Pork Loin only 1/2 Done? Temp 130-160?

  • Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

SquattingHen

Fire Starter
Original poster
Jun 28, 2018
31
7
North Texas
So I tried a pork loin for dinner and used the thermoworks smoke to monitor the smoker and internal temp of the loin. Smoked it at around 250-270 and it finally hit 240 according the the probe after 2 hours and 40 minutes. A bit longer than I thought. Pulled it off, and started checking temps with the mk4. Ranges were all over from 130 - 160. Decifyto cut it and it appears to be only done on one side, the side facing the heat source?

Not sure what I did wrong here.
 
What kind of smoker are you using? If it heats unevenly you will have to rotate your meat if you want it to cook properly
 
First thing I would suggest is not to put the loin on before your smoker is up to temp.(if that's what you did). That would help explain the one sided doneness. At 250* the loin should go about 45 min/pound.

Chris
 
Thanks everyone. It was a 4.5 lb loin, so I guess it should have been 3.5 hours. It's also 30 degrees outside so maybe that would come into play as well. Not sure what I read that said it would take 2 hours.

I did give the smoker 30 minutes to preheat, so I think we were okay there.

I am using a Smoke Hollow 36" propane smoker.

Really thinking about trying something different because I just haven't had much luck with this one. I am sure it's me. Feel like I should get electric since I am having a hard time with this one.

First smoke didn't go well with it because I discovered the supplies thermostat was about 100 degrees off, which I why I bought the Smoke.
 
I debated propane but went charcoal due to the reviews saying inconsistencies with propane
 
I would bounce around the forums and see if any one has done home made heat-deflectors with your model, that could help.

Does sound like the problem is uneven heating. I also suggest running multiple probes; I do when I can. <Still gotta try to fix my downed probe. Make sure your probes all work accordingly>.
 
Really thinking about trying something different because I just haven't had much luck with this one. I am sure it's me. Feel like I should get electric since I am having a hard time with this one.

Was in a similar quandary. Debated some gasser mods: needle valve, and screws in the burner, welding blanket. Mine ran either too hot or too cold. Had decent results, but was constantly fiddling. Even on a good day I never really got TBS. On a whim, Cabela's ran MES for $99 on Black Friday and I pulled the trigger. Life has never been the same. LOVE IT. MES + AMNPS is set and forget.
 
Was in a similar quandary. Debated some gasser mods: needle valve, and screws in the burner, welding blanket. Mine ran either too hot or too cold. Had decent results, but was constantly fiddling. Even on a good day I never really got TBS. On a whim, Cabela's ran MES for $99 on Black Friday and I pulled the trigger. Life has never been the same. LOVE IT. MES + AMNPS is set and forget.

Think I might try that. Just concerned about the room inside.
 
So I tried a pork loin for dinner and used the thermoworks smoke to monitor the smoker and internal temp of the loin. Smoked it at around 250-270 and it finally hit 240 according the the probe after 2 hours and 40 minutes. A bit longer than I thought. Pulled it off, and started checking temps with the mk4. Ranges were all over from 130 - 160. Decifyto cut it and it appears to be only done on one side, the side facing the heat source?

Not sure what I did wrong here.

Hi there and welcome!
It seems like more tinkering to figure out your system may be in order.
In any case your smoker may have saved you. A pork loin going to 240F Internal Temp (IT) probably wouldn't be a good meal.
Farm raised Pork loin at 145F, now that is the ticket!!!!

If you cook pork loin from a wild/feral hog (or any meat from that hog) then be sure to hit 165F to ensure you killed off any microscopic parasites that may exist in the meat :)

Next time I smoke some pork loin chops I'll take a pic for posting purposes :)
 
Hi there and welcome!
It seems like more tinkering to figure out your system may be in order.
In any case your smoker may have saved you. A pork loin going to 240F Internal Temp (IT) probably wouldn't be a good meal.
Farm raised Pork loin at 145F, now that is the ticket!!!!

If you cook pork loin from a wild/feral hog (or any meat from that hog) then be sure to hit 165F to ensure you killed off any microscopic parasites that may exist in the meat :)

Next time I smoke some pork loin chops I'll take a pic for posting purposes :)

Thanks. My bad. Typo on the phone. I meant 140 instead of 240.
 
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.
Clicky