron Dutch Oven, on the other hand, seems like it'd be pretty foolproof if you set it up right.

 

[Rallispec]

If you have a cast iron dutch oven you have another option.

http://www.theoutdoorcooks.com/pork-spare-ribs-dutch-oven-style/

I've tried ribs this way and and they are tasty.

Hmmm , this looks doable. Thanks for sharing

 

[Fritzo]

If you have a cast iron dutch oven you have another option.

http://www.theoutdoorcooks.com/pork-spare-ribs-dutch-oven-style/

I've tried ribs this way and and they are tasty.

This is a great idea as well. It will keep the soot off of the food.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Completely cook'em at home, refrigerate, warm/brown over fire?

:thumbsup: And by completely cook 'em at home he means of course smoke them slowly for a few hours at low temp.

 

[herm0016]

cast iron is the best way. i cooked a 2 lb flank steak in cast iron over a fire last weekend. best steak we have had in a while. with corn and tomatoes also cooked in the fire.

 

[ElFenix]

I usually boil my ribs a very short time prior to BBQing as I dont want any raw meat on the inside. This way they cook quicker on the bbq.

ban

Going camping this weekend and one of the things I'd like to try to do is cook some decent ribs for dinner. never tried this over a fire pit before so I'm assuming I may have to get creative with controlling the heat.

My initial plan is to get a dry rub on the ribs ahead of time and let them chill in the cooler for a day. Going to cook them directly on the grate over the coals, adjusting the temp by moving the grate or shifting the coals around with a stick or shovel. Maybe throw an aluminum foil tent over the ribs to hold in heat and smoke? probably let them cook for 2-3 hours?

Not sure what type of ribs I'd have the best luck with.


ANy suggestions or thoughts?!

if you use hardwood they will be fine (DO NOT USE PINE!). heat shouldn't be so hot you can't hold your hand in that position for 5 seconds. might take 5 hours.

 

[Chocu1a]

Ribs, both pork & beef, are full of collagen & connective tissue. To break that down to make it tender & really edible, you have to use slow heat & long cooking time. Campfire is not really suitable. Braising is one method you could try, but it still takes time. Get a cast iron vessel that can be covered, put enough liquid in it to cover 1/2 way & cover tightly. Season with whatever you want. Cook over medium/low fire for around 3-4 hours.

Seriously, there are much better choices for outdoor campfire grilling.

 

[DigDog]

ban
if you use hardwood they will be fine (DO NOT USE PINE!). heat shouldn't be so hot you can't hold your hand in that position for 5 seconds. might take 5 hours.

summin wrong with pine?