Let's Talk BBQ

Outdoor Cooking Equipment => Grills & Smokers => Pellet Grills and Smokers => Topic started by: smoker pete on February 13, 2013, 01:22:54 PM

Title: 1st Pork Butt on Traeger PTG Tailgate unit
Post by: smoker pete on February 13, 2013, 01:22:54 PM
Smoking/Cooking my 1st Pork Butt on my SYL-2372 PID modified Traeger PTG.  Running in the manual mode.  It's a little 6 lb bone-in Butt but as you can see it takes up most of the available space.  After 2 hours of 27-30% the IT is at 93º.  Updates to follow ...

(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Pork/PTGPorkButt02132013/PorkButt3_zpsc7fbacef.jpg)

(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Pork/PTGPorkButt02132013/th_PorkButt1_zps40dfdb4e.jpg) (http://s854.beta.photobucket.com/user/papa_peter/media/Pork/PTGPorkButt02132013/PorkButt1_zps40dfdb4e.jpg.html)  (http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Pork/PTGPorkButt02132013/th_PorkButt2_zps2c30edcb.jpg) (http://s854.beta.photobucket.com/user/papa_peter/media/Pork/PTGPorkButt02132013/PorkButt2_zps2c30edcb.jpg.html)  (http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Pork/PTGPorkButt02132013/th_PorkButt4_zpsdd070ffd.jpg) (http://s854.beta.photobucket.com/user/papa_peter/media/Pork/PTGPorkButt02132013/PorkButt4_zpsdd070ffd.jpg.html)

Monitoring cook with my iGrill/iPad from the office  :)

(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Pork/PTGPorkButt02132013/PorkButt5_zpsc4eb6e00.jpg)
Title: 1st Pork Butt on Traeger PTG Tailgate unit
Post by: Pappymn on February 13, 2013, 01:29:36 PM
No teasing now. Having too much unicorn meat lately ;)
Title: Re: 1st Pork Butt on Traeger PTG Tailgate unit
Post by: smoker pete on February 13, 2013, 02:19:00 PM
After 2½ hours.  IT=116º.  Bumped Output Value to 32% in order to get pit temp in the 325-350º range.  When IT=150ºF I will double wrap it foil and back into the PTG till the IT reaches 200-205ºF.  Then FTC for 3-4 hours before pulling it  :)  The foil will help get through the stall ...

(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Pork/PTGPorkButt02132013/PorkButt6_zpsfb767b7f.jpg)

The pellet hopper holds 5 lbs.  After 2½ hours about half the pellets are gone.  The temp has been averaging in the 230-250º range.  Filled the hopper with Pacific Pellet Gourmet Hickory pellets.
Title: Re: 1st Pork Butt on Traeger PTG Tailgate unit
Post by: smokeasaurus on February 13, 2013, 02:21:39 PM
Looking good so far............
Title: Re: 1st Pork Butt on Traeger PTG Tailgate unit
Post by: Sam3 on February 13, 2013, 02:48:16 PM
Nice!
Title: Re: 1st Pork Butt on Traeger PTG Tailgate unit
Post by: smoker pete on February 13, 2013, 03:46:48 PM
Took 4 hours to reach an IT of 150ºF.  The Output Value of 32% is keeping the PTG fairly stable in the 325-340º range.

(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Pork/PTGPorkButt02132013/PorkButt8_zpsb2f8c63f.jpg)

Double wrapped in foil and back into the PTG.  The foil will greatly minimize the stall.  Since this is my first pork butt in the PTG and because of the small pit size I've chosen to use a Turbo method that I've used in my MAK 2 Star many times rather than an overnight process.  So far, all is going according to plan ...

(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Pork/PTGPorkButt02132013/PorkButt10_zpsa31beaee.jpg)
Title: Re: 1st Pork Butt on Traeger PTG Tailgate unit
Post by: TMB on February 13, 2013, 04:11:41 PM
Looks good so far.  But got to ask, when you foil at 150 instead of 160 or 165 and then turbo cook do you not lose a lot of the good "low and slow"  by not melting fats/connective tissue ?

Asking cause I would think you'd want to pull and wrap above the 160 mark
Title: Re: 1st Pork Butt on Traeger PTG Tailgate unit
Post by: smoker pete on February 13, 2013, 04:11:53 PM
It might be a little hard to see but the iGrill graph red line is the pork butt IT and shows a nice steady increase.  Happy to see that the temp swings do not adversely affect the IT increases.

The white line is the PTG pit temperature.  The first 2/3 of the graph is when the Output Value was set to 27% and 30% (~ 250ºF range).  Then a sharp spike down:  Opened lid for photo and refill pellet hopper.  Increased OV to 32% and temp stables out nicely in the 335-350º range.

Sharp spikes when I again opened the lid and when the IT reached 150ºF.  Refilled hopper, took photos, removed butt, wrapped in double foil, and inserted back in.  Right now the PTG has recovered nicely and is staying at a very stable 350ºF.  At the 5 hour mark the Pork Butt is sitting at an IT of 185ºF.

(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Pork/PTGPorkButt02132013/PorkButt-5-2-13-13_zpsa43ca92e.jpg)
Title: Re: 1st Pork Butt on Traeger PTG Tailgate unit
Post by: smoker pete on February 13, 2013, 04:22:09 PM
Looks good so far.  But got to ask, when you foil at 150 instead of 160 or 165 and then turbo cook do you not lose a lot of the good "low and slow"  by not melting fats/connective tissue ?

Asking cause I would think you'd want to pull and wrap above the 160 mark

Well Tommy I must admit that you absolutely correct!!  I just checked my little black book of recipes and I've always foiled my Pork Butts at 160ºF and NOT 150ºF ...  At my age, that's why I meticulously document all my cooks ... BUT it doesn't do me any good if I don't read my own documentation   :o :(  :(  Where were you a couple of hours ago  :D :D :D

I'm at 193º right now. I might just take it to 205-210º and hope that the 3 hour FTC rectifies my error!!  Time will tell.  Besides, as the Smoking Monkey once said ... "You can't hurt it cause it's already dead" ...  8)
Title: Re: 1st Pork Butt on Traeger PTG Tailgate unit
Post by: TMB on February 13, 2013, 04:28:55 PM
Looks good so far.  But got to ask, when you foil at 150 instead of 160 or 165 and then turbo cook do you not lose a lot of the good "low and slow"  by not melting fats/connective tissue ?

Asking cause I would think you'd want to pull and wrap above the 160 mark

Well Tommy I must admit that you absolutely correct!!  I just checked my little black book of recipes and I've always foiled my Pork Butts at 160ºF and NOT 150ºF ...  At my age, that's why I meticulously document all my cooks ... BUT it doesn't do me any good if I don't read my own documentation   :o :(  :(  Where were you a couple of hours ago   :D :D :D

I'm at 193º right now. I might just take it to 205-210º and hope that the 3 hour FTC rectifies my error!!  Time will tell.  Besides, as the Smoking Monkey once said ... "You can't hurt it cause it's already dead" ...  8)
Working and watching what your doing with that Little pellet pooper  ;)

The Smoking Monkey is a brilliant Monkey known him for awhile now ;)
Title: Re: 1st Pork Butt on Traeger PTG Tailgate unit
Post by: nepas on February 13, 2013, 04:41:14 PM
Really nice.

I knew i would want one these.
Title: Re: 1st Pork Butt on Traeger PTG Tailgate unit
Post by: Savannahsmoker on February 13, 2013, 04:44:48 PM
Nice looking pork butt and way to go on getting the PID to work. :)

Title: Re: 1st Pork Butt on Traeger PTG Tailgate unit
Post by: TMB on February 13, 2013, 04:49:30 PM
Really nice.

I knew i would want one these.
Bet it would fit in the trunk of the little car Rick!  ;)   

Or do you have it on order and having them ship it next site over :D :D :D :D
Title: 1st Pork Butt on Traeger PTG Tailgate unit
Post by: mikecorn.1 on February 13, 2013, 05:13:35 PM
I'm liking that igrill. Even though I don't need it. ;D. OJ, that hunk of meat looks delicious.


Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: 1st Pork Butt on Traeger PTG Tailgate unit
Post by: smoker pete on February 13, 2013, 09:45:21 PM
Took the Pork Butt to 205ºF followed by a 3 hour FTC.  Using a manual mode Output Value of 32% today on the PID provided a very stable 350ºF range.  Due to ambient temperatures, wind, etc each cook will use different Output Values but now I know that I can smoke & cook with this Tailgate unit ... More cooks to come  :) ;)

(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Pork/PTGPorkButt02132013/PorkButt11_zps657f6d22.jpg)

Here's the bone-in Pork Butt after a 3 hour FTC ...  Pulled and ready to eat!!  SWMBO enjoys Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce on her sandwiches.

(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Pork/PTGPorkButt02132013/PorkButt12_zpsdb3ea566.jpg)

(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Pork/PTGPorkButt02132013/PorkButt13_zps54d3505f.jpg)

(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Pork/PTGPorkButt02132013/PorkButt14_zpsfef4f114.jpg)

I prefer to wolf down the pulled pork with a side of freshly made pinto beans.  Who needs a bun!!  SWMBO said this was the best pulled pork I have ever cooked.  It turned out so tender and moist it literally melted in my mouth.  She also suggested that I should cook a pork butt once a week!  :)  No need to freeze leftovers cause the 6 lb butt was just the perfect size.  It fed us, my Son's family, and left us plenty for pulled pork Burritos tomorrow night  ;D

(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Pork/PTGPorkButt02132013/PorkButt15_zpsa9822500.jpg)
Title: Re: 1st Pork Butt on Traeger PTG Tailgate unit
Post by: muebe on February 13, 2013, 09:52:09 PM
Looks great Pete!

Manual mode is a good fallback to run the PTG ;)
Title: Re: 1st Pork Butt on Traeger PTG Tailgate unit
Post by: smoker pete on February 13, 2013, 10:32:33 PM
Looks great Pete!

Manual mode is a good fallback to run the PTG ;)

Thanks Mike.  Right now I'm tired of playing with those parameters and getting questionable stability.  In the manual mode I can do me some smoking/cooking  :)
Title: Re: 1st Pork Butt on Traeger PTG Tailgate unit
Post by: Old Dave on February 14, 2013, 01:51:23 AM
Nice cook Pete with great color. I need to try a butt on my little cooker.
Title: Re: 1st Pork Butt on Traeger PTG Tailgate unit
Post by: Wing Commander on February 14, 2013, 02:56:16 AM
Great cook!
Title: Re: 1st Pork Butt on Traeger PTG Tailgate unit
Post by: SiFumar on February 14, 2013, 02:56:58 AM
Now that does look good!  I like meals like that...pork and pintos!
Title: Re: 1st Pork Butt on Traeger PTG Tailgate unit
Post by: squirtthecat on February 14, 2013, 07:49:21 AM

Very nice!
Title: Re: 1st Pork Butt on Traeger PTG Tailgate unit
Post by: Sam3 on February 14, 2013, 08:07:07 AM
Now that does look good!  I like meals like that...pork and pintos!

X2!!
Title: Re: 1st Pork Butt on Traeger PTG Tailgate unit
Post by: Hub on February 14, 2013, 08:26:21 AM
Looks like foiling at the "wrong" IT didn't matter a bit!  Good lookin' cook  ;D

Pork butt is a very forgiving chunk of critter.  My recipe and approach are similar to yours but I've found that wide variances don't usually hurt anything.  So long as you don't just way, way overcook it and dry the thing out or way, way undercook it and have it come out tough, it'll work.  There is a big "sweet spot" of time and temperature.

Thanks for a great post!

Hub
Title: Re: 1st Pork Butt on Traeger PTG Tailgate unit
Post by: TMB on February 14, 2013, 10:21:33 AM
Looks great!   I don't think you need the sauce, the meat looks like it would be great just the way it is.

Only down side to foiling, Kimmie does not get her bark and that does not make her happy (so I don't foil often)  ;)