Sweet & Smoky Ribs

By Tufgrlz

Ingredients

• Magic Dust Spice Rub
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 1/4 cup paprika
• 2 tablespoons chile powder
• 2 tablespoons granulated garlic
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon cayenne
• 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon dry mustard
• Ribs
• 2 racks baby back ribs, each about 2 to 2 1/2 lbs., halved
• 4 cups wood chips, preferably applewood, soaked in water 1 hour, drained
• 1/2 cup apple juice, in a spray bottle
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce, plus more for serving

Details

Adapted from rachaelraymag.com

Preparation

Step 1

In a spice grinder, finely grind the kosher salt. Transfer to a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Add the rest of the rub ingredients; shake to blend.
Place the ribs, bone side up, on a work surface. Grab a corner of the thin, shiny membrane that covers the ribs; peel off and discard. Sprinkle the ribs all over with 3 tbsp. rub; refrigerate. Prepare your grill
Place the ribs, bone side down, on the top rack over the drip pan. Cover, maintaining the heat between 210 degrees and 230 degrees . Spray with apple juice and sprinkle with the rub every 40 minutes. Cook until the meat is tender and the racks bend easily, about 2 hours. For a charcoal grill, when the temperature drops below 210 degrees (after about 1 hour), prepare more briquettes. Transfer the rack with the ribs to a work surface. Arrange the briquettes around the drip pan; scatter with the remaining 2 cups wood chips. Return the rack and ribs to the grill. For a gas grill, after about 1 hour, transfer the rack with the ribs to a work surface. Add the remaining 2 cups wood chips to the loaf pan. Return the rack and ribs to the grill.
About 10 minutes before the ribs are done, brush with 1/4 barbecue cup sauce. When finished, transfer ribs to a plate, brush with 1/4 cup more sauce. Dust with more rub. Cut between the bones; serve with more sauce.