To smoke ribs at around 225-250°F, the typical cooking time is between 4.5 to 6 hours depending on the type of ribs and method used:

• For pork spare ribs, smoking at 250°F usually takes about 4.5 to 5.5 hours until they reach an internal temperature of 200-205°F and become tender

• Baby back ribs, which are smaller, generally take around 5 hours at 225°F, or slightly less with methods like 2-2-1 or 3-2-1 (hours of smoking, wrapping, and finishing)

• The popular 3-2-1 method involves smoking ribs at 225°F for 3 hours unwrapped, then 2 hours wrapped in foil, and a final hour unwrapped to develop bark, totaling about 6 hours

• The 2-2-1 method for baby back ribs shortens the initial smoke to 2 hours, then 2 hours wrapped, and 1 hour unwrapped, for a total of 5 hours

In summary, at around 225-250°F:

• Spare ribs: about 4.5 to 5.5 hours
• Baby back ribs: about 5 hours (using 2-2-1 or similar method)
• 3-2-1 method total: about 6 hours

Always check for tenderness using the bend test or internal temperature near 200°F for best results