Smoke For A Later Time

[cajun_1]

Ok ... If I wanted to pre-smoke some pork butt for a gathering latter this week, I would smoke it, let it rest. At what temp would a person want to have the smoked meat prior to the fridge/freezer ? Seems a high heat would not be good to put in the fridge right away.

 

[fatback joe]

When I have to do some ahead of time, I cook it just like if I was using it that day, but pull it before your refrigerate rather than keeping it whole. You can get the temp down quicker on a pulled butt than a whole one and it seems to reheat well........and you can reheat it quicker than a cold butt.

You are right that the high heat is not good to put in the fridge. Refridgerators are great for keeping cold stuff cold, but leave much to be desired on cooling down the hotstuff. Putting a large hot mass in there jeopardizes everthing in the fridge since you will most likely bring the temp in your fridge to over 40 degrees.

The easiest/safest way (well maybe not the easiest or safest, but the way i do it

) that I know of (whole or pulled) to cool it off is putting it in an ice filled cooler. Let the ice do its thing will no risk to other foods. Keep a temp probe in there so you know when you are good to go.

Good luck

 

[cajun_1]

Thanks, You have answered my question. Never thought about ice in the cooler. Great tip to remember.

 

[fatback joe]

Glad I could help.