The Smoke Show

Tonight’s cook · Mayo, Maryland

Two racks entered.
One rack left in one piece.

Wet ribs. Dry ribs. A couple filets. One Weber kettle. Things mostly went according to plan.

NO WRAP.

No foil. No paper. No crutch.

Wrapping ribs in foil or butcher paper partway through the cook can hold in moisture and change how they finish. No-wrap ribs stay out in the smoke and heat the whole time, favoring a more developed bark and a different texture. Tonight, both racks stayed exposed start to finish.

Wet vs. dry was the experiment. No wrap was the philosophy.

Two racks of pork ribs in a metal rib holder on a Weber kettle, waterfront in the background — Both racks in the holder, still naked. This is the last photo where everything is still intact.

Rack one

WET

Sauced. Sticky. Dark.

Rack two

DRY

Rub only. Bark left to do the work.

The question

WET OR DRY?

The answer

UNDER INVESTIGATION.

Separate question from the wrap. Both racks were cooked no wrap — one was finished wet, one stayed dry.

The great rib debate

Wrap?: Foil or butcher paper partway through the cook.
No wrap?: Leave them exposed and let the fire do its thing.

Tonight’s answer

NO WRAP.

The ribs over live coals as the light goes — Evening. Coals still honest. Still no wrap.

Cast iron skillet set directly over glowing charcoal inside the kettle — Cast iron, straight over the coals.

Meanwhile, beef happened.

Two filets joined the cook for Matt and Ray. They finished about three degrees farther than intended. Still turned out solid.

Two seared filets resting with herb butter melting on top — Herb butter, doing what herb butter does.

Both racks sliced and plated side by side on a platter — wet on the left, dry on the right — Both racks, sliced. Wet on the left. Dry on the right. Neither one saw foil.

The great rib debate

WRAP / NO WRAP

Pick a side.

Pick a side →

What went sideways

Steaks: About 3°F farther than planned.
Ribs: One rack became stuck in the metal rib holder and partially split while being removed.
Verdict: Still ate pretty damn well.

Gear note

Weber kettle — still earning its keep.

Two racks of ribs. Two filets. Cast iron over live charcoal. No app required.