How to tell if pork butts are done without a thermometer ?

Yes! If the probe goes through like butter it is done. Yummy!!That is always my final test.
 
If it is bone in, wiggle and pull the bone, if it moves easily and pulls loose, it is done. If it is without a bone, you can reach in and try pulling a chunk free, if it comes free, then it is done.
 
If it's bone in, even in foil, it'll "wiggle" and feel like it's about to fall apart. First MBN comp I'd done we were cooking 9 20# whole shoulders. Having never cooked this volume of meat, I'd figured/added additional time. Silly me decided not to put the therm in until the last turn of the meat. WRONG. We opened 'er up and as soon as I grabbed the first shoulder I stopped, paused, and with a panic I looked to my team mate and said "Oh $*(#, they're done". It was 3am. I'd planned on them cooking until 7am. Anyway, you can tell by the feel...

Oh, for the guys who say it's about 1.5 hours per pound; all 9 of the 20# whole shoulders were DONE (slightly over-done actually) at 10 hours, at 250 degrees. Reverse flow smokers apparently have this convection type of thing going on....
 
When I smoke 2 buttsat the same time, I have always taken them off at the same time. I guess it would be best check each one for doneness. They are never the same size in a 2 pack. One is always bigger. I was checking temp on the largest, thinking if that one is done, they must all be done.
 
I do the bone wiggle test, or you can stick a fork in it and if you can turn it 360 degrees it should be done..
 
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I agree with everyone. Poke it and wiggle the bone. It will let you know when it's done, because it will start to slip free. Be prepared with some gloves, it will take both hands to move the butt off the grate. Foil it and let it rest as long as you can stand to.​


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one thing for sure is knowing your cooker and how it works i have cooked pork shoulders that should have con for 13 hours and were done in 9 and my temp gauge was correct holding steady at 250.
you will deffinetly know when it is done without a therm.
 
Pappy said:
Good advise "Wigglin the Bone".
How big of a window is it before it Goes from being done to overcooked?
Click to expand...

pretty large window if cooking at 225-250. butts are very forgiving too, everyone should start there and work into briskets.
 
landarc said:
If it is bone in, wiggle and pull the bone, if it moves easily and pulls loose, it is done. If it is without a bone, you can reach in and try pulling a chunk free, if it comes free, then it is done.
Click to expand...
X2...I smoked for years without a thermometer and to be honest, it has gotten me into more trouble than when I didn't use one. The cheaper ones inevitably fail and ...:doh:
 
Lake Dogs said:
Oh, for the guys who say it's about 1.5 hours per pound; all 9 of the 20# whole shoulders were DONE (slightly over-done actually) at 10 hours, at 250 degrees. Reverse flow smokers apparently have this convection type of thing going on....
Click to expand...

Really found this out yesterday. I cooked two pork butts and a brisket. I was figuring on an hour and half also. The five pound brisket was done, (over done actually), in three and half hours and the pork butts were at two hundred IT in six and half hours. I also have a reverse flow smoker and was cooking at 250. Anyone know any more about this convection thing?
 
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