First Pork Butt

[ronman451]

Doing my first-ever pork butt today. On the pellet smoker at 225 with a 12" Amazen tube for supplemental smoke, fat cap down. Rubbed with some olive oil and Pitts and Spitts Ultimate Rib Rub.

I am second-guessing my choice to leave the fat cap on, as I'd like as much bark as possible. Decided to spritz once at a couple of hours with a little apple cider vinegar. Planning on pulling and wrapping at 165 and start checking for done at 195 with a bamboo skewer...

Here goes nothing! :-)


About 2.5 hours in. Temp is around 105.

[IR2dum]

RM, you can't go wrong with that start. Can't wait to hear how it finishes and tastes.

[HighOnSmoke]

Great start on that butt. I always do fat cap down on pork butt when I cook it in my pellet cooker. It seems to protect the meat and I do get more bark. I will do fat side up when I cook on my kettle.

[UWFSAE]

HoS's method is what I use as well.  Trimming off any hard fat is fine, but it's a great heat shield when you go fat cap down.  Good luck on the rest of the cook!

[smokeasaurus]

Fat cap down is the way to go.

[ronman451]

Lord have mercy this came out so good. I'm giving this cook a solid "A".


Smoke profile, seasoning and juiciness were spot-on. No sauce required.