30 hour cook.... wow.

stike

I posted earlier about leaving the egg unattended during a lo-and-slo, and remrked that I was happily surprised to find the egg within 5 degrees or so of where I left it when I returned (after a day at 'work').[p]Well, I wanted to add that I am just completely amazed by this thing (the BGE). I have done a few overnight pork-shoulders, and have always had great luck with the egg and temps/time, but this time just blew my mind. This thing is amazing...[p]Because we planned to eat at 1pm on Saturday, I knew that I couldn't do a 9.5 pound shoulder if I started it the night before, at least not at 220-dome, and cooked to 200 internal. So i started it Friday morning, figuring I'd extend the cook by smoking it at 200 dome, and bumping it at the end if needed to hit 200 internal. I figured it would take (or, I'd allow for) a 30-hour cook. Yikes.[p]I built a pretty standard fire of lump, filled the egg up to within 2 inches of the top of the fire ring (below the grate). Lots of hickory, some maple. I used Fresh Royal Oak (new bag) and mixed in smaller tailings from the last bag, and the unused lump from a previous cook.[p]As I've said, the Egg held within 10 degrees of 200-dome all day while I was at work (the wife WAS home most of the day, egg only unatteneded for a few hours). When I woke the next morning, it was at 210, and I bumped it back to 200.[p]For the 'run-in', the last two hours, I bumped it to 250 for the last 15 degrees (from 185 until it hit 200 internal).[p]The fire never wavered, the smoke was near-continuous, and the pulled pork was the best I've ever done. Great crust, as moist as we have come to expect, and smoked beautifully. I don't think i'd willingly go 30 hours again (I get great results at 220 dome, and save 8 hours or so), but I just can't help relate to you all this story. The control that this thing provides is amazing. And the Royal Oak lump I am sure is a factor. It is the best I've used by far.[p]The egg performed unbelievably. Better than ever.
Man do I love this thing....[p]