Grilling ribs on a gas grill surely makes an excellent barbecue dinner. When looking at how to bbq ribs on gas grill, there are several things that you should know before starting the process.
Most delicious barbecue ribs are a result of knowing how to prepare your meat for cooking, as this will serve as the foundation of the grilling process. Another important part of cooking ribs on the gas grill is assembling all the equipment that you’ll need and the center of it is using the best gas grill you can get.
Using a gas grill is just one of the many ways ribs can be cooked beautifully. Gas grills have come a long way over the past decade and now offer incredible grilling options, such as high heat and searing capability. Because of this, cooking ribs on a gas grill can be done more efficiently.
The Ribs
To cook your ribs to perfection, there are several elements you’ll need: the ribs themselves and an assortment of bbq sauce and spices for marinating. Ideally, you will have to use unfrozen ribs when cooking using such a method. Check bone surfaces and the bone rim to find any cracks before moving forward.
Remove membrane
Pork ribs contain a membrane that forms part of the lung cavity. Most people want it removed mainly because the flavor will increase once it’s gone. Although a seemingly simple task, this is a learned skill and you will not always perfect it at first. I like using a butter knife and my hands to pull the membrane. You work your way under the rib at the end. If you have traction on them, you pull them in an upward direction. You will eventually remove the membrane and it may take several tries to do so.
What are baby back ribs?
A rib that is cut off at the top/rear of the rib and meets the spine is called a baby back—being smaller than all the other rib parts. This is usually a 12 – 12 rack of ribs and measure around five inches in width. They are typically more expensive than other cuts of pork but they are worth it!
The Dry Rub
One of the most popular dry rub recipe formula is the 8:3:1:1. This means 8 parts sugar to 3 parts salt to 2 parts (the 1:1) of various other spices like paprika and chili pepper. This formula is a great starting point in finding out what type of flavor you want for your ribs. Experiment away!
Grill setup
Probably the trickiest to learn is the grilling technique. Let’s touch on the most important parts:
Grill temperature
Most smokers prefer cooking ribs in the range of 225-350°F. Remember that higher temperature means the ribs will cook faster and this causes dry meat.
Indirect heat
By using indirect warmth, it means the meat will never reach a burning point. Gas grills vary, however, so you will have to check the temperature on the grill at which the ribs will be cooked. Most thermometers on gas grills show the wrong numbers that are a little far from what is being cooked in the oven. I recommend using grill surface thermometers at $10 each. It assures a better outcome every time. Most manufacturers of gas grills will have them.
Wood Chips
It would help a lot if you soak your wood chips in water for 30-45 hours when planning on smoking ribs so they don’t burn out too quickly and when trying to create smoke in your grill. Smaller chips need no more than 12 hours of soaking. Most people use a variety of wood chips such as apple, cherry, or hickory for their ribs when grilling [1].
How To BBQ Ribs On Gas Grill: Step-by-Step Instructions
- Take pork ribs off the package and dry it with a paper towel. Follow above instructions on preparing your meat
- You will need to preheat your grill for about 30 minutes prior to placing your meat in so that it can brown evenly and cook fully.
- Before placing your ribs on the grill, you’ll want to brush the cooking grate with oil. Place your seasoned ribs on directly over medium-low heat. It is best not to put it over direct heat because that will dry out your meat instead of keeping it moist. The most important factor in cooking ribs on a gas grill is to maintain low heat for the duration of the cooking time, which is around 2-2.5 hours total. You can check if they are done by pulling them apart with tongs and checking how tender the meat becomes before you remove the ribs.
- At the end of the cooking time, your ribs should be evenly browned and moist.
Freaquently Asked Questions (FAQs):
How long does it take to grill ribs on a gas grill?
Depending upon how hot your grill is, your ribs should be nicely cooked after around 1 1/2 to 2 hours long. Use thongs to check if the ribs are done.
How long do you cook ribs on a gas grill and at what temperature?
Ribs must be cooked past the point of doneness and slowly as to not dry out the meat. Pork needs to be cooked for about 3 hours at the range of 225-350°F, but make sure to check on your meat constantly as gas grills vary.
Should ribs be wrapped in foil when grilling?
For some people, wrapping meat in aluminum foil reduces smoke from the surface and results in an improved color and taste of the final product. It also helps lock in moisture but doing so requires the low and slow method of cooking. It’s up to you whether you would like to do this or not.
How do you keep ribs moist on a gas grill?
The ribs should be grilled at constant low temperatures for the best results. High heat will dry the rib bones within a minute. You can also brine them and prepare the marinade before using the grill or the barbecue pan for a more moist result.
