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Keep the smoker temperature around 250-275 F degrees while smoking during these first several hours. Smoke for approximately 4 hours, spritzing with the spray bottle every hour. Check the internal temperature of the pork shoulder using a meat thermometer. By this time, the pork should be at LEAST 145 F degrees.
What is the best temp to smoke pulled pork?
Get your favorite smoker running steady at 225 degrees F. My favorite woods for making smoked pulled pork is either hickory or apple (or a combination of the two). Both are mild enough to complement the pork without overwhelming you with smoke. Slather in mustard.
How long does it take to smoke pork shoulder at 225?
At 225, figure roughly 2 hours per pound of meat, so the same piece of smoked pork shoulder takes from 12- 16 hours at 225. There are a lot of factors in how long it takes, including the humidity in the air, how consistent the grill holds temperature, the outside temperature, and more.
What temp should you smoke a Boston butt?
I smoke Boston butts to a temperature of at least 190 degrees. If you like sliced BBQ , 185 degrees is fine but for pulled or chopped I want the final temp. to be at least 190. Once the internal temperatures reaches 190 I take the butt out of the smoker and immediately wrap it tightly with aluminum foil.
How long does it take to smoke a 10 lb pork shoulder at 225?
You are going to need between 10-12 hours to smoke a 10 pound pork butt at 225F. You will want to cook the butt in the smoke for about 5 hours, wrap it in foil and then cook for another 6 hours. Set aside the time, follow this technique and you will have some Extraordinary pulled pork!.
Is 190 OK for pulled pork?
Pulling the Pork Once the meat reaches an internal temperature of 180 F to 190 F, it is ready to be pulled. You can serve the meat once it reaches 165 F, but it won’t be tender enough to pull apart properly.
Can you overcook pulled pork?
By the way, just as it’s possible to overcook beef in a beef stew, it’s quite possible to overcook pulled pork. You want your pork to be pull-apart tender—an indication that the connective tissue has broken down—but not so cooked that the muscle fibers themselves start to lose structure and turn to mush.
Should I wrap my pork butt?
Wrapping in Foil Meat will generally be juicier and more tender. However, do not overcook. Meats like brisket and pork shoulder are best when taken to an internal temp of 203 degrees. Its impermeability stops the absorption of smoke once the meat is wrapped.
How long will a 10 lb pork shoulder take to smoke?
When slow-smoking a pork shoulder, you should figure 1 1/2 hours per pound of pork. A 10-pound, bone-in pork shoulder takes a long time to cook, but for the majority of that time it is in the smoker. You can get it started right after breakfast and have it ready in time for dinner.
What temp does fat render on pork shoulder?
Meats with a lot of connective tissue such as beef and pork ribs, pork shoulder, and beef brisket, are too tough at these lower temps. They need to go up to 200 to 205°F in order to gelatinize collagens and melt fats.
What temperature is the stall on pork shoulder?
The stall occurs when the pork butt has reached an internal temperature between 150 and 170 degrees Fahrenheit. At this point, the meat will appear to stop cooking for several hours. You have two options: Either wait it out, or enlist in a shortcut to hasten the process.
How long should a pork butt rest?
A 2-4 Hour Rest Makes Briskets & Pork Butts Better Because they contain connective tissue that is converted to gelatin after many hours of “low & slow” cooking, and it’s this gelatin that rehydrates the meat during the resting period.
Should I wrap pork shoulder in foil when smoking?
Wrap in foil: At the 5-hour mark the internal temp should be in the 160 range. Wrap in aluminum foil to keep the meat from getting too much smoke and to catch the moisture being released during the cooking process.
Why is 205 pulled pork?
Pork butt needs to be cooked to 195 degrees Fahrenheit before it’s tender enough to shred. If it’s allowed to cook to 200-205 degrees, the meat will be even softer, which makes it that much easier to pull apart.
Why is pulled pork cooked to 200?
This is one of the reasons why it’s so important to refrigerate leftovers within 1 to 2 hours after cooking. At 200 degrees, the pork shoulder should stay out of the danger zone for long enough to avoid trouble. That said, it’s important to keep an eye on the smoker temperature.
Why won’t my pulled pork pull apart?
When pulled pork isn’t shredding, it could be because the meat didn’t cook long enough. Cooking it too long, or attempting to rush the process by cranking up the heat, are two other common culprits. It’s also important to use a reliable method for shredding the meat.
Why is my smoked pork tough?
The first reason why your smoked pork shoulder may feel tough is the lack of marinade. Marinating not only infuses your pork shoulder with flavor, but also makes the meat more tender, as it absorbs the liquids and ingredients from the marinade.
