I have been told 190-200ish is best but always came out a bit soggy. Tried 181 and it was perfect. Why is it so different for me? I cook at 225 no wrap. Sometimes up the temp to 250. Using ThermoWorks RFX and Traeger Silverton 620.

by Kowa-89

24 Comments

  1. eezyE4free

    Did you buy the pork from a different supplier or was Amit a different brand?

  2. Brilliant_Ad_2192

    It works for you. Congrats and enjoy.

  3. whatsupchiefs

    Meat does what the fuck it wants to do……you just got to roll with it..

  4. oxfordfreestyl

    Your temp probe probably needs calibrated. Otherwise, not clue lol.

  5. h8mac4life

    Ya know I have seen several people on here always say cook till probe tender not temp, could be this case, even though they never seem to get the popular vote they have a point.

  6. If it works for you then that’s all that matters

  7. oswaldcopperpot

    You didnt put a time. I suspect it took way longer.
    You can do the same hotter and simply reduce the liquid. Personally i do a four hour smoke and then inside in a dutch oven for another 3 to pulled pork tender and reduce the liquid in a skillet to re-add later. I may or may not use a fat separator for some.

  8. muscle_thumbs

    It’s all preference. I do mines at 200 for 12 hours and bump it to 250 until it reaches 202 internal. I like mines really soft and moist. Cook it how you want to eat it.

  9. dar24601

    Honestly I’ve stopped cooking my butts to temp and go by tenderness. I’ve had butts be ready at 190 some have had go to 205+

  10. Crispyskips728

    You lost me at when you started to mentions ANY temps. Pork butt is done at probe tender. Thats it PROBE TENDER.

    Who ever told you about temps and pork butt have zero idea how to BBQ and I would give them a huge THE ROCK eyebrow. those meat probes are there to help guide you along. Set alarms for 195 and then start probbing. If there is resistance on the probe there will be resistance on the pull. Butter means BUTTER

  11. flossdaily

    The conversion of collagen to gelatin is a function of temperature and time.

    The higher the temperature, the more rapid is the conversion.

    But held at lower temperature for longer will result in the same conversion.

    We aim for 205⁰F because generally speaking, by the time we hit that mark, the amount of collagen conversion already completed is very near ideal.

    But there’s nothing particularly magical about that number.

  12. The_Chiliboss

    Because god created pork on the 181st day.

  13. markbroncco

    Some folks like it super tender and shreddable, but I find around 180-185 is perfect for slicing and keeping a bit more structure. Once you push into the 190s, especially if you rest it a long time, it turns into mush pretty fast. Depends how you like it!

  14. shelovestherob

    Sometimes that happens. I did two this summer for a cookout and both were done at 189, probe smooth. Turned out fantastic and everyone loved it.

  15. OddCockpitSpacer

    In my experience the finish temp varies with meat quality. If it’s done at 181, then it’s done. That’s why temp is just estimate and you go for probe feel.

  16. Clit_Destroyer_69

    I grew up in pulled pork central, North Carolina. I would eat the shit outta that. Looks great!

  17. GeoHog713

    Bbq is done when it’s done
    Not at a specific temp.

  18. This is why final temps never matter for brisket, butts, and ribs. Probe tender for brisket and butts, bend test for ribs. Gotta stop going off temps, guys.

  19. impulse_post

    People get too hung up on the final temperature. It’s really about the journey it took to get to the end!

  20. Buzzedwinaldrin

    Lot of variables. As others have mentioned. Meat quality,
    fat content, elevation, wind, outside temp, inside temp, humidity in and out, . Air flow in your particular smoker what temp did you start at etc etc …

    First butt i ever made. Wasn’t even close to being done. I had no idea what i was doing. The fat content was insane and gross. …

    I’ve learned as you will. Trial and error……. In your location, with your grill. In the meantime, Check then Check again then check again.. May take longer because you keep opening the grill…. But there’s
    Really no need to even use a thermometer unless you know what temp the magic happenszzz You’re way ‘over’ cooking it, to get rid of the fat. So unless you know what temp that happens at in your location. Just go by feel. Check check touch check cut a tiny piece off …

    As with smoking anything… and this is just me. More professional may disagree… i always try to have it done 2-3 hours before … to let it rest, but also to give me time to crank up the heat for a bit if I end up way under where i want to be