Virgin Butt Smoker

mcneguy · September 2010

I am christening my new Egg by smoking a pork shoulder for pulled pork this weekend. I run off to Costco because people tell me that I will not believe what is available there meat-wise..and they're right.

I pick up a pork shoulder in the case, 14.67 pounds. I ask the butchers there if they can make it smaller, they say no. The thing is only $25ish so I buy it.

So now, what to do? Smoke the whole thing or cut it in half and freeze the other half. I'm not too sure that smoking something for 20+ hours is a good idea for a guy who has never done this before.

I am requesting your assistance on what to do with this

Mudflap · September 2010

I agree that sounds like a big mountain to climb so early but I wouldn't worry too much. Have you cooked anything on the egg at all? Burgers, hot dogs, chicken, etc?

If not I would at least do that tonight or soon just so you can get the hang of getting it up to your desired temp. Other than that I say GO FOR IT! Like you said it was only $25 so if you ruin it you won't be out a ton. Odds are if you've researched what to do on this forum it will turn out fine. Pork butts are fairly forgiving. You will learn a lot...and probably find you are checking the temp every few minutes but that's all part of the fun.

Florida Grillin Girl · September 2010

Did you open the package? It should be 2 7+ pound butts, at least that's what my Costco sells in one crayovac package. You shouldn't need 20 hours to cook them, mine usually take 12-14 hours.

mcneguy · September 2010

I do have my plate setter and I think I know what to do with it but yes, I have never fired up the egg and tried to manipulate the temperature.

Perhaps tonight I will make burgers, thanks for the advice.

mcneguy · September 2010

I have not opened the package, it is sitting in the trunk of my car, in Orlando..(just kidding). It does look like one thing, is that the way they normally appear?

Cactus Doug · September 2010

I will have to agree with Faith. Seems that costco usually sells 2 boneless butts per cryovac bag. In the package it will look like one big piece. You should tie each one up individually so that they dont fall apart during the cook. Also I would cook both at once, pulled pork dosen't last long at my house and it also freezes well. Good luck.

Florida Grillin Girl · September 2010

Does it have the skin on part of it, and look like it's the begining of the leg? I purchase those too (usually called a picnic) and those weigh 11 lbs. or so.
14+ lbs. musta come from a really big pig!

Don't worry, you have lots of help here regarding cooking it. I wouldn't try an overnighter just yet (have you read all the posts about the fire going out???) What I do is get up early in the AM, get the egg stabilized and put the butt on at 7-8 AM and check on the dome temp throughout the day, and take it off the egg at 10-11PM that night.

The egg stabilizes very easily at 250 dome. Alot of people try to get the egg to stay at 220-225 and that temp is too low to easily maintain without a guru.

fishlessman · September 2010

heres a good writup for a first pulled pork cook. mark up the cooking section, write in big letters 250 degree dome

dont worry if you dont hit it exact, 25 degrees plus or minus wont hurt a thing with this cook. most likely you have two butts in the cryovac, i would cook them both, ones never enough

http://www.nakedwhiz.com/elder.htm

Virgin Butt Smoker

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