Hey all. I am new to the forums and apologize if this is a rehashed question. I was unable to identify another thread discussing this.
Even though I have used a Smoky Joe grill and smaller things like that in the past, I have only been using an actual smoker for a little over a year. As I am the only one in the house that loves smoke flavor, I don't even get to use it all that often. All of that being said, the last two times I have smoked a port butt (my absolute favorite!) I have used Jeff's cherry Dr. Pepper injection and it has been awesome! Because of the nature of life being what it is, I generally rock the first half of the cooking in the smoke box and then I take it out and wrap it in foil and finish the last half in the oven while catching some sleep at night. When I wake up the temp is always right (maybe a bit higher than ideal) and the meat is delicious but it seems as though most of the Dr. Pepper has seeped out during the back half of the cooking process. Is this because I am letting it cook a little bit too long on the back half? Is there something else that I am not doing that I should? The meat tastes incredible and is generally pretty moist but I can't help but wonder if the meat would be even that much better if so much of the injection liquid didn't come back out. Maybe I am mistaken and this is supposed to happen.
I probably should have also mentioned that I inject 24 hours in advance. I inject first and, after a few hours, I apply the rub and then I let it set in the fridge for a full day. I also take it out and let it set on the counter for an hour or two before starting the smoking/cooking process. If anyone can help out a relatively new smoker, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks y'all!
Even though I have used a Smoky Joe grill and smaller things like that in the past, I have only been using an actual smoker for a little over a year. As I am the only one in the house that loves smoke flavor, I don't even get to use it all that often. All of that being said, the last two times I have smoked a port butt (my absolute favorite!) I have used Jeff's cherry Dr. Pepper injection and it has been awesome! Because of the nature of life being what it is, I generally rock the first half of the cooking in the smoke box and then I take it out and wrap it in foil and finish the last half in the oven while catching some sleep at night. When I wake up the temp is always right (maybe a bit higher than ideal) and the meat is delicious but it seems as though most of the Dr. Pepper has seeped out during the back half of the cooking process. Is this because I am letting it cook a little bit too long on the back half? Is there something else that I am not doing that I should? The meat tastes incredible and is generally pretty moist but I can't help but wonder if the meat would be even that much better if so much of the injection liquid didn't come back out. Maybe I am mistaken and this is supposed to happen.
I probably should have also mentioned that I inject 24 hours in advance. I inject first and, after a few hours, I apply the rub and then I let it set in the fridge for a full day. I also take it out and let it set on the counter for an hour or two before starting the smoking/cooking process. If anyone can help out a relatively new smoker, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks y'all!
