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1st pork butt, but didn\'t wait til it was 200 deg

Mudflap
Mudflap Posts: 69
edited November -0001 in EggHead Forum
I smoked my first Boston Butt (6lb, bone in) this weekend and probably listened to too many people in the process. I was told expect everything from 8hrs to 18hrs. I kept the egg around 230 and used a rub recipe from Alton Brown. I had the probe in it and thought it got out of that 160-180 zone because it got as high as 187 but then it dropped about 14 degrees. Then when it had been 12 hrs and 30 minutes my father in law, wife and friends all were getting very antsy and wanted me to check it. I relented and cut a hunk off (meat temp was 180). It was great! Tender, juicy and fell apart. I wrapped it up, let it rest, some then we ate it. I can't imagine it being much better. Obviously people on here know more than me, so how much better could it be to leave it on there for hrs longer to get to 200? Most of my family and friends think I'm crazy for wanting to leave it on until it hit 200 degrees.

Comments

  • AZRP
    AZRP Posts: 10,116
    I've pulled them at 185 and they were fine, my target is between 190-195. I don't care for the texture past 200, it starts getting mushy. Just a hint, get you dome temp up to 250 next time. -RP
  • Mudflap
    Mudflap Posts: 69
    IMG00112-20100814-1707.jpg

    First attempt at posting a pic.
  • Celtic Wolf
    Celtic Wolf Posts: 9,773
    It looks lonely on there.. I am just not use to seeing one butt on an eggs anymore :woohoo:

    That 14 deg drop you experience was probably the difference between fat and muscle. Bet the first time you were in the fat.

    Anywhere between 185-195 is a good range. 170-185 is a good slicing range.
  • tnels
    tnels Posts: 75
    I did the same thing on my first butt. Sounds like your results were fine, but mine weren't. I now shoot for 195-200 and have been able to produce consistent results. Over 200 and it gets a little mushy, but I'll take over a 185 butt.