"This Butt's For You"

[SmokinSusie-Q]

I started this in response to Garth's message but here's the full story of smoking my 1st Boston Butt.

Friday I brined my 5.39lb butt exactly as suggested by DM. I also had difficulty determining how I was going to get it in the frig and it not leak overnight.  My solution:  I put it in 2 large trash bags in a big plastic container (pictures follow). I washed the brine off Sat. morning and  applied a heavy layer of my basic rub; also secured the meat with twine to hold it together.  4 7/8 oz. hickory and a pan of apple juice had already been placed in the smoker.  At 8:15 am, butt went in the smoker, placed one down from the top rack position.  Temp. was set at 235, and the probe was placed in the thickest part of the butt away from the bone, temp. set for 195.  At 11:15am, temp. was 142; by 5:15, it was 170.  I thought the butt would be finished by 6:30 or 7:00 pm.  My only real concern at this point was that 2 friends were coming at 5:30, and one of them had to be home for a business conference call at 8:00 pm.  Checked at 7:00 pm and the temp. was 179.  I decided to take it off and maybe try putting it on the grill to get the temp. higher.  However, when I removed it, everybody thought it looked done.  So I cut into it, and what a pleasant surprise. . .it was indeed done with a great crust.  It was also juicy and the taste was terrific.  The guests raved about it.  My husband wondered why I would smoke it to 195  anyway.  He thought it could have been taken off sooner.  Comments, please! 

 

[SuperDave]

There really isn't anything wrong with sliced pork shoulder.  Tell your husband that 195 is what it takes to go from sliced pork roast with some texture to melt in your mouth pulled pork.  Nothing wrong with serving it either way. 

 

[SmokinSusie-Q]

Sorry, wrong pictures of my butt!  I can't tell which attachments will show up until the message is posted.  I think I've found the three of the butt:  one in the frig, one before smoking, and one of the finished, cut butt.

 

[NDKoze]

Dave nailed it. I only take my butts to 175 if I am going to slice them, but 190 for pulling.

I haven't done it in awhile, but slicing a butt is a really nice change from pulled pork. I slice relatively the pieces relatively thin. They make awesome pork sandwiches are even better the next day either reheated or for a cold sandwich.

 

[SmokinSusie-Q]

Dave nailed it. I only take my butts to 170 if I am going to slice them, but 190 for pulling.

I haven't done it in awhile, but slicing a butt is a really nice change from pulled pork. I slice relatively the pieces relatively thin. They make awesome pork sandwiches are even better the next day either reheated or for a cold sandwich.

Thanks Gregg and Dave.  I feel so relieved.  I wonder if anyone else doesn't know this small but important piece of information re: smoking butt!  Actually, my husband suggested that I experiment next time and take it off at 170.

 

[NDKoze]

Check out the guide in this thread:
http://smokinitforums.com/index.php?topic=2151.0

Correction to my last post, I usually take my butts to 175 as I have listed in this guide. But, I think it would be fine at 170 too if you have guests starting to climb the walls because they are hungry.

 

[jcboxlot]

FYI, if you are cooking a butt for people coming over LEAVE TIME for it to be done.

Pulled is better at 190.

Regardless of how long it takes to get to 190, also leave time to rest in a cooler.


Just view it was cooking WAY ahead of time and serving leftovers.  Hard concept to maybe master but it works

Even your fav Q joint just doesnt pull butts off the smoker for serving.  LOTS of room time wise to make sure they get happy.

Rule #1 dont rush it

Rule #2 its Q, dont rush it.

 

[NDKoze]

FYI, I start all of my butts at 11:00PM-12:00AM the night before. If they get done early I have wrapped and rested in the cooler for up to 4 hours.

 

[SmokinSusie-Q]

FYI, if you are cooking a butt for people coming over LEAVE TIME for it to be done.

Pulled is better at 190.

Regardless of how long it takes to get to 190, also leave time to rest in a cooler.


Just view it was cooking WAY ahead of time and serving leftovers.  Hard concept to maybe master but it works

Even your fav Q joint just doesnt pull butts off the smoker for serving.  LOTS of room time wise to make sure they get happy.

Rule #1 dont rush it

Rule #2 its Q, dont rush it.

I wasn't smoking it for pulled pork but rather to be served in large chunks, like a roast.  According to Dave and Gregg, It was done at 179.  I probably will never smoke it for pulled pork for dinner.

 

[DivotMaker]

Sounds like you have the temp figured out for sliced/chunked, Susie!  One suggestion I would make would be to use a "binder" before applying your rub.  Plain old yellow mustard makes the BEST bark on pork (in my opinion), but olive oil (extra-virgin) works well, too.  If you don't use something to bind the rub to the meat, it will fall off as the meat starts to release juices.  Believe it or not, yellow mustard leaves absolutely no taste behind, but it sure makes your rub stick good!

 

[SmokinSusie-Q]

Glad you reminded me, Tony.  I did used olive oil before applying the rub.  You've convinced me to try mustard  the next time. 

I may be buying some fresh St. Louis ribs next week and plan to smoke them the same day or the next day.  I don't recall whether you brine them or not.  Do you recommend brining all pork and chicken before smoking?

 

[NDKoze]

Boston Butts, brisket, and chicken yes. Ribs, I don't thing it is really all that necessary or worth the trouble.

 

[DivotMaker]

Do you recommend brining all pork and chicken before smoking?

I've brined ribs, to see, and find it's not worth the effort.  I get the best results by applying mustard/rub the night before, wrap in plastic and let them get happy in the fridge overnight.  The salt in the rub, effectively, works on the protein at the surface of the meat and helps accomplish the same effect as liquid brining.

One more question - you didn't mention ingredients in your "basic rub;" does it contain any sugar?  Sugar, in the rub, plays a very important role in the formation of good bark on the meat.  Seasoning and or salt, alone, will never have the same result as a rub with brown sugar.

 

[SmokinSusie-Q]

Do you recommend brining all pork and chicken before smoking?

I've brined ribs, to see, and find it's not worth the effort.  I get the best results by applying mustard/rub the night before, wrap in plastic and let them get happy in the fridge overnight.  The salt in the rub, effectively, works on the protein at the surface of the meat and helps accomplish the same effect as liquid brining.

One more question - you didn't mention ingredients in your "basic rub;" does it contain any sugar?  Sugar, in the rub, plays a very important role in the formation of good bark on the meat.  Seasoning and or salt, alone, will never have the same result as a rub with brown sugar.

My basic rub does have brown sugar.

 

[DivotMaker]

Good deal, Susie!

 

[SmokinSusie-Q]

Tony, my basic barbecue rub comes from Steven Raichlen's Barbecue Sauces Rubs and Marinades.  His books on grilling have been largely responsible for all the grilling (gas) I've done in the past... and for interesting me in smoking.  I was watching him on the TV program "Project Smoke" when I decided I really wanted to get a designated smoker. . .which led me to Smoking-It.  I'm loving this experience.  Probably Thursday, I'll make my 2nd attempt at smoking ribs.  I bought spare ribs at Piggly Wiggly ("The Pig") today, and will try to smoke them Thursday. . .using mustard with my rub!

 

[DivotMaker]

Steve is a smart guy, Sue!  I like a lot of his stuff, too.  For a really good, off-the-shelf rub, that is fantastic on ribs, try Famous Dave's Rib Rub.  A lot of grocery stores carry it.  Unique, and has a great blend of sweet and heat.  I've made lots of homemade rubs, but this one is always my "go to," especially if I'm short on time.

 

[SconnieQ]

Tony, my basic barbecue rub comes from Steven Raichlen's Barbecue Sauces Rubs and Marinades.  His books on grilling have been largely responsible for all the grilling (gas) I've done in the past... and for interesting me in smoking.  I was watching him on the TV program "Project Smoke" when I decided I really wanted to get a designated smoker. . .which led me to Smoking-It.  I'm loving this experience.  Probably Thursday, I'll make my 2nd attempt at smoking ribs.  I bought spare ribs at Piggly Wiggly ("The Pig") today, and will try to smoke them Thursday. . .using mustard with my rub!

I like Steven Raichlen too for information about BBQ and smoking. He comes from the perspective of a food writer and global historical researcher, and a more scientific approach. Congrats though on NOT purchasing the Bradley (one of his sponsors obviously) which he utilizes in his Project Smoke series. Maybe it's a fine smoker... but seems cheaply constructed, clunky, and don't like that you have to purchase hardwood pucks (seems like it uses a lot too!).

 

[DivotMaker]

Tony, my basic barbecue rub comes from Steven Raichlen's Barbecue Sauces Rubs and Marinades.  His books on grilling have been largely responsible for all the grilling (gas) I've done in the past... and for interesting me in smoking.  I was watching him on the TV program "Project Smoke" when I decided I really wanted to get a designated smoker. . .which led me to Smoking-It.  I'm loving this experience.  Probably Thursday, I'll make my 2nd attempt at smoking ribs.  I bought spare ribs at Piggly Wiggly ("The Pig") today, and will try to smoke them Thursday. . .using mustard with my rub!

I like Steven Raichlen too for information about BBQ and smoking. He comes from the perspective of a food writer and global historical researcher, and a more scientific approach. Congrats though on NOT purchasing the Bradley (one of his sponsors obviously) which he utilizes in his Project Smoke series. Maybe it's a fine smoker... but seems cheaply constructed, clunky, and don't like that you have to purchase hardwood pucks (seems like it uses a lot too!).

+1!!  I almost pulled the trigger on one, before finding SI!  Glad I didn't, due to all the fire reports!  They're notorious for catching fire if the puck shoot clogs!

 

[SmokinSusie-Q]

Tony, my basic barbecue rub comes from Steven Raichlen's Barbecue Sauces Rubs and Marinades.  His books on grilling have been largely responsible for all the grilling (gas) I've done in the past... and for interesting me in smoking.  I was watching him on the TV program "Project Smoke" when I decided I really wanted to get a designated smoker. . .which led me to Smoking-It.  I'm loving this experience.  Probably Thursday, I'll make my 2nd attempt at smoking ribs.  I bought spare ribs at Piggly Wiggly ("The Pig") today, and will try to smoke them Thursday. . .using mustard with my rub!

I like Steven Raichlen too for information about BBQ and smoking. He comes from the perspective of a food writer and global historical researcher, and a more scientific approach. Congrats though on NOT purchasing the Bradley (one of his sponsors obviously) which he utilizes in his Project Smoke series. Maybe it's a fine smoker... but seems cheaply constructed, clunky, and don't like that you have to purchase hardwood pucks (seems like it uses a lot too!).

Kari, your evaluation of the Bradley is consistent with mine.  Not only did I view it as cheaply made and didn't like the hardwood pucks needed, I knew I needed a stainless steel smoker living as close as I do to the water/ocean.  Anything else will rust outside.