Small Butt

[Luke]

Hello All,
I just bought two small bone-in butts at the local grocery store. They are nearly 4# each. I am going to brine them. I have questions concerning the amount of wood to use as well as how long it will take at 225. Any ideas. The butts still have some skin on them as well. Should I leave it on or trim it off?
Thanks

 

[DivotMaker]

Luke,

Those are pretty small for bone-in.  Are you certain they are "Boston butt" shoulders, and not picnic roasts?  Just curious... also pretty unusual to have skin left on a Boston butt.  Definitely remove the skin, and a good portion of the surface fat.  There's plenty of internal fat in a butt for moisture.  Brine, coat with mustard & rub, and into the smoker.

You're probably looking at 5-8 hours to get them to 199, so I'd use about 5 oz of wood.  I use 5-6 oz for an 8 lb butt, but you can use less if you want less smoke flavor; all personal preference there.