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Smoking my first butt this weekend(Update pg 3)

Posted on 9/26/17 at 9:57 am
Posted by cforester821
Unofficial TD Multimedia Guy
Member since Jun 2014
1619 posts
Posted on 9/26/17 at 9:57 am
I've smoked plenty racks of ribs, chicken wings, etc. but never a butt.

Looking for some recs/tips for my first time.

I've heard of the infamous "stalling," but was wondering if anyone else had any things to look out for, tips, etc.

Should I marinade the whole thing? Inject it? Bone in or no bone? Any recipes y'all have that I could use?

I'd appreciate any and all advice. TIA.
This post was edited on 10/1/17 at 8:58 pm
Posted by bconne1
Member since Jun 2006
776 posts
Posted on 9/26/17 at 9:59 am to
I’d get a bone-in, brine it and go with a simple rub.

Then for future butts, you can get fancy with injections and tweak the rub a little.

I prefer bone-in because it’ll tell you when it’s ready.
Posted by SUB
Silver Tier TD Premium
Member since Jan 2009
25449 posts
Posted on 9/26/17 at 10:12 am to
I don't inject anything I smoke. I want to taste the meat and smokiness, and injections get in the way of that. I usually use simple rubs.

As far as your smoke...butt's take a while so leave yourself plenty of time. They are very forgiving though, so you don't have to worry to much about overcooking it.

Look up Aaron Franklin's recipe on youtube.
Posted by HebertFest08
The Coast
Member since Aug 2008
6532 posts
Posted on 9/26/17 at 10:24 am to
Bone in... and a rough estimate is about 1-1.5 hrs a lb. if you get in a crunch for time you can always wrap it.
If the bone doesn't pull out, it prolly isn't ready.

You can use some sort of fruit wood and or pecan. They usually work well. Have a buddy that placed in the top 10 overall at Memphis in may this year in shoulder. Uses pecan and cherry.

Also.... I personally like keeping a pan of water in there to keep things moist.

I personally go around 235-250 depending on what my smoker is doing that day...

I don't inject, fat side up and liberally season with a bad byruns and brown sugar mixture.
Posted by Saskwatch
Member since Feb 2016
18183 posts
Posted on 9/26/17 at 10:27 am to
quote:

bad byruns and brown sugar mixture.


If you use bad byrons I strongly recommend adding the brown sugar. It needs it to cut the salt
Posted by HebertFest08
The Coast
Member since Aug 2008
6532 posts
Posted on 9/26/17 at 10:37 am to
quote:

you use bad byrons I strongly recommend adding the brown sugar. It needs it to cut the salt


I don't find it to be over the top on salt. That being said, if that's all I was using I would guesstimate like I would do with a normal mixed Cajun seasoning. I generally go about 1:1 with bad byruns and brown sugar.

Was a thread on here with some information on a seasoning blend company that does good stuff up in Memphis....
Posted by ChatRabbit77
Baton Rouge
Member since May 2013
5904 posts
Posted on 9/26/17 at 10:48 am to
Bone in for sure. Watch the Franklin BBQ Boston Butt Episode for it. His method works perfectly.
Posted by Trout Bandit
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Dec 2012
15030 posts
Posted on 9/26/17 at 11:08 am to
I cut Bad Byron’s 2:1 with turbinado and I like my results. Cook it fat up at 235-250 until it hits an internal temperature of 195.
Posted by jmon
Loisiana
Member since Oct 2010
10279 posts
Posted on 9/26/17 at 11:16 am to
What type smoker are you using and do you plan to use a water pan?
Posted by cforester821
Unofficial TD Multimedia Guy
Member since Jun 2014
1619 posts
Posted on 9/26/17 at 11:18 am to
quote:

What type smoker are you using and do you plan to use a water pan?



Got a dyn-a-glo bullet smoker and I do intend to use a water pan.
Posted by CHEDBALLZ
South Central LA
Member since Dec 2009
23240 posts
Posted on 9/26/17 at 12:23 pm to
Posted by jmon
Loisiana
Member since Oct 2010
10279 posts
Posted on 9/26/17 at 12:34 pm to
The water pan is used strictly as a heat sink, that is, to help maintain the temp in the 225 to 275 range.

I would keep the rub simple for your first attempt, S&P, brown sugar, garlic, and other spices of your choosing. Search for rub recipes and gravitate to the more simple ones and that peak your interest. This way, you have a basis to build off for future attempts. Butts are very forgiving so it's difficult to screw it up.

Purchase some Hawaiian slider rolls, make a simple, sweet slaw, some jalapeño peppers, red onions soaked in vinegar and pile on the pulled pork.

ETA: I like to use fruit woods and one hickory/ pecan chunk in the first few hours of smoke. Your good to go after that and no further smoke wood is needed.
This post was edited on 9/26/17 at 12:35 pm
Posted by jmon
Loisiana
Member since Oct 2010
10279 posts
Posted on 9/26/17 at 12:36 pm to
This recipe looks good, minus the injection, imo. I never inject pork butts.
Posted by Dav
Dhan
Member since Feb 2010
8152 posts
Posted on 9/26/17 at 12:45 pm to
No marinades or injections. Keep it simple. I use a store bought pork rub for conveince sake but any rub you would normally use on ribs or wings would be fine here.

I smoke with cherry wood for pork butt but any fruit wood would work. I like a mix of cherry and oak. Also, I spritz the pork with apple juice towards the end of the cook before I wrap.

Stalling will happen around 160-170 degrees. I typically let it power through the stall first, then at 180 wrap in foil. Let go until 200.

Pork butt is very forgiving so a higher heat is fine. I usually smoke at 275-285. Takes about 10 hours for a 8lb butt.
This post was edited on 9/26/17 at 12:49 pm
Posted by KosmoCramer
Member since Dec 2007
80517 posts
Posted on 9/26/17 at 1:25 pm to
What's a decent price /pound for a pork butt?
Posted by udtiger
Over your left shoulder
Member since Nov 2006
115058 posts
Posted on 9/26/17 at 1:26 pm to
so that's what the kids are calling it these days...
Posted by NoCarsGo
Baton Rouge and I-10
Member since Nov 2015
115 posts
Posted on 9/26/17 at 1:43 pm to
use lube.. and ease it in.. LOL, jk. good luck!
This post was edited on 9/26/17 at 1:44 pm
Posted by Shotgun Willie
Member since Apr 2016
4270 posts
Posted on 9/26/17 at 1:53 pm to
quote:

Look up Aaron Franklin's recipe on youtube.



This....I used to not inject, but I have the last two times and they have come out amazing! I make this injection, and then just inject the hell out of it:

Chris Lilly's Six-Time World Championship Pork Shoulder Injection
3/4 cup apple juice
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup white sugar 1/4 cup table salt
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
Combine all ingredients and stir until sugar and salt are dissolved.

I've also started not wrapping my pork butt. Seems to make the bark even better. I do spray it every now and then with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and hot sauce.

Good luck.
Posted by tigerfoot
Alexandria
Member since Sep 2006
61397 posts
Posted on 9/26/17 at 1:58 pm to
quote:

No marinades or injections. Keep it simple. I use a store bought pork rub for conveince sake but any rub you would normally use on ribs or wings would be fine here.

I smoke with cherry wood for pork butt but any fruit wood would work. I like a mix of cherry and oak. Also, I spritz the pork with apple juice towards the end of the cook before I wrap.

Stalling will happen around 160-170 degrees. I typically let it power through the stall first, then at 180 wrap in foil. Let go until 200.

Pork butt is very forgiving so a higher heat is fine. I usually smoke at 275-285. Takes about 10 hours for a 8lb butt.


I pay zero attention to pork, they are just about fool proof. I am not a fan of any injections, except for turkey breast.

I season with what ever I have in the cabinet and put on the Primos with oak, pecan, or some fruit wood chunks. Let it settle somewhere between 225 and 275, and let her rip till she is ready.
Posted by CHEDBALLZ
South Central LA
Member since Dec 2009
23240 posts
Posted on 9/26/17 at 2:14 pm to
If I brine I dont inject.
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