WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO DO PORK BUTTS?

[Mooner]

Originally Posted by RIX

I know this is an old thread off the road map but I am doing a butt this coming weekend on a weber kettle, I don't think I will be able to keep the temps down around 225-250, I am guessing more like 300+. The rule seems to be 1-1.5 hours per lb at the lower temps, what kind of time per lb can I expect if my kettle holds at around 300? Thanks for the great info guys. RIX

If you do it hot your gonna have to go by feel or temp probe. The same rules still apply though. Get that 1.5 hours per pound out of your head. If this is your first one then you can use that rule as a very rough and I mean very rough time estimate but the thing is done when it's done. At high heat 300-325 remove the fat cap, rub her down with little sugar in your rub and cook it. Every 20 minutes to half hour flip it and rotate the meat. When it starts to look nice and crusty or at 160 internal wrap it in foil with a little apple juice and still flip it every half hour. Your butt should be done in 4 hours at 325. You have to feel your meat. Press it with your fingers..does it feel mushy like a rare steak? If it does then your done, or when it hits 200-205.

[RIX]

Thanks guys, I have really studied up on the road map and think I have everything figured out (sure to have some hiccups but thats ok). I will definatly pay more attention to meat temp and feel than time but I want to have this done around a certain time so I'd like to know about when to start. For an 8 lb butt I will give myself a good 10 hours prior to serve time, like you said I will cooler it for a while if I have the extra time. Thanks again guys. RIX

[chinesebob]

Originally Posted by LGerber

Very interesting reading in this thread, and I am looking forward to using some of the tips suggested. I really liked the idea of apple juice and bourbon

I use apple cider, a little butter, and bourbon. Unless I want to drink it too then I skip the butter.

I put mine in smoke to 195 and pull them off. I foil them for about 20 - 30 minutes afterwards but I don't put them back on. They fall apart in my hands.

Of course with Ginny it's hard to mess up a piece of meat unless sh runs out of water..

[RIX]

Originally Posted by BadBoysBBQ

If you do it hot your gonna have to go by feel or temp probe. The same tules still apply though. Get that 1.5 hours per pound out of your head. If this is your first one then you can use that rule as a very rough and I mean very rough time estimate but the thing is done when it's done. At high heat 300-325 remove the fat cap, rub her down with little sugar in your rub and cook it. Every 20 minutes to half hour flip it and rotate the meat. When it starts to look nice and crusty or at 160 internal wrap it in foil with a little apple juice and still flip it every half hour. Your butt should be done in 4 hours at 325. You have to feel your meat. Press it with your fingers..does it feel mushy like a rare steak? If it does then your done, or when it hits 200-205.

Thats great info, thanks. Looks like I can scale back the amout of time needed a bit, and like you said its done when its done, but more like 6 or 7 hours prior to serving I will start rather than 10 hours. Thanks again.

[Smokin Gator]

Don't cut yourself too short. Better to be done way early and cooler than to be sweating having it done. Don't be afraid to have it coolered for 3-5 hours.

If you have a smallish cooler (for one butt) just fill the rest of the space with old towels.

If you realize it will be in the cooler for 2 or more hours I would consider pulling at 195. It is going to continue cooking for quite a while.

Best of luck bro...

[spicewine]

I have had a number of butts stick " Hang at a certain temp and not continue to increase in temp" for an hour or so. I don't go by the time per pound rule. You have to treat each butt differently and go with internal temps as opposed to time. I cook mine at 210-230 and take it to about 190 and cooler if done early. In comps I will cook no less tha 3 butts to get the best flavor advantage and try to get some slices if I can. I do inject but do not spritz.

Spice

[Bigmista]

Why can't you cook at a lower temperature?

[Meat Burner]

Originally Posted by Bigmista

Why can't you cook at a lower temperature?

What Bigmista said.

[Yakfishingfool]

Wouldn't the temps in the meat really determine the plan of action? I take butts to 195, foil and pull at 205. Maybe a bit too high but damn they are juicy and tender. No injectates, just a rub and foil. Scott

[tony76248]

After I have applied rub to my butt, I will place it in a disposable aluminum pan then cook (I smoke just about everything at 225) it that way until an internal temp of 200 is achieved, it will normally take all night. Then once I have that temp, I will pour all of the grease/liquids from the pan (there will be a bunch) and I will then wrap with foil or just place foil over the pan, I will then place in cooler until ready to pull/serve. Some folks will reapply the rubs at some point during the cook or just prior to foiling, that will be your call. Also if you use the aluminum pan you can pour out the grease and add some apple juice prior to letting rest in the cooler.

[Bigdog]

Originally Posted by tony76248

After I have applied rub to my butt, I will place it in a disposable aluminum pan then cook (I smoke just about everything at 225) it that way until an internal temp of 200 is achieved, it will normally take all night. Then once I have that temp, I will pour all of the grease/liquids from the pan (there will be a bunch) and I will then wrap with foil or just place foil over the pan, I will then place in cooler until ready to pull/serve. Some folks will reapply the rubs at some point during the cook or just prior to foiling, that will be your call. Also if you use the aluminum pan you can pour out the grease and add some apple juice prior to letting rest in the cooler.

Tony,
Do you discard all the juices?

[tony76248]

Yes I do, it will sometimes be up to the brim of the aluminum pan. If I do not use a pan, it works good too, but you tend to get a bunch of grease in the bottom of the smoker. The meat will still be incredibly moist. That said, I use a Stumps cooker. I would imagine that with a stick burner, the end product will be somewhat drier.

[Bigdog]

Originally Posted by tony76248

Yes I do, it will sometimes be up to the brim of the aluminum pan. If I do not use a pan, it works good too, but you tend to get a bunch of grease in the bottom of the smoker. The meat will still be incredibly moist. That said, I use a Stumps cooker. I would imagine that with a stick burner, the end product will be somewhat drier.

I have never tried a pan before. Usually put the butts on top as a baster, or on top of the water pan. Thanks for replying so fast.

[RIX]

Originally Posted by Bigmista

Why can't you cook at a lower temperature?

I have just found that on my weber kettle that it is hard to keep the temps below 275 or 300, unless I want to be opening the lid and adding pieces of charcoal every 20 min.
My plan is to start with 20 pieces of rancher lit in the chimney, add a 1 or 2 small pieces of smoke wood, let the smoek settle for a bit then put the butt on. Then monitor internal temp of meat and temp of cook area, I will shoot for the lowest temp possible but it seems hard to get below 275.
Maybe if I use the minion method, say 20-25 pieces of unlit rancher and add 10 pieces of lit rancher and a wood chunk or 2.

[big brother smoke]

Originally Posted by tony76248

Yes I do, it will sometimes be up to the brim of the aluminum pan. If I do not use a pan, it works good too, but you tend to get a bunch of grease in the bottom of the smoker. The meat will still be incredibly moist. That said, I use a Stumps cooker. I would imagine that with a stick burner, the end product will be somewhat drier.

I do the same thing! Pan is filled to the brim and I am burning sticks.