Pork loin cooking temp

[dennisl]

I have a question about smoking a pork loin (approx. 5 lbs). I plan on doing a dry brine, then a dry rub for this cut. My question is about cooking temp for my smoker. I have read on various sites a cooking temp of anywhere from 225 to 325 degrees. Since this is a much leaner and "cleaner" cut than a butt, I am thinking I can smoke it quite a bit higher than 225. If so, what is the recommended smoking temp, and at what internal meat temp (145 ?) do I take it out and let it rest. Thanks. What a great site this is.

[richinlbrg]

I target 225, but don't sweat it until it clears 250 or higher. The only time I go into the 3s is for poultry or if I have something wrapped to power through the stall. That's just me.

[MBMorgan]

Just for reference: http://amazingribs.com/recipes/porkn...oin_roast.html

[Jerod Broussard]

I prefer 325 for loin since it is so lean like chicken breast.

[Thunder77]

+1 on what Jerod said. And I would pull it at 140, since pork is safe to eat at 145. On a 5 pound loin you will get carryover.

[fuzzydaddy]

I cook them 325 and pull at 140, as others have said. Enjoy!

[Nate]

I love smoking whole pork loin. It is one of my favorite things... I smoke mine at around 275 and it usually takes around 3 hours. I pull them off at around 140-145. Have never really had a problem with them being dry etc... I have been known to wrap them in a bacon basket weave before too. Big thing is (like most large cuts of meat)... do not cut or slice until you are actually ready to serve it... That is where you will run into some problems with starting to dry out.

[dennisl]

Thanks for the great information guys - just what I was looking for. I am going to give it a shot tomorrow. Also appreciate the tip about waiting to slice it. Makes a lot of sense when you think about it.

[Thunder77]

I hope you have a great cook! Even if you don't do it tomorrow, I would definitely give the bacon weave a try. It bathes the loin in nice bacon fat, and it really knocks it out of the park! Plus it just looks plain cool. 😎

[mgaretz]

I think it depends on the quantity and quality of the smoke that is produced by your pit at various temps, if you really want a smokey flavor. I do mine at 225f because I get more smoke at that temp then something higher.