Pork Butt - Skin on - Skin off???

Retired RailRoader · November 2005

I have made several butts this year since getting my large egg in Feb. Everytime I have made a butt/shoulder I have left the skin on and I have just cut several deep long criss cross's in the skin. I am reading Peace, Love and Barbecue by Mike Mills a excellent "Q" book for lore and recipes. In his book Mr. Mills says on page 303 "When prepping shoulders, cut off any skin, except for the skin on the shank bone - leave that on.". So my question is when making a butt or shoulder do you leave the skin on and cut x"s into it or do you cut the skin off and leave just the fat?

The Pork Jesters · November 2005

Retired RailRoader,[p]I usually trim all the fat off so I can get more bark. Butts have plenty of fat in them to stay moist. I'm sure many here will disagree but that's just the way I do it. [p]Odis

badbruce · November 2005

Greetings Retired RailRoader,
I've done quite a few butts w/skin on & I find I like 'em better when I can apply a rub directly to the meat. Better bark. Skin off is best for me.
Cheers,
bruce

Nature Boy · November 2005

Retired RailRoader,
Not to disagree with Mike Mills or anything, but I agree with the fellers down below. Get the skin off of there, and enjoy the bark. IMO it won't hurt you to get most of the fat off too.
Have fun!
Chris

thirdeye · November 2005

<p />Retired RailRoader,[p]It's a quick deal to skin and trim the fat off the picnic end. Much more surface area for the bark.[p][p]But scoring the skin does have a visual appeal.[p]~thirdeye~

WooDoggies · November 2005

The Pork Jesters ,[p]I agree, the bark is gold and every square inch of that cut's surface is prime real estate.[p]John

Retired RailRoader · November 2005

Thanks to all for your responces. I guess that next butt I make I will try skin off. Thanks again!!

fishlessman · November 2005

Retired RailRoader,
the butts i get are pretty much already trimmed. with the picnics i leave the skin and fat on and cook them over a fatside down brisket and let it drip all night. i like the picnic brisket cook better than a butt cook.

Unknown · November 2005

WooDoggies,[p]Well . . . . an egger agrees with me.:) Damnation![p]I reckon I better be on the lookout for the black coats and skinny ties that converted Mike in St Louis to an egg. [p]Odis

WooDoggies · November 2005

<p />TPJ,[p]I don't think coercion had anything to do with it, Odis.
Just look at that face.... it's the face of a fella who couldn't fight it any longer... it looks like the face of an egger. [p] :~)[p]John

Unknown · November 2005

WooDoggies,[p]Well, if he had a pocket protector or even had his hair dyed blond, then maybe... ;-)

Unknown · November 2005

WooDoggies, That was the face of desperation, still looking for the water pan in the egg....Mike. (Odis, I did have hair at one time)

Pork Butt - Skin on - Skin off???

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