Cooking Plateau

Unknown

What is meant bt the term " cooking plateau" when doing a long cook like a boston butt for pulled pork?[p]Thanks. D2

Tim M

Davey D in LV,[p]The plateau is where the meat temp stalls and does not rise for hours at a time. The meat is breaking down and juices are flowing in the meat fibres. Then the temps start rising again after a 2-4 hour plateau. I have seen some butts give two plateaus too. I normally bump up the dome temp after the stall is over to 275 deg.[p]Tim

Razorback

Tim M,
What happens if you bump up the dome temperature during the plateau?

Unknown

Tim M,[p]Thanks Tim, and your web site is great resource. Since I got my BGE for Christmas, it is very hard for me to get back into the flow and concentrate on work, all I want to do is learn about and cook on my egg![p]Regards, D2. [p]

Tim M

Razorback,[p]Nothing - it just cooks a little faster. Depends on how much time you have.[p]Tim

Wise One

Razorback, I'll try answering for Tim (but he may correct me). The plateau is where all the fat and connecting tissue breaks down and loosens the meat so that it can be easily pulled. It takes a while to do this. Inceasing the heat too much at this point may increase the meat temperature without thoroughly breaking down all the connective tissue or may dry the meat out more as the connective tissue breaks down. What I know for sure is that when you allow it to cook at about 225 through this plateau, the meat just literally falls apart and all bone and gristle (there is virtually no fat left) can easily be removed and yet the meat is still moist. I've liked this result so much I have never tried increasing the temperature too soon.

Wise One

Tim M,
sorry. Tried to answer for you thinking you weren't around. Took me too long to answer I guess.

Nature Boy

Razorback,
If you bump the temp up before the plateau is finished, then you are "forcing" the meat through the plateau. A better product can be had by waiting until the collagen breakdown is finished.[p]Cheers!
NB

Nature Boy

Howdy Wise One,
Did not see your response when I posted mine! You done said it gooder.[p]Happy New Year
NB

Wise One

Nature Boy, Happy New Year to you. But you used that big word "collagen" that I can never remember.[p]

Razorback

Tim M,
Thanks to all for the answers. I did my first this last weekend and almost got a little impatient. I hung in there through the plateau and it was great.