Finally Ready for my first Butt

[vortex24]

  Even though I have only been a member for a week and because so many Great new Friends have stepped in to offer advice l have learned a great deal about my Smoker and have made the suggested mods to it. It is a New Braunsfeld (looks like the Char Broil Silver Smoker).

 Also been doing a lot of research on smoking my first Pork Butt for my birthday party (one of the hazards of enjoying what the smoker can do). The only hard fact I have discovered is there is no set time so don't plan on having it ready for the family to enjoy at a specific time.  I purchased an 8 pounder and will do the mustard and rub the night before.

 Given the hard fact above, I am going to start it the night before. Am estimating 6 hours to get to 165 degrees will then pull, double wrap and put in the oven at 230 degrees for about 7 hours (Doing Jeff's the best mistake I ever make route). If it is put on at 5 pm I should have it ready around 7 am and then will turn off the oven and let it REST for a few hours. We will not be eating until 3 pm so I have around 6 to 7 hours before we eat if I need to make any adjustments if needed.

 Does my plan hold water and also what is the best way to store the finished Butt for the 6 to 7 hours? I know I will have to reheat in the oven prior to eating and add the BBQ Sauce.

  I want to thank everyone again for all their help and suggestions.

  Fynis in Arizona

 

[nickyb]

Sounds like a good plan, though I don't care for how much time after you finish is before you heat it up and eat it.  Personal preference.  As for the rest of it I would suggest wrapping the butt in towels and placing it in a cooler.  That will help it retain heat.

Nick

 

[vortex24]

  Nick,

   So you think keeping it in a cooler for 6 hours will be fine? I just didn't know If I should put in the refrigerator for a few hours or not.

  thanks for the replya and have a Great Holiday

  Fynis

 

[nickyb]

I haven't ever done the cooler method but I have seem around here that it seems to maintain a pretty good temp for 4ish hours.  I would rather keep it there with a thermometer in it and if it falls to low then go ahead and put it back in the smoker/oven and warm it back up.  If you put it in about 2 hours before you plan to serve at 225°F it will help warm it up.

 

[scarbelly]

I have wrapped butts in towels and put them in a cooler for 8 hours and they were still so hot I had to use gloves to handle. The key is no vacant space in the cooler. Make sure the entire cooler is filled with towels or blankets and you will be fine. 

 

[nickyb]

  Heh, I knew someone was going to show up eventually that knew more than me.

 

[frosty]

Nicky and Scarbelly are correct.

I leave the probe in, and then place the foiled butt in a plastic trash bag to prevent leakage.  Then fill the cooler with blankets and towels.

I've also had a butt that sat for 7 hours that was still too warm to handle.  It will be TENDER, but delicious.

Good luck!

Happy Memorial day! 

 

[smokinhusker]

It will stay nice and toasty...just waiting to be pulled! 

Enjoy and don't forget some pics for us