How to rest a Pork Butt

[register1]

Hi all,

I am new to the site and am smoking my first pork butt today.  I rubbed with mustard and dry seasoning last night and put it in the smoker this morning at 8 am

8.5lb pork butt

Brinkman electric smoker

Mesquite chips - I usually use hickory because I like the tang

I am trying to go for the bark rather than foil just for the challenge of it.

My question is this, can someone explain how I should rest the butt?  Should I pull it out at 205 and rest or pull it when the bone wiggles and let it climb to 205 to pull it?

I think I understand to wrap it in foil and towels and put into my cooler (is that just my ice chest?).  Should the towels be wet or dry?

Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you

 

[mdboatbum]

Dry towels, empty cooler, leave whole. Let it rest at least an hour then pull.

 

[register1]

ok, thank you!! Should I leave it in the smoker to 205?  It is smoking pretty fast due to the insane temps out here! 95 today.

 

[mdboatbum]

Yeah I'd take it all the way to "done". It will carry over some but that's not really the issue. You want the bone to wiggle and a probe to go in easily. Might be 205, might be 195.

 

[register1]

image.jpg

• register1
• Jul 4, 2015

 

[register1]

image.jpg

• register1
• Jul 4, 2015

First butt ever. Smoked for 10 hrs to 205, wrapped, rested 1 hour then pulled. Thanks for the help and this awesome forum!

 

[mdboatbum]

Looks like you nailed it!! Great job on the first of many I'm sure.