Step 1

Pre-soak wood chips in water for 1/2 hour.

Step 2

Preheat wood chips in smoker to get to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 3

Remove ribs from any packaging and pat dry.

Step 4

Remove silver skin and trim off any excess sloppy bits from ribs.

Step 5

Mix rub ingredients well, cover completely over ribs.

Step 6

Let come to room temperature while wood begins to smoke and smoker comes to temperature.

Step 7

Smoke ribs on smoker for 3 hours.

Step 8

Lay out foil and lay ribs on top, adding butter, juice, and cider into foil and wrap ribs tightly in foil.

Step 9

Cook in foil for 2 hours.

Step 10

Open foil and baste ribs in cooking liquids for one more hour, let set for 15 minutes.

Step 11

Baste another 2-3 times with cooking liquids, letting the juices "set" each time, to form a crunchy bark. Total time for final smoke will be one hour.

Step 12

When ribs are crunchy to your preference, remove and let rest at least 15 minutes before slicing or serving.

Step 13

Baste a thin layer of your favorite BBQ sauce over ribs, and let set while they cook for about 15 minutes. Sauce will be sticky, not runny.

Step 14

Repeat with another thin layer of sauce, letting set, up to 2 more times.  Total time for final smoke will be one hour. Let ribs rest at least 15 minutes before slicing or serving.