Injecting a Boston Butt

[bradc86]

I need opinions on injecting a Boston Butt. Not WHAT to use, but rather or not I should. My mind was made up that I was going to, and then I discovered this '4 hours to 135 IT' deal. Is it better to just not inject it? Is injecting it worth the risk? Is it really a big deal? I use an offset charcoal smoker so I don't have as much control as others on getting the temp up quickly without going too quickly. Also, could I just inject it after 4 or 5 hours when I insert my temp probe? That sounds like the best option but I'm not sure if that would be too late to help anything. Thanks.

 

[hillbillyrkstr]

I've injected and not injected on my offset and honestly I don't think it's needed. I never noticed a difference.

 

[geerock]

Butts have all kinds of moisture in them so don't do it for that reason. I'm like hillbilly, I don't inject butts.

 

[brooksy]

Never injected a butt don't think there's a need to. You will more likely than not get up to temp in time if you choose to inject. Is this your first butt?

 

[Bearcarver]

If you know your smoker good enough to know you'll get through the danger zone in 4 hours, you can inject, but like was already mentioned a Butt is plenty moist without injecting. I never inject, so I can play around with my low & slow temps, and not have to worry if it gets there in 4 hours or not. Then I put my meat probe in sometime after the first 3 hours.

Here's a Butt that was in the Danger zone longer than 4 hours, but it didn't matter because I didn't inject it & didn't put my temp probe in until 3 hours in.

Link

Pulled Boston Pork Butt         

Bear

 

[bradc86]

Not my first, but would be the first one I've injected. Apparently I unknowingly did the right thing on the others by not checking the temp til I knew they were close. I know they'll stay moist as my others have, was just curious if it would be worth additional flavors.

 

[brooksy]

Wish I could give you input on that :-( Try it and let us know if it made a difference to you or not. Not everyone's palate's are they same just cause someone else can't tell a difference doesn't mean you won't.

 

[rtbbq2]

I've injected and did without injecting. I like both. Try one butt each way and make up your own mind based on taste. I inject with apple juice mixed with rum or Moore's marinade is also good. You can taste the Moore's marinade more than the apple juice. The apple juice give the meat a bit of an apple sweet flavor. Not overpowering at all....

...RTB

 

[chef willie]

I have injected but for amusement only...like pina colada pig butt. Good, but not spectacular enough to do all the time. Many do, many don't here.....as the saying goes 'ask a question & you'll get multiple different answers here'. Like the man said...try it & see. I do wait to push probe in but I also cheat (I'm sure) on the 4-140 rule...not on purpose but, things happen......HTH, Willie