View Full Version : can you cook a but too long?
eagle697
01-11-2008, 08:32 PM
I always try to cook my buts till they hit 195 and it usually takes 7-8 hours. (the average weight i cook is 6-7 lbs) I have been fairly pleased with the results but have a friend at work who told me he cooks buts 20-24 hours. I had never heard of cooking a but that long and wanted to get some feedback before i spent 24 hours doing that.
rprata
01-11-2008, 08:35 PM
I've had 9+lb'ers take close to 24 hours. If you do it at 225, sure, some butts stall at the plateau forever. Some people take butts all the way to ~205F. I use a fork-twist test once it hits 195.
eagle697
01-11-2008, 08:37 PM
whats the fork twist test?
cardiac_cadet002
01-11-2008, 08:38 PM
There are several factors which 1st come to mind. What temps do the 2 of you cook at? What are the size of his butts? (I know what your thinking ya pervs!) The way you cook them is a factor also......such as cooking with a UDS vs. a Bandera.
rprata
01-11-2008, 08:39 PM
whats the fork twist test?
I stick a fork in the butt, and twist the fork a little. Just enough to tell if it's where you want it. I don't go by temp alone with butts. Same as checking a brisket with the probe.
I cook butts on a WSM, usually at 235F.
eagle697
01-11-2008, 08:40 PM
i try too cook around 225-230. the size is usually 6-7.5 lbs.
The_Kapn
01-11-2008, 08:40 PM
All of this depends on the smoker temp!!!
You can "warm" a butt or brisket or whatever to temp at the low 200's or you can cook then at higher temps for a lot less time.
It all works great!
So--please post your actual cooking temps an we can help/
TIM
rprata
01-11-2008, 08:42 PM
Sure, that sounds about right. I've learned with butts (and briskets) they're done when they're done. I've had 9 lb'ers take 14 hours and I've had the same 9 lb'ers take 20 hours. Suckers are done when they feel like being done :mrgreen:
eagle697
01-11-2008, 08:44 PM
i usually cook at 230 till temp hits 195. Is there an advantage to cooking till it hits 205? at what point does it stop getting tender and start to be overcooked?
jestridge
01-11-2008, 09:30 PM
Sure, that sounds about right. I've learned with butts (and briskets) they're done when they're done. I've had 9 lb'ers take 14 hours and I've had the same 9 lb'ers take 20 hours. Suckers are done when they feel like being done :mrgreen: amen on that . they done when they done. Some days they cook fast some they cook slow so allow youself plenty of time.
eagle697
01-11-2008, 09:38 PM
i normally do. i've only had an issue at home once and never at competition with them not being done on time. Ive also never had to keep them wrapped in a cooler for very long. What is the best way to keep a but warm if it ends up done many hours before turn in in a comp? a cooler works well for a few hours, what about after that?
WineMaster
01-12-2008, 10:13 AM
In a 5 day cooler,
Lay down a towel of the bottum then a sheet of aluminum foil.
Put your Butts in next and then another sheet of foil on top.
Soak a Large towel with warm water and ring out leaving a little moisture in the towel.
Close lid and DONT OPEN till its time to take them out.
TexasGuppie
01-12-2008, 10:16 AM
I've done 8 lb. butts for 20 hours along with my briskets and they have turned out great. Come to think of it, I've never done one for less than 15 hours (at 225-250 at the opposite end of the firebox on the top shelf.)
Hmmm.
Jack2u2
01-12-2008, 10:21 AM
Mine average out at about 14 hours.
Gotta get another one of those 5 day coolers. Had mine lifted at a chili cook-off. Can't remember whether or not it had beer in it.
jestridge
01-12-2008, 10:31 AM
yes those 5 day cooler will keep it hot a long time especially if you put towels or newpaper on top
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