How long should I smoke boston butts?

by John H
(Tampa FL)

How long should I smoke boston butts?

I have 4 boston butts in my smoker set at 225 how long should they cook. Each weighs 8.5 lbs total weight 34lbs?

Answer:-

Assuming that you're able to control the temperature pretty consistently at 225°F then you need to work on 90 minutes per pound. So based on the wight you have this works out at about 12 hours and 45 minutes.

Don't get confused by the fact you have a total weight of 34 pounds, it's the ratio between surface area and volume that determines the heat penetration and this ratio is specific to each butt and not the total.

The best way to understand whether your Boston butts are done is to use a bbq thermometer to check on the internal temperature of the meat. It's ready to pull when you reach 190°F or 87.7°C.

Over the first few hours the internal meat temperature will rise steadily until it reaches about 160-170°F (71.1-76.7°C) and then it will plateau. Don't get worried or disheartened at this point, just let it continue to cook.

It's only in the latter stages of the cookout after prolonged heat treatment when the connective tissues really start to break down that the pork butt temperature will start to climb again and hit the target 190°F or 87.7°C.

So be patient, and your patience will be rewarded.

How long should I smoke boston butts?

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