Overnight butt - danger zone?

pwshine

Put a 7.75 lb butt on last night around 7:30 pm. Stabilized egg at a temp of 250. Checked multiple times until 11:00-ish. Went to bed and didn't check on it until 7:00 this morning. First thing I noticed was the temperature gauge at around 100 degrees. The butt read about 130 in the meatier part and between 150-160 around the bone. I didn't have to relight, so the fire wasn't completely out and took about 15-20 min. to rise to about 350-400 before stabilizing again. I didn't want to give up before doing some research and get some opinions.

I've done multiple butts in the 8-9 months since I've had it, only waking up once to a low temperature issue but not this low.

All that being said, have I lost it? Should I really discard it?

NPHuskerFL

I'd say you're fine. I wouldn't be too concerned considering the info you've given. 

Jupiter Jim

That's up to you! The danger zone is below 140 for more than 4 hours it's not safe. If it was 250 at 11:00 it most likely did not fall below 140 for a while, plus all the nasty bugs were more likely cooked off before the temp went south. All the bacteria is on the outside of the meat and is cook off long before the temp went south.  I like my sleep and wont spend the $$$$$ for a controller because I can do a Turbo cook in 5 hours and I promise for pulled pork you can't tell the difference. No more overnight cooks for me. Good luck and hopefully others will chime in.

gdenby

Should not be a problem. At temp the meat was, there wouldn't have been any pathogen growth, and measurements I've made show that the time it takes for the air temp to drop to 100F from 140F is between 45 - 60 min. Might have been a little longer cause your fire wasn't extinguished, but still safe.

Sea2Ski

Based on the information you provided, I would not hesitate to eat it. It does not say where you are, otherwise, if I knew you were nearby I would stop by and prove it.

Enjoy!

rmercier

You should invest in a wireless temp monitor...I got a Maverick 732 on eBay for about $55. Most def saved me a couple of times.

pwshine

Guess we'll take the chance...finished product

pwshine

Pulled off after hitting 195-200 degrees. Foiled up now, waiting to be dug into. 

Thank you for the responses!

gdenby

Looks sooo good.

feef706

@Jupiter Jim I'm going to do turbo next time, no more overnights for me either after learning of this alternative