I may have ruined my first pulled pork boston butt

[reddd]

So I was doing my first Boston butt pulled pork today.  Here's what happened. This was a 2.6 lbs butt.

Preheated the smoker to 225

I stuck the roast in at 5:30

Both smoker t-stats read 220 and 230

Internal temp rose to 145 around 6:45

Both smoker t-stats read 220 and 230

Internal temp rose to 156 around 7:45

Both smoker t-stats read 220 and 230

Internal temp DROPPED slowly to 152 by 8:45

Both smoker t-stats read 220 and 230

I freaked out and opened door, moved meat thermometer(had two separate ones) to different places in meat.  

IT was now reading 148.

Smoker T-stats read 190 and 200

Freaked out again.

Foiled the butt with apple juice and a small amount of butter.

Put back in smoker and set temp to 250 at 9:25 PM

IT of butt rose very rapidly to 199 

Took out of smoker when IT temp read 200 at 10:30

It is now in the resting stage with towels and cooler.  I hope it's ok and will be edible. I have a good hour before I take it out of cooler and pull it.  Wish me luck.  Wish I had a camera to show you guys some Qview as you call it!  I just hope this thing is edible. 

Red

 

[TulsaJeff]

Sounds like it should be fine.. you experienced the amazing plateau.. during this time some of the moisture in the meat starts to vaporize on the surface and can actually cause the temperature of the meat to drop a few degrees and hold that way for several hours before climbing again.

I'd say it will be just fine especially after a good holding time in the cooler.

 

[roller]

It is not uncommon for them to hit a certain temp then drop back some. You just have to wait it out and do not panic. It will go thru a stall. I have never seen a BB that weighted only 2lbs. Next time get one that weights around 8 to 12 lbs then you will have you some PP...Good luck I hope it comes out for you...

 

[reddd]

It is not uncommon for them to hit a certain temp then drop back some. You just have to wait it out and do not panic. It will go thru a stall. I have never seen a BB that weighted only 2lbs. Next time get one that weights around 8 to 12 lbs then you will have you some PP...Good luck I hope it comes out for you...

I picked it up from the local supermarket.  

I read about the "plateau" but I never thought it would drop 4-5 degrees IT. 

You're right.  Next time I'm going with a 8+ lbs butt and doing it right! Thanks

 

[reddd]

Sounds like it should be fine.. you experienced the amazing plateau.. during this time some of the moisture in the meat starts to vaporize on the surface and can actually cause the temperature of the meat to drop a few degrees and hold that way for several hours before climbing again.

I'd say it will be just fine especially after a good holding time in the cooler.

I read about what you are saying but didn't think my little BB(2.6 lbs) would take that long to get out of the plateau range.  

I love this... I learn so much from every smoke I do.  Hopefully I'll be able to remember all of my mistakes and avoid them in the future!

 

[roller]

Just remember dont panic and ride out the stall....all is good !  Get some extra beer...lol

 

[sprky]

2.6# butt is that a typo? I have never seen one that small.  I think what you had was the lovely stall that butts get, ya just gotta wait them out.  

 

[reddd]

2.6# butt is that a typo? I have never seen one that small.  I think what you had was the lovely stall that butts get, ya just gotta wait them out.  

nope.  not a typo!  I get the stall part of it but should it really drop 5 degrees?!

 

[scarbelly]

Lets see the qview - we all warned you about the stall  - congrats 

 

[reddd]

Holy crap.  Just pulled the roast.  It was delicious!  Was a little tougher than I thought it'd be but wow!  Great flavor!

 

[bmudd14474]

Sounds great. It was prob tough because you panic'd and and raised the temp and foiled. Next time ride the stall out and you will love the difference.

 

[SmokinAl]

Glad it turned out good for you, next time remember to take some photo's.

We all would like to see your work!

 

[venture]

Relax!  Nothing new?  We have all been through it!

Stick with it, you will be fine, and your confidence will grow with time.

Good luck and good smoking.

 

[s2k9k]

Been there, the stall has freaked me out too, I think it's more impatience than freaking out though. Reading this forum has really helped me and my patience.

 

[smokinhusker]

The stall is a killer on a newbie!