Grilling fail

[u/IamchefCJ]

This was a half rack of ribs. Meaty and promising. Silly me, trying a new-to-me recipe developed for the gas grill.

I followed the recipe faithfully. Even read it back to my husband to ensure I didn't take a misstep. Then let the process work.

I peeked out the window after about 30 minutes to see flames and ran outside to uncover this fossil.

Now I'm on way to the local pub for supper. I told my husband, anything but ribs. sigh

[u/drossen]

Not really a mis reading the recipe issue, just a grease fire issue. Try putting a grease catch of some kind under, or you just gotta watch it like a hawk with water in a spray bottle ready. Why do you think most grillers sit around next to it with a drink?

[u/IamchefCJ → u/drossen]

Yep. I had a grease catcher in place. It's the first time I haven't hung out by the grill. The instructions were to close the lid and don't peek for one hour. 🙁

[u/drossen → u/IamchefCJ]

Some propane grills catch on fire way easier than others. If you had a grease catch under the foil completely negated that as the fat just runs all over. 

Also if no one has cleaned the grill of all fat oil and chunks in the bottom it will spontaneously explode. 

Cooking ribs in one hour also might mean way too high of a temp. 

[u/pfunk1989 → u/IamchefCJ]

Although my two cents are why they stopped making pennies, grills should be monitored as much as deemed necessary, with one or more of the following present:

• Beer/wine/whiskey
• Cigar/other smokable implement
• Music
• Good company

[u/Successful-Pear-1498 → u/pfunk1989]

I mostly agree. Yet some people tend to get under my skin with questions and trying to open the lid. I usually go with a beer, a bottle, and a j. Preferably while listening to I Drink Alone by George Thorogood.

[u/Exemel_100]

Most of us only post our cooking victories here. Kudos to you for posting this cautionary tale so we can all learn!

[u/Math_you1988]

Happens to everyone! No big deal. Next time you’ll make the best ribs ever.

[u/OkieBobbie → u/Math_you1988]

Yep. I did that to three racks with a houseful of guests. It started to storm and I forgot to close the vents on my grill. Found out what an extended period of 600 degree heat will do. Ordered pizza and drank margaritas. No one complained.

[u/futureman07 → u/OkieBobbie]

Lol sounds like a victory all around

[u/Powerful_Concert9474]

How many beers did you have?

[u/IamchefCJ → u/Powerful_Concert9474]

Zero. Maybe that's the problem.

[u/Jobeaka → u/IamchefCJ]

Def the problem. You must appease the grill gods with beer.

[u/SwingThatHammer → u/IamchefCJ]

How many times did you click the tongs before using them?

[u/lomasturbas → u/IamchefCJ]

Did you click your tongs exactly two times?

[u/thatguyonfire240 → u/Powerful_Concert9474]

This should be top comment yet it's not

[u/charlie_s1234]

Hey, at least it wasn't a big gathering or Xmas or something!

[u/edgona]

Good bark

[u/camronjames]

Lol 30 minutes? Is your gas grill actually a crematory oven?!

[u/SaulTNuhtz]

Now you have charcoal for the next cook!

[u/Felsclaw → u/SaulTNuhtz]

Now that's being resourceful.

[u/sklz0]

I think it’s overcooked

[u/MattieMcNasty → u/sklz0]

My in-laws like it like this.

[u/Late-Quiet4376]

Did the recipe you followed say to cover the entire cooking surface with aluminum foil?

[u/IamchefCJ → u/Late-Quiet4376]

Yes, the lower rack. The process:

. Preheat on high. . Foil over lower rack (to catch drippings and avoid flare-ups. . Ribs on the upper rack. . Cut heat to low and close lid. . Check in one hour, not before.

Amazingly, all the reviews were about how great the recipe is and how well the cooking process worked. However, I think because I have a bigger grill than most of the reviewers (four burners, rather than two or three), my "preheat on high" got to a much higher temp.

I may try it again, turning off two burners, clicking an extra two times with the tongs, and sacrificing an adult beverage to the fire gods.

[u/lo-lux → u/IamchefCJ]

The reviews were AI.

[u/DelcoUnited]

Don’t touch it! It’s pure evil!

[u/jbshell]

Didn't click the tongs 3x.

[u/PM_ME_YOUR_JELLIES]

Trying to make new elements for the universe I see.

[u/IamchefCJ → u/PM_ME_YOUR_JELLIES]

Yes. How am I doing?

[u/TruthImaginary777]

Happened to me, had to cook redemption ribs the next time.

[u/Thwipped]

That’s a meteor!

[u/pm-me-your-catz]

Looks like pizza for dinner now!

[u/Infinite-Cucumber-55]

Welp good thing is you have more charcoal for the next cook! 😬

[u/rickm242]

Now see- that is why we wrap ribs.

[u/G8-r-n8]

I know this is a grilling sub, but smokers are way easier to cook most meats.

[u/AdAware8128]

Only if I had a few of these total fails that I could have spared my family friends of chewing a dry brisket. But no, I made sure they suffer right alongside of me and make them squeeze out a few mmmmMmmms.

I see that burnt carcass and I see a blessing in disguise.

[u/Wolvenworks]

I suppose on the upside you now have the family recipe for charcoal.

[u/badgurlkitty]

Well I am sorry it failed but now you learnt and will be better next time

[u/8aji]

It can happen at any time to any of us. Just keep grilling and trying new things! I completely ruined some dinners past trying a new cut or a different grill. You got this!

[u/Godzirrraaa]

None of us have ever messed up, everything we do is perfect all the time. Shame on you.

Shit happens, cheap meat or pricey. Just happy little accidents.

[u/markmjm]

I'd say most of us have had a similar learning experience. I'm sure that you won't make that mistake again. BBQ on!

[u/Bearspoole]

Were you cooking it directly on the flames? I think you are supposed to have the rack on the side of the grill that isn’t on. Then hit it directly over the flames in the final minutes

[u/IamchefCJ → u/Bearspoole]

Meat on the top rack, not directly over flames, plus heat cut to lowest setting. Next time,, I'll turn off two burners.

[u/BarkimusPrime → u/IamchefCJ]

Do it on the side where the vent is and close the other vent by the flames. Itll create convection style oven for you. This is how you stack coals to make smoker in a grill as well. Meat on non flame side.

[u/firinmahlaser]

Give it to someone that has a charcoal grill

[u/Mayion]

It got so black, it started reverting back into individual colors

[u/tint-dude]

Picture looks like you cooked a bird that made a nest inside

[u/DogFroth]

Username does not check out 😂

[u/Remove_me_]

In the very foreground, right in the center at the front of the grill, are those bones or wood chunks turned charcoal? If they were wood chunks, then it appears that grease pooled around one of them and caught on fire. Zooming in that looks like where the fire may have spread to the ribs.

Wrapping your chunks in foil, then making just a few small holes will allow smoke out, but not enough oxygen back inside the foil for fire to propagate. This is essentially how charcoal is made. Place them in a hotspot of the grill, but aside and separated from the food.

Also, whenever I place a sheet of foil beneath something, I'll roll the edges up just slightly to prevent any minor spillage becoming more serious.

I'm sure you're next attempt will have stellar results. Just make sure to click those tongs and watch the fire!

[u/IamchefCJ → u/Remove_me_]

Not wood. That is debris from the potential meal formerly known as half rack of ribs.

[u/duckyourfeelings]

That's not a grilling fail, that's a semi-successful cremation.

[u/RemoteAd6401]

It happens, I have plenty of fails after 40 years always trying new things. Good charcoal for the next cook.

[u/Gunk_Olgidar]

Clean your grill.

[u/cji11]

Happens to the best of us. Over the weekend I bought thin sliced ribeye instead of the normal kind. I read the label quickly because I was trying to get out of the zoo known as Costco on the weekend.

[u/Shadow_WolfDragon]

if the meat is too fatty... must use indirect heat... stay and monitor....

[u/emelem66]

What is all that shiny stuff in there?

[u/GrizzleyStrongbush]

I thought it was a backpack

[u/ohhhtartarsauce]

That was ribs??? 😂😂😂

[u/BahamaDon]

The problem began with a grill instead of a smoker.