Newbie Pork Loin...Success!

itsmce

I've had my large BGE a little over a month and have been successful with everything I have tried.  Was fearful to tackle a pork loin because my past experiences cooking loin has been that they are so very dry, but I was brave and in the end was glad that I tackled the beast.

The prep:  I gave the 4 pound loin a slathering with yellow mustard and olive oil then coated all sides with a sprinkling of Lowrey's season salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and celery salt.  This is the combination that my grandmother used on baby back ribs way back in 1953 before it was cool to use rubs and smoke ribs on a home rig.  Thanks, DBC!

The rigging: Set up the Egg for indirect cook with the plate setter legs up. I used BGE charcoal and tossed in a few hickory chunks right before I put the loin on. I put the loin in my V-Rack and set the V-rack in a drip pan and the drip pan on the grate. I was targeting 300 degrees, but it actually started out a little below that.

The cook:  The first 30 minutes the temp worked its way from 250 up to 300 degrees, after that it held steady at 300.  I inserted a temperature probe after about an hour and after a total cooking time of almost 2 hours the loin reached 158 degrees.  We were anxious for dinner, so I plucked the loin from the Egg at that time.  It rested for 10 to 15 while the rest of the meal was prepped.

The result:  Delicious!  The loin was wonderfully juicy and it had a nice pink smoke ring about a third of an inch in from the exterior. I took pictures to share, but can't figure out how to size them appropriately.

I can't wait until Pork Loins are on sale again!

 

 

Ragtop99

Good cook.  It's  a good thing patience ran out.  Going much higher in temp would have resulted in it being dry.

itsmce

Here's the loin, sliced and plated.

Griffin

Congrats. Wish you had some sliced up pics. Try pulling it a bit sooner. FDA says pork is safe at 145F now, if you can get people to eat pink pork. I usually pull mine at 140 and let it rest.

Biggreenpharmacist

Looks great. I pull mine at 140 and pull the platesetter and let it fire up then sear all 4 sides over direct heat. We like that caramelized crust on outside. I do everything else basically same.

SmokeyPitt

It looks beautiful.  I too have started going a little lower with pork; but it looks like 158 worked out just fine for you. 

If you get the chance, try a rack of pork.  Basically a pork loin with the ribs still attached.  They usually go on sale at Costco around the holidays.  

caliking

@SmokyPitt - I got my first egg right around xmas last year, and by the time I got to Costco to pick up a rack o' pork - they were all out! I have been lusting after rack o' pork since then, and can't wait to cook one this year.

@itsmce - haven't done a loin yet, but cooks like yours make me want to. Nicely done.

revolver1

Glad yours turned out well.  I do mine to about 145/150 IT.  Slight pink center.  Family loves them that way.  

SmokeyPitt

caliking said:

@SmokyPitt - I got my first egg right around xmas last year, and by the time I got to Costco to pick up a rack o' pork - they were all out! I have been lusting after rack o' pork since then, and can't wait to cook one this year.

@itsmce - haven't done a loin yet, but cooks like yours make me want to. Nicely done.

Cali it is an excellent cook.  I can't wait until they are back again this year!