First time with new smoker

[Roy Roop]

Smoked my first pork shoulder last Sunday. 4lb boston butt. Rubbed down with Everglades All Purpose rub. Smoked for 7 hours at 225. Pulled it at 195*, wrapped in tin foil, and allowed to sit for 30 minutes. Most of it pulled great, Couple areas near the bone were a little tougher.
Flavor was there. And the rub was fantastic. What could i have done different to have it fall apart for me? Smoked with apple wood chips smoker is masterbuilt electric

 

[jbellard]

Roy,
You were so close but all you need to do next time is two things:
First, take a probe and make sure that pork butt is tender throughout. It should feel like a hot knife going through butter everyone.
Second- I usually take the IT up to 205 and achieve this tenderness throughout.

Do these two things and you’ll be good to go my friend.
Let us know how your next one turns out.

 

[hillbillyrkstr]

If it was tougher near the bone it needed more time. I usually pull them around 203 degrees. Bone always pulls out clean.

Scott

 

[gmc2003]

Smoked my first pork shoulder last Sunday. 4lb boston butt. Rubbed down with Everglades All Purpose rub. Smoked for 7 hours at 225. Pulled it at 195*, wrapped in tin foil, and allowed to sit for 30 minutes. Most of it pulled great, Couple areas near the bone were a little tougher.
Flavor was there. And the rub was fantastic. What could i have done different to have it fall apart for me? Smoked with apple wood chips smoker is masterbuilt electric

Roy it sounds like your right on the cusp of it being finished. Normally shoulder need to be taken to 203 to 205*. Sounds like your about a 1/2hr to 45mins. away from the ideal temp. When the bone comes out easily then it's done. Glad it turned out good.

Chris

 

[Roy Roop]

Will do, next time will take it up to 200-205, is what I'm seeing most posts indicate. I was impatient at the 7 hour mark lol. Thanks for the quick reply folks! Smoke on!

 

[Geebs]

Funny how everyone has a different temp, I take mine to 208 everytime and the bone slides out like a hot knife in butter.

 

[SmokinAl]

I think 203 is the magic number, but in any case the bottom line is you didn't cook it long enough!
Al

 

[tropics]

I agree with the 200 to 205 But I use a tooth pick to probe for tenderness.
Richie

 

[Smoke23]

One more thing that you should do on every smoke... Take Pictures and share them with us :D

 

[Roy Roop]

Here's just before I pulled it off.

 

[sauced]

I think 203 is the magic number, but in any case the bottom line is you didn't cook it long enough!
Al

Yes... Al is spot on, you were almost there!!! I cook mine till 205 or until the bone pulls out easily!