$1.39/lb Pork Butt made me do it - Complete w/qview and write up

[bmudd14474]

As the title says…

Found pork butt on special at the local store for $1.39/lb. Picked up 3 packs — one for pulled pork, one for sausage (coming soon), and one for the freezer. Honestly, I should’ve grabbed more for the freezer, but that’s okay.

Got them trimmed up, removing the glands and stray bone pieces left from processing. Rubbed them down and fired up the smoker.

Into the smoker they went.
(For anyone curious about my recent temp issues, I talked about that HERE.)

• 2.5 hours in

• 5.5 hours in

• 7 hours in

At that point, they were ready to be wrapped and transferred to the oven to finish overnight at 205°F.

By 7 AM, both butts were probe tender, but the internal temps were different: one read 199°F and the other 178°F. I decided to do a little experiment — one was wrapped in butcher paper, the other in foil.

Butcher Paper Butt

Foil

Bone

Results:

• During the pull, both were almost identical in tenderness.
• The texture had subtle differences.
• The bark was noticeably different: darker and more intact on the butcher paper wrap compared to foil.

Here’s a shot of both in a large catering tray. Can you tell which is which?

• Left: Foil wrap
• Right: Butcher paper wrap

Both held plenty of juice, but the butcher paper one definitely kept the bark better.

I also collected the drippings and let them cool so the fat could separate. The next day, I removed the fat cap and mixed the juice back into the pork. (I’ll try to get a picture of that tomorrow and update here.)

 

[bmudd14474]

Got the fireboard working tonight. Figured I'd give it some love since I have been testing other stuff lately.

Here's the chamber temp settling in https://share.fireboard.io/918322

 

[Ishi]

Ready for the outcome on those beauties!

 

[bmudd14474]

2.5hrs in

 

[jcam222]

Love my Fireboards!! I'd love to see butts at that price!

 

[indaswamp]

i'm in the CAR!!!!

 

[SmokinEdge]

Looking pretty dang Skippy so far, I’m in.

 

[JLinza]

Ill tag along

 

[processhead]

bmudd14474 What are you using for your dry rub on those butts?

 

[bmudd14474]

5.5hrs in.

Love my Fireboards!! I'd love to see butts at that price!

I just happened into the store and there they were. It wasnt in the ad. The lady said it's a store special. Got 3 cryo packs.

bmudd14474 What are you using for your dry rub on those butts?

Its my homemade rub

 

[processhead]

Looks really good so far.

 

[bmudd14474]

About to come off for the wrap

About to be wrapped for the night

See yall in the AM.

 

[912smoker]

Looking good Brian and gonna taste even better!

Keith

 

[forktender]

Those look Kill'er, Brian...can't wait to see them cracked open.
I sure wish I could find P.B. at that price, once again, haven't seen those prices since pre covid around here. I'd have bought at least four, I need to make up some spicy Dego, and breakfast sausage. And ground pork for meatloaf, and green chili.

Look'in good, bruth'a!!!
Dan.

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

Those looking really good. Man that's going to be a lot of meat goodness.

 

[bmudd14474]

All pulled.

Juice sitting waiting for the separation

I have alot to say on this one so I'll edit the first post as there are alot of details and some experimenting that I did on this one.

Once I get to my laptop I'll get it going.

 

[processhead]

Wow, Looks great.

 

[JLinza]

Looks darn good, Brian.

 

[indaswamp]

Beautimus!!!

 

[forktender]

All pulled.

View attachment 722708

Juice sitting waiting for the separation

View attachment 722709

I have alot to say on this one so I'll edit the first post as there are alot of details and some experimenting that I did on this one.

Once I get to my laptop I'll get it going.

Look'in killer, bruth'a!!!

I just made up a huge pot of Hatch chilies to can up, that would be killer ladled over the top of a pulled pork sandwich. I'll bring the guacamole, Hatch & Anaheim green chili, freshly made crema, and tortilla chips that were made this morning, I'm on my way. LOL!!!