Tried a new approach today based on an email from Jeff at Smoking Meat. Take a deboned butt and butterfly it. More surface, more bark! Then just do whatever prep you always do. My results were perhaps the best ever.
In short, I applied liberal Memphis Dust. Used a ramp up method: 1 hr at 150, 1 hr at 200, then 250 until done. 9.5 lb butt done in 8 hours at about 207 temp. Foiled pan and kept smoker at 140 until time to pulll it.
It literally split into 2 halves when taking it off the rack, which I expected. It wasn’t pretty, but no regrets. I will do this again. But next time, after butterflying, I will just go ahead and cut it down the middle to make it easier to handle.
In short, I applied liberal Memphis Dust. Used a ramp up method: 1 hr at 150, 1 hr at 200, then 250 until done. 9.5 lb butt done in 8 hours at about 207 temp. Foiled pan and kept smoker at 140 until time to pulll it.
It literally split into 2 halves when taking it off the rack, which I expected. It wasn’t pretty, but no regrets. I will do this again. But next time, after butterflying, I will just go ahead and cut it down the middle to make it easier to handle.