BBQ Brainstorm

BBQ’s Best Brains Share Their Advice, Skills & Stories To Help You Take Your BBQ To The Next Level

Sterling Smith

Besides being a great guy and BBQ Legend, Sterling is the Owner and Pitmaster of Loot N’ Booty BBQ and has been competing on the professional BBQ circuit since 2009.

Sterling has won 31 Grand and Reserve Grand Championship Awards, more than 300 top ten awards, 9 perfect “180” scores, 3 – 700+ scores and is a two-time Australian Invitational Lamb Champion.

HOT TIPS on cooking championship pork ribs​

Sterling shares techniques and advice captured during his BBQ Master Class at Turn Left @ Albuquerque.

Trimming your ribs

  • Trimming off the fat exposes the proteins to allow the seasoning and smokey flavours to penetrate the meat
  • When trimming don’t dig down into the meat, use gradual easy shallow cuts and save as much meat as possible

Prepping the underside of your ribs

  • It’s all about removing barriers for the seasoning and smokey flavours to penetrate the protein
  • Trim off excess fat
  • Remove the membrane, keep it dry and use paper towels

Seasoning your pork ribs

  • Sterling’s a big fan of layering, apply 3 layers of seasoning:
  • Trim off excess fat
  • Remove the membrane, keep it dry and use paper towels
    • Bottom: Salt based rub
    • Middle: Flavour rub
    • Top: Colour / sugar rub
  • Apply a medium to light coating

How long should you season your ribs

  • Once applied allow 1 to 2 hours
  • Allows enough time for the salt time to pull the moisture out of the meat, the pH balance to occur and importantly the moisture and flavour be sucked back down into the meat

Position on your BBQ, spritzing & when it’s ready to wrap

  • Use upper racks – allows heat & smoke to circulates around the meat
  • Ribs are ready to wrap when the rub stays on the ribs when scrapped
  • Spritz with H2O, it attracts and sucks smokey flavours into the meat

Wrapping your ribs

  • This stage is about adding flavour & tenderness
  • Use 2 layer of quality foil
  • Add unsalted butter, maple syrup, and BBQ sauce top & bottom
  • Finish off adding apple juice to create moisture (tenderness) and flavour

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James TuskinJames Tuskin
01:01 07 Mar 24
Friendly and knowledgeable.
Nathan HughesNathan Hughes
00:58 06 Mar 24
An awesome range and even better service from the TLA team Glenn, Maria and Jaime.
Kieran HattieKieran Hattie
05:18 06 Feb 24
Amazing experience every time I get out here. The whole staff are extremely knowledgeable and even more friendly! Its an hour drive for me but its still a pleasure going to Turn Left! Highly recommend for all levels of BBQers
Peter DaltonPeter Dalton
21:58 05 Feb 24
Great place for all things bbq,Glenn,Maria and team know their stuff.
Sean MolzerSean Molzer
05:57 30 Jan 24
Great place for all your low n slow bbq needs, massive choice of rubs, smokers and a selection of high quality meats at great prices, will definitely make a regular stop.
James NashJames Nash
08:15 19 Jan 24
I enjoyed this class. I learned some valuable new skills I can’t wait to put into practice. TL@A were great hosts, and I will be booking some more classes.
John PantazisJohn Pantazis
03:47 04 Jan 24
By far the best barbecue/low and slow shop in the business, in Australia. Not only do they have an abundance of stock from sauces/rubs and barbecue accessories, the staff come with a wealth of knowledge and happy to pass on their valuable experience to you. The best!
Clint StrattonClint Stratton
07:33 10 Nov 23
As a previous competitor on the BBQ circuit, This store is the real deal, Glen, Maria and the team have helped with any questions I can throw at them, on every occasion they have nailed it.The only BBQ store you need, from the occasion BBQ dad/mum to expert and top quality cuts and equipment to get you trophys in the comp circuit. 10/10
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