Toggle sidebar

Mayday! Mayday! What to do about the skin?

  • 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.
Remove the Ads for LIFE - 50% Off!
SMF is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
rabbithutch

rabbithutch

Master of the Pit
Original poster
OTBS Member
Oct 15, 2011
1,600
48
Up in Thin Blue Smoke in Temple, TX, USA
OK! Tonight is the time to rub the ribs and boston butts. I discovered that I bought a shoulder and a ham. That's OK but one of them has a 9" square piece of hide attached.

Should I remove it or leave it on?

The meat is sitting on the kitchen counter and I need your advice urgently. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm taking pics and will try to put together a detailed post from package to table but that has to wait.
 
Last edited:
 Is it hide or just a nice fat cap? A nice fat cap smoked fat side up can send wonderful flavor down into your butt during that loooooooong smoke. If it's hide I'd get rid of it before smoking.
 
If you are pulling the pork, leave it on. It will remain intact and easy to separate even after the meat cooks to temp. It is easier to deal with that way. Sounds like you might actually have a whole shoulder and not a ham.
 
Last edited:
If it's skin I'd take it off regardless.  By smoking with it on you may make it easier to remove but it;s that much less area that will have rub on it or get good smoke permeation. Just my 2 cents.
 
solaryellow said:
If you are pulling the pork, leave it on. It will remain intact and easy to separate even after the meat cooks to temp. It is easier to deal with that way. Sounds like you might actually have a whole shoulder and not a ham.
Click to expand...

Actually I have a ham AND a shoulder. You are correct that it is the shoulder that has the pigskin on it.

Do I need to score the skin?
 
rabbithutch said:
solaryellow said:
If you are pulling the pork, leave it on. It will remain intact and easy to separate even after the meat cooks to temp. It is easier to deal with that way. Sounds like you might actually have a whole shoulder and not a ham.
Click to expand...
Actually I have a ham AND a shoulder. You are correct that it is the shoulder that has the pigskin on it.

Do I need to score the skin?
Click to expand...


No. Leave it as is and you will be fine.
 
It is a toss up! The skin will take smoke and it is tasty to flavor Beans or Soup another time...Or...Remove it so get more bark on the meat...Both ways is good, you can score it if you wish and have the best of both...JJ
 
Thanks for coming to my rescue, guys!

Since I'm gonna chop the cooked pig and use NC style vinegar sauce on it, I don't think it will matter that the one side will not get rub directly on it.

Thanks again! Gotta get back to the meat.

rh
 
icon_cool.gif


I would cut it off and make a small football.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Similar threads

hog warden
Getting to the bottom of what happens to cure in smoked sausage
Replies
31
Views
1K
Food Safety
geostriata
G
chilerelleno
Damn.... Do Y'all Think They're Safe?
Replies
25
Views
1K
General Discussion
DougE
DougE
Rafter H BBQ
Just Curious On What All States Do?!
Replies
38
Views
1K
Wild Game
K9BIGDOG
K9BIGDOG
D
New to smoking
Replies
8
Views
692
Electric Smokers
JLinza
JLinza
DRKsmoking
All Smoked , Picnic Shoulder, Mac and Cheese, cast iron cornbread, MC honey Bacon BBQ Rub ( not for PP )
Replies
27
Views
951
Pork
DRKsmoking
DRKsmoking
KBFlyer
What Dogs Can DO
Replies
2
Views
714
Blowing Smoke Around the Smoker.
JLeonard
JLeonard
Timber II
Wiring assistance
Replies
28
Views
2K
Blowing Smoke Around the Smoker.
Timber II
Timber II
gmc2003
Extra, Extra, Read all about it. Winners announced for the Soups, Stews and Chili Throw-down.
Replies
72
Views
4K
SMF Throwdowns
JLeonard
JLeonard

Latest posts

Hot Threads

Top Bottom
Back
Clicky