Pork Shoulder Help

nschafer55

Newbie

Original poster

Aug 26, 2011

1

10

• Aug 26, 2011

• #1

I have smoked about 5 Boston butts so far.  They have all been about 7-8 lbs.  I am using a charcoal vertical smoker.  I have had a very hard time keeping the outside from drying out.   Is this normal.  I have not been wrapping the shoulder in foil and I want to avoid this because I like the bark.  I have tried to keep the smoker between 200-250 degrees.  What am I doing wrong?  Any help would be great.  Thanks.

 

hardslicer

Smoking Fanatic

Feb 7, 2011

303

11

Indiana

• Aug 26, 2011

• #2

hang in there brother...the real smoking guru's will be along shortly with the info you need......

 

alaskanbear

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Apr 24, 2011

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Winnsboro, Texas

• Aug 26, 2011

• #3

Well I had the best luck with a wwater pan filled with 1/2 & 1/2 water and apple juice.  Also spraying butt with jusice has kept both a nice bark (not quite as hard) and a moistness.  There are far better geniuses out here that will chime in and lead you down the path opf perfection.

Rich

 

venture

Smoking Guru

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Aug 1, 2008

6,948

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Central California

• Aug 26, 2011

• #4

Lots of ways for you to go, but I would rather wait for the upright users to give you their thoughts.

Good luck and good smoking.

 

pineywoods

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Mar 22, 2008

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Florida

• Aug 26, 2011

• #5

If your comfortable you can get it from 41 internal to 135 internal in less than 4 hours you may consider injecting the butt with a mix of you rub and some apple juice

 

SmokinAl

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Jun 22, 2009

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• Aug 27, 2011

• #6

If you inject it, after you get it through the danger zone you may want to cut the temp back to 210.

If you don't inject it, then try cooking at a lower temp (200-210) the whole time.

Even without foiling this seems to help keep it moist.

 

terry colwell

Smoking Fanatic

Jun 2, 2011

446

24

Dexter Mo.

• Aug 27, 2011

• #7

 I am with AlaskaBear on this one..Just dont over spritz it and soften your bark to much