Camp Chef Woodwind Pellet Grill: 6 Full Racks of Ribs - A Detailed Guide

This detailed guide walks you through the process of smoking six full racks of ribs to perfection using the Camp Chef Woodwind pellet grill. We'll cover every step, from initial rib preparation and seasoning to the crucial foil-wrapping technique and the final saucing. Learn how to achieve incredibly tender and flavorful ribs, leveraging the consistent temperature control and ample smoke production of the Woodwind. This isn't just a recipe; it's a masterclass in low-and-slow cooking, designed to help you unlock the full potential of your pellet grill and impress your guests with restaurant-quality results.Discover the secrets to flawlessly smoked ribs with this comprehensive tutorial. We'll delve into the specifics of removing the silver skin, applying a delicious rub, and maintaining optimal cooking temperatures throughout the process. This guide will explore the popular 5-1-1 method, combining smoking, foil-wrapping, and unwrapping stages for ultimate tenderness. You’ll also learn how to achieve a beautiful, glossy finish with a high-quality barbecue sauce. By the end, you’ll be equipped to confidently tackle large rib cooks with ease, using the Camp Chef Woodwind to achieve consistently outstanding results.

Pros And Cons

Cherry Delight Barbecue Sauce
  • Sweet and tangy
  • Wisconsin product from Door County

Read more: 10 Best Big Green Egg Rib Racks: A Buyer's Guide

Rib Preparation: Removing the Silver Skin

The first step in achieving perfectly cooked ribs is proper preparation. This involves removing the silver skin from the back of the ribs. This membrane can be tough and prevent the ribs from tenderizing properly during cooking.

Close-up of removing silver skin from a rib rack.
Close-up of removing silver skin from a rib rack.

Using a paper towel to get a grip, gently peel the silver skin away from the meat. It's a simple process that makes a significant difference in the final texture and flavor.

Using a paper towel to peel the silver skin.
Using a paper towel to peel the silver skin.

Once the silver skin is removed, you can proceed with the seasoning process, ensuring even flavor penetration.

Seasoning and Initial Smoking

After preparing the ribs, I lightly sprayed them with apple juice for added moisture. Then, I generously applied a rub—in this case, Pork Barrel BBQ All-American seasoning. This gluten-free blend adds a delicious depth of flavor.

Spraying apple juice on the ribs.
Spraying apple juice on the ribs.

The ribs were placed on the Camp Chef Woodwind pellet grill and cooked for over two hours at a high smoke setting. Maintaining a consistent temperature around 237°F is crucial during this stage.

Ribs on the Camp Chef Woodwind, early in the smoking process.
Ribs on the Camp Chef Woodwind, early in the smoking process.

Regularly spraying with apple juice helps keep the ribs moist and adds another layer of flavor as they smoke.

Checking the temperature of the smoker.
Checking the temperature of the smoker.

Foil Wrap and Resting

After five hours of smoking, the ribs showed a nice color and were ready for the next phase. Three racks were selected for foil wrapping.

Smoked ribs after five hours.
Smoked ribs after five hours.

Two racks were wrapped in foil with some additional beer for added moisture. They then rested for an hour, allowing the meat to become incredibly tender.

Preparing ribs for foil wrapping.
Preparing ribs for foil wrapping.

This foil wrapping and resting method helps to break down the collagen in the ribs, resulting in extremely tender and juicy results. This 5-1-1 method (5 hours smoking, 1 hour wrapped, 1 hour unwrapped) is a popular technique.

Saucing and Plating

Once the ribs were unwrapped, I applied a Wisconsin-made cherry barbecue sauce. This sweet and tangy sauce complements the smoky flavor beautifully.

Applying the cherry barbecue sauce to the ribs.
Applying the cherry barbecue sauce to the ribs.

A final brushing of the sauce ensures even coating and adds a glossy finish. The ribs are then plated along with sides.

Plated ribs with sides.
Plated ribs with sides.

This simple yet effective final step elevates the presentation and flavor, resulting in a truly mouthwatering experience.

Conclusion: Camp Chef Woodwind Performance

The Camp Chef Woodwind pellet grill performed exceptionally well throughout this rib cook. It maintained a consistent temperature, produced ample smoke, and made the entire process relatively straightforward.

Final shot of the cooked ribs.
Final shot of the cooked ribs.

The 5-1-1 method, combined with the Woodwind’s capabilities, resulted in perfectly tender, juicy, and flavorful ribs. The user-friendly interface and ease of temperature control are significant advantages.

Overall, the Camp Chef Woodwind is a highly recommended pellet grill for anyone looking for consistent results and ease of use. Its ability to handle large quantities of ribs, as demonstrated here, is a testament to its capabilities.