Best way to get the membrane off Baby Backs? **pic update**

Sidewinda27 · Newbie Joined: 16 Dec 2010 Posts: 34

I picked up some ribs from Costco for my first 2011 smoke. While trying to prep these I could not get the membrane off the back to peel for anything...I could get a little off the actual bone, but that was the extent of it...i tried cutting it, the paper towel method, anything i could think of...This is only my 2nd time trying ribs but the first time it came off with no problem...different pig, different skin this time or what?

Flatlander · Posted: Jan 03 2011 Post subject:

Slide a dull blade or knife on the bone and pry up a little membrane and grab it with a paper towel and pull.

BluDawg · Posted: Jan 03 2011 Post subject:

Souns to me like they where already Skinned But the way Sidewida explained is the way I do it too.
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Uncle John · Posted: Jan 03 2011 Post subject:

I use a butter knife to separate the membrane and pull it off with a paper towel. Sometimes I have to use a pointed knife to get it started. Be careful to only take the outer membrane off and not leave bare bones.
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Sidewinda27 · Newbie Joined: 16 Dec 2010 Posts: 34

Can they come pre-skinned? These were pre-packaged Smithfields this time, but I kept seeing silver-skin so I was trying to get that...However, the couple pieces I did pull left bare bone, so i decided to let them go as it...These didn't look any different than the last one's I cooked, but maybe so...Thanks for the help guys!

Harry Nutczak · Posted: Jan 03 2011 Post subject:

I also agree that you had ribs that were already peeled.

I find about 1/3rd of my ribs in each case already have the membrane peeled.

You are probably trying to peel the bones, and that is not going to be easy.

A picture says 1,000 words. If the ribs are peeled, you will see a distinctive tiger-stripe appearance on the fat.
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Canadian Bacon · Posted: Jan 03 2011 Post subject:

I use a butterknife ,slide it along a bone and lift,then grab it with some paper towel,baby backs are the easiest to do...........some do come with the membrane already removed,I spent half an hour once...before I figured that out. Very Happy

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Uncle John · Posted: Jan 03 2011 Post subject:

Sidewinda27 · Newbie Joined: 16 Dec 2010 Posts: 34

OK, I'm pretty sure mine were already skinned then...I didn't realize some came that way....

@Canadian & John...Seems like I'm the newest member of that club! I spent at least 30 minutes looking for that thing! haha!

Brian in Maine · BBQ Fan Joined: 05 Sep 2006 Posts: 255

I use the knife and paper towel as well, and I also roll the ribs up tightly with the meat on the inside, and have found that it stretches,the membrane and makes it easier to remove.

Sidewinda27 · Newbie Joined: 16 Dec 2010 Posts: 34

Nothing special, but a couple pics of my "pre skinned" ribs off the smoker...I apologize for the pics, but the family was too hungry to get any great shots...

http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab52/SideWinda27/Cadilllac%20Cookin/Ribs-1-2-11/DSC04514.jpg
three racks off the grill...Ended up a little overdone, but good nonetheless...

http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab52/SideWinda27/Cadilllac%20Cookin/Ribs-1-2-11/DSC04517.jpg
My eyes were a littlle bigger than my stomach this go round...could have been that chef snack at 4pm!

Note: My wife was doubting me because she "doesn't like ribs" and didn't know what she was going to eat....well...her first bite she looked at me, smiled, and said "This is pretty good!"...that is a cook well done in my book...

Wingman · BBQ Fan Joined: 12 Apr 2010 Posts: 330 Location: Tacoma WA

I bought 3 racks from Costco for the first time last summer. I couldn't find a membrane on all 3 racks. I asked about it when I went in the next time. I was told that Costco had been providing ribs without the membrane for some time. Shocked

Good looking ribs you got there!
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kcmike · Posted: Jan 03 2011 Post subject:

Those are some really tasty looking ribs. Looks like you've got some baby backs there from the picture. The baby backs I've bought over the past several years have all been pre-skinned. It's the spares that I always have to skin myself. However, even every few cases I'll run into a 4-pack that's been pre-skinned.

My tool of choice is an oyster knife. I've used butter knives, screw drivers, you name it. But the oyster knife is the best tool I've ever used for this job.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2705/4538498678_ae6a8fb352_o.jpg
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HoggyStyle · Newbie Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 44

A buddy bought two cases of Costco Back ribs for a picnic, and after some serious frustration trying to peel the membrane we noticed the side of the case said they were already skinned.

Harry Nutczak · Posted: Jan 04 2011 Post subject:

I taught my guys to use their thumb nails to separate the membrane at the 2nd or 3rd bone, then grab the sheet with your hand and yank it off in one fast motion. They can have a case of spares done in about 5 minutes (9 racks) once they are out of the package.
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PhilQ · Posted: Jan 04 2011 Post subject:

Yep all of the baby backs I've bought from Costco in WA have had the membrane removed.

GeorgeH · Posted: Apr 24 2011 Post subject:

Thanks kcmike

I ordered a Dexter-Russell S121 2-3/4" Oyster Knife based on your recommendation. I tried it today and you are right, it is better than any other tool I have ever tried to remove the membrane on ribs. I used to use an old butter knife that had a point but this is much better.

I ordered it from here because I got free shipping:

http://www.amazon.com/Sani-Safe-Oyster-Knife-Pattern-Handle/dp/B00141DVRS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1303594538&sr=8-1

George

SoEzzy · Posted: Apr 24 2011 Post subject:

PMPNLT650pxOTLS!
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Oregon smoker · Posted: Apr 24 2011 Post subject:

I just tell my wife to take the membrane off, works great! Shocked

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roxy · Posted: Apr 24 2011 Post subject:

I worm my finger down under the membrane in the middle of the rack and force it through, once I get my finger out the other side of the rack I force it to the thin end of the rack peeling the membrane off. Grab the freed membrane and rip it off the rest of the rack... Works ever time and IMO is a lot easier to do then trying to push a spoon or knife under it.

My finger is a lot cheaper than some fancy high falutin gadget.. Money saved = more meat in the smoker.
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