Newbie little confused

[Mcleod3426620]

Never trust the “Steam Guage” thermometer that comes with the MES smoker. Mine were totally unreliable. The only reliable gauge thermometer I’ve used is $$ and made by Tru-Tel. That said, you can completely trust your Ink Bird. Forget the MES thermometer exists. It’s just decoration.

I agree with @pineywoods in that opening and closing your door every hour dumped your heat and made your “stall” unbearably long. I also agree that you do not need to use a mop/baste on a pork butt, especially just starting out. It already has a ton of fat in it and you will probably not dry it out. If you’re worried about that, try an injection.

But my biggest piece of advice to you is I would recommend you check out Bear’s “Step-by-Step” index. He uses an MES and he has 3 great pork butt tutorials at three different temps, with pictures. We all start out using Bear’s index and we all get great results. You can find the page here:

Bear's "Step by Step" Index

Bear's "Step by Step" Index I made this index, because a lot of guys use my "Step by Steps", and I couldn't get them all in my Signature. Then I'd have to find the one I had that best suited what they were wanting to do. At times it has taken me forever to find one of my Step by Steps that...

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Like @pineywoods says, never be afraid to ask and or admit failures here. No one will laugh. It’s how we all learn. We’re rooting for you and hope you keep at it.

Sven it was a digital probe on my MES im sure it doesn't matter. Hearing lots of peole say there not accurate either. Thanks