Stall with pork Boston butt

[Corepin]

I recently smoked a butt. I kept the temp between 225°F and 300°F. I hit a long stall when the meat reached 142°F. It was a burden butt that required me to mop once and hour. 7 hours into the cook I finally reached 160°F on this 9 1/2 lbs of meat. I started catching the juices with a drip pan 5 hrs into the cook. Once the meat hit 160°F I placed it in a pan and covered it with the rendered juices. At 199°F It stalled out again. After an hour I decided it was enough. It tasted amazing however I had to put it in a crock pot to reach the desired tenderness. What did I do wrong to not reach the desired affect with the smoker?

[RonB]

You just didn't leave it in the smoker long enough. Butts are done when they are done. If the bone is in, it's done when you can twist the bone out. If there is no bone, it's done when a probe goes in like a knife into warm butter.

[Henrik]

Words of wisdom. Also I might add that 225-300 is a large range. Try keeping it 225-250 next time.

[Corepin]

Thanks I'll be more patient next time. I was worried the meat was gonna dry out.

[HouseHomey]

What were you using to temp the cooker? Temp the butt? At what temp was most of yourr cook. 225° to 300° is a big range? What are you cooking on?

[EdF]

I recently smoked a butt. I kept the temp between 225°F and 300°F. I hit a long stall when the meat reached 142°F. It was a burden butt that required me to mop once and hour. 7 hours into the cook I finally reached 160°F on this 9 1/2 lbs of meat. I started catching the juices with a drip pan 5 hrs into the cook. Once the meat hit 160°F I placed it in a pan and covered it with the rendered juices. At 199°F It stalled out again. After an hour I decided it was enough. It tasted amazing however I had to put it in a crock pot to reach the desired tenderness. What did I do wrong to not reach the desired affect with the smoker?

I'd say you worried a bit too much about the outcome, and neglected to consume sufficient adult beverages, or to just sit there and appreciate being alive. Nothing personal, just saying, as someone who has his own tendency to wrap himself around outcomes.

[hoovarmin]

There should be a name or Acronym for this EdF. You are dialed-in on a phenomenon we need to understand in a deep and nuanced manner.

[EdF]

Yes, hoovarmin, and I think it requires a truly thorough empirical approach for each practitioner to achieve his or her own optimal mix.

[Corepin]

Thanks for the responses. Most of the cook was kept at 225°F and 250°F. The exception being twice in the middle of the cook. It got up to 300°F for a little over an hour all together. Also on purpose at the end of the cook. I should have started it earlier.
my smoker is an older 20" Longhorn made from 3/16" steel. The flavor was great. My wife want me to do another one Monday. I'll be sure to start earlier and follow the recommendations posted here more closely.
Thanks again...

[EdF]

Nice color!

[DWCowles]

Looks good