Pork butt time?

[bmxer13]

Hey guys this weekend I plan on smoking a 3lb pork butt. Its my first butt so what kind of times should I be expecting to see? The weather is also supposed to be around 40 degrees if that makes a big difference.

 

[shaggy91954]

That's kind of a small butt so times will vary.  But don't smoke it by time, smoke it by temp.  And if you read up on pork butt in this forum you will find that temps depend upon what you want to do with this butt. (slice or pull)??  The outdoor temperatures and how it will affect the smoke depend upon the smoker type and where it is located.  Good luck with your smoke and post pics when it's done. 

 

[crazymoon]

B13, it takes 1.5- 2 hours for a bigger butt, nor sure about a 3# one. Type pulled pork in the search bar above for temps, times and other ideas. I hope you have a way to check your internal temp  on the meat, good luck and enjoy your smoke !

 

[bmxer13]

I plan to pull it. I ready that 200-205 was the magic number but also read it will stall so I just wanted to make sure its done in time for dinner thats all. Im in nebraska and have a smoke hollow electric smoker with a mailbox mod if that helps

 

[gary s]

If you are going to pull it 205, just keep an eye on it I wouldn't worry too much about time

 

[bmaddox]

I plan to pull it. I ready that 200-205 was the magic number but also read it will stall so I just wanted to make sure its done in time for dinner thats all. Im in nebraska and have a smoke hollow electric smoker with a mailbox mod if that helps

You can search around on some of the pulled pork threads and get plenty of ideas on how to finish cooking it early and keep it warm until dinner. The preferred method around here seems to be placing it in a cooler wrapped in towels to keep it warm (which I have done with great success). On a 3lb butt I would figure 6 hours of cook time to be on the safe side then 1 hour of resting time. That way you have some time to spare. If it seems like it is stalling for too long around 160 you can wrap it in foil to help it along.

 

[superdave]

There are so many variables.  What box temp are you smoking at?  Are you foiling to finish or just smoking exposed to final IT?  I've read posts where a small butt took just as long as a big one. 

 

[heyer5]

Somewhere between 30 minutes and 3 hours per pound of raw weight :)

Oh, that isn't helpful??  /sarcasm.

As others have said, you can't really cook a butt on a clock, it's done when it's done, and it can vary greatly between different butts that you smoke.  The best bet, plan for 1.5-2 hours per pound, and if it's done early, awesome.  Wrap it in foil, place it in a cooler, and wrap it with towels and you'll have hot and ready pork whenever your stomach starts growling!

 

[gary s]

Good Advice Above

Gary

 

[ajsmokes]

I also live in Nebraska. I smoke the small ones like that at 225 for 5 hours then I'll check temp. Should be around 175 by then. Then I put mine in a crock pot on high and separate the fat from the juice that I catch while in the smoker. Then add the juice back and let it sit in the crock pot for roughly 4 hours pull and eat. I've had very good luck doing that.