Howdy all,
Been cooking my 3rd Butt this morning/afternoon. Had problems during previous cooks with the fire going out (got a dual Maverick after that), low temps/looong cooks, and a fallen butt. Some was due to not getting a good start on the coals, others due to running out of coals before the butt was done (10 lb butt).
Today I loaded it up with a "picnic roast" (20lbs) purchased thinking it was 2 butts. (bright ain't I) No worries as I am going for a mess of pulled pork, and I read here that the both hunks are considered good for that.
Dry brined and did a dry rub.
Set the hooks and loaded the PBC up after filling the basket extra full, with a layer of Kingsford Comp on bottom and a layer of regular Kingsford on top. Set out 16 briquettes for a mid cook reload so I don't have a dying fire like before.
A good start, peak temp at load up was 320, dropped and swung for a few hours, cracked the lid as needed to keep it above 250, so far pretty good.
4 hours in I added the extra briq's at the stall @ 162*, and ran temp up to 325* to power thru the stall, no wrapping today, maximum bark-ness I hope.
15 min later the pit temp dropped to 286 and was falling fast. Checked the pit and one of the hunks had fallen off hooks and was getting BBQ'ed cavemen style. A bit of panic mode and all was well, except some possible bark was now totally burned...dang!
45 min later the temp jumped way up, 360 and climbing fast. Took a peek inside and found the other hunk dove into the dirt...er, coal bed. Flames were visible and trying to pick up the meat was damn near impossible due to the abundant smoke and flames. Had it half way out when it seperated into 2 pieces and dove back into the fire. Really hustling now, smoke billowing out of the barrel, flames leaping in earnest, meat burning away. Finally got a hold of them, but laid my arm up against the barrel and burnt the crap outta my tender under bicep area....Yow!!! Sensitive skin there, I tell ya!
Got the hunk inside and removed the burnt areas, tossed 'em both on the grill rack and back in they went. Obviously my hook placement left something to be desired, seemed secure enough, but......
Hit another stall I think, about 180*, opened up the rebar holes as I wasn't using them anymore and it appears I powered thru it and all looks good at 195*, almost time to remove and get to pulling the meat. Where's my Thermapen?
I thought this was a boring "hobby"....
Cheers!
Been cooking my 3rd Butt this morning/afternoon. Had problems during previous cooks with the fire going out (got a dual Maverick after that), low temps/looong cooks, and a fallen butt. Some was due to not getting a good start on the coals, others due to running out of coals before the butt was done (10 lb butt).
Today I loaded it up with a "picnic roast" (20lbs) purchased thinking it was 2 butts. (bright ain't I) No worries as I am going for a mess of pulled pork, and I read here that the both hunks are considered good for that.
Dry brined and did a dry rub.
Set the hooks and loaded the PBC up after filling the basket extra full, with a layer of Kingsford Comp on bottom and a layer of regular Kingsford on top. Set out 16 briquettes for a mid cook reload so I don't have a dying fire like before.
A good start, peak temp at load up was 320, dropped and swung for a few hours, cracked the lid as needed to keep it above 250, so far pretty good.
4 hours in I added the extra briq's at the stall @ 162*, and ran temp up to 325* to power thru the stall, no wrapping today, maximum bark-ness I hope.
15 min later the pit temp dropped to 286 and was falling fast. Checked the pit and one of the hunks had fallen off hooks and was getting BBQ'ed cavemen style. A bit of panic mode and all was well, except some possible bark was now totally burned...dang!
45 min later the temp jumped way up, 360 and climbing fast. Took a peek inside and found the other hunk dove into the dirt...er, coal bed. Flames were visible and trying to pick up the meat was damn near impossible due to the abundant smoke and flames. Had it half way out when it seperated into 2 pieces and dove back into the fire. Really hustling now, smoke billowing out of the barrel, flames leaping in earnest, meat burning away. Finally got a hold of them, but laid my arm up against the barrel and burnt the crap outta my tender under bicep area....Yow!!! Sensitive skin there, I tell ya!
Got the hunk inside and removed the burnt areas, tossed 'em both on the grill rack and back in they went. Obviously my hook placement left something to be desired, seemed secure enough, but......
Hit another stall I think, about 180*, opened up the rebar holes as I wasn't using them anymore and it appears I powered thru it and all looks good at 195*, almost time to remove and get to pulling the meat. Where's my Thermapen?
I thought this was a boring "hobby"....
Cheers!
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