To Wrap OR not to Wrap

[Twinrebs]

I just bought a Traeger Pellet Smoker from a friend. Still in very good shape. I'm a novice when it comes to this stuff so here goes my question. Regarding a Boston Butt: one friend says to put it in the smoker unwrapped for 3-4 hours at 225 then take it out and wrap until temp gets to 195 F. Another friend says to put it in the smoker at 225 unwrapped and let it cook longer (12 hours or so) without wrapping and take it out at 195 F then let rest for 4 hours.

Settle this argument for me. Thanks!

 

[smokerjim]

to wrap or not is a personal preference, I personally don't wrap, all butts are different some will cook quicker then others. so get some probes some cold beer and sit back and enjoy the smoke.

 

[smokerjim]

I should of added i'm not sure you'll settle your argument, not sure if there is a right or wrong way.

 

[SmokinVOLfan]

Jim said it right. Not a right or wrong way. Grab two butts and try one each way and see which one you like better. I personally like to wrap mine about 160 degrees and take to 203 and then pull it out and let it rest in a cooler with old towels for a minimum of two hours before I pull it. Drink a few cold ones and enjoy the process!

 

[sandyut]

there are people in both camps here...wrappers and non wrappers.

I stopped wrapping anything.

 

[normanaj]

I personally don't wrap.Finish temp can vary...195 is not the be all temp,I've had butts go as high as 208 before done.195 is a temp to start testing for doneness.

 

[Twinrebs]

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[chilerelleno]

There is no one answer to whether to wrap or not.
Just like whether to wrap using foil or paper, it's a personal preference, and it's one that can vary the meat and/or temp/method, desired results and more.

I can think of another half-dozen to a dozen highly debatable questions regarding whether to or not to with BBQ.

Personally, sometimes I do, most times I don't.

 

[SmokinEdge]

My problem with Traeger style grills was that even at 225* the bottom of the butt or brisket would turn into shoe leather if left in over 8 hrs or more. If it has the upper grate use that. If on the grill surface I would wrap at about 4-5 hrs in. That will stop the bottom of the meat growing a shoe sole.

 

[JCAP]

I never wrap butts but I don’t think there’s a right or wrong answer to the question. Try both!

 

[noboundaries]

I like hassle free smokes, so I don't wrap 98% of the time. When I do wrap, I use butcher paper.

The VAST majority of my pork butts are probe tender north of 200F.

 

[chopsaw]

I don't wrap butts . Smoker temp 250 . Internal temp 205 .
so ,,,, fat cap up or down ?

 

[SmokinVOLfan]

so ,,,, fat cap up or down ?

I have always done mine fat cap down. Got a buddy that swears by fat cap up in a pan the whole smoke so it just cooks and soaks in its own fat and juices. How about you?

 

[chopsaw]

I have always done mine fat cap down. Got a buddy that swears by fat cap up in a pan the whole smoke so it just cooks and soaks in its own fat and juices. How about you?

That was just another either way works / matter of opinion question . Up .

 

[SmokinAl]

I have always done mine fat cap down. Got a buddy that swears by fat cap up in a pan the whole smoke so it just cooks and soaks in its own fat and juices. How about you?

I have done butts in pans before & still do when letting them go overnight. However I put them in the pan fat side down, so the exposed meat will take on the smoke & build a nice bark. I don't wrap but I do baste the butt with the pan juices. Mine are usually done around 203-205.
Al

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

Wrapping boils down to personal preference and whether or not you want a little help pushing through the stall.
Since all of my pork butt smokes are overnighters, I don't wrap, mop, or spritz either.

 

[zwiller]

I have seen it mentioned more than a few times that pellet grills have that issue and would imagine there has to be a tuning plate or deflector available. Yes, googled and there is:
Back when I first started hanging here I'd see these posts of butts that looked black like a meteor and always thought it looked nasty. However, I kept seeing posts that talked about how good the bark was and so I ended up dead set trying to replicate it. Took me a few tries (search pellicle) but finally pulled it off, and it forever changed me. IMO the bark is the best part of PP. So much that I half butts to get more of it. Firmly in the no wrap camp... I am also team captain in 275F.

 

[sandyut]

IMO the bark is the best part of PP. So much that I half butts to get more of it. Firmly in the no wrap camp... I am also team captain in 275F.

AMEN!

 

[Twinrebs]

I don't wrap butts . Smoker temp 250 . Internal temp 205 .
so ,,,, fat cap up or down ?

Down