1st butt questions

[DivotMaker]

I like my Briner Jr. too, Eric.  Works great for 98% of what I brine!  Just can't do briskets or turkeys in it.

[SuperDave]

I like my Briner Jr. too, Eric.  Works great for 98% of what I brine!  Just can't do briskets or turkeys in it.

Does the full briner fit in the refrigerator or is one better off staying with an ice chest once you out grow a briner junior? 

[aspenextreme03]

Full briner would fit if you take shelves out but would be a pain honestly. It is the size of a normal sized bucket. For me when i get one the only place i can fit it without rearranging is my kegerator.

[aspenextreme03]

And we are officially smoking at 11:30 pm

[aspenextreme03]

8 hours in and the pork says it of 174. Seems a little fast but i guess the time it takes to get to 190 will be a while with the stall

[swthorpe]

Yes, that temp seems about right...the stall should be occurring now.  Hang in there!

[aspenextreme03]

That is what i figured with the 7.5 lb but. I have to say it so nice setting it and then not having to worry overnight what is happening. Was raining when i set it up and covered the maverick just in case. Worked flawlessly so far.

After it gets to 190 i am having my wife turn it down to 140 since i dont get home until 5:30

[NDKoze]

Seems like you are right on track. Once you get into the 170s things really slow down even excluding the stall. Sounds like it will work out about perfect.

[aspenextreme03]

And my wife just sent me and the IT hit 190.  that was just about 12 hours for a 7.5 lb butt.  She turned it down to 140 to keep it warm.  That means it will be in there for 5 hours before I get home at 140.  Is that ok or should I have her take it out in a couple of hours and double foil?  Or just wait until I get home at 5 to foil and rest?

[NDKoze]

I think you'll be OK. I have held mine for 6 hours and it has been fine. I don't know that I would hold it much longer than that though.

My guess is that she'll see a rise up to 192-195 or so and then start to fall as the temp in the box lowers.

You could have her pull, double-foil, and then place in a cooler with some towels on top around 3:30-4:30 or so. Then it would have a 3-4 hour rest. Even after a 4 hour rest, it will be plenty warm for pulling and eating.

[aspenextreme03]

Perfect and thanks.  At least I know now how long we are looking.  For next time I will just buy a 10 lb butt so I am all good with the timing.  A good excuse to buy a bigger one.

[NDKoze]

Yeah, I always get the biggest ones I can find. I love pulled pork leftovers. I would try to get the leftovers vacuum-packed as soon as you can while they are warm. It is so awesome to come home from a long day at work and be able to reheat a pack of pulled pork when you don't have time to smoke a fresh one. Often times, the reheated meat tastes even better.

Plus, the bigger butts cook more evenly and I think turn out better than the smaller ones. I know there have been guys here who have tried smoking even smaller ones in the 5-6 pound range and didn't have the best results.

I have had good luck with 7.5 pounders though.

[swthorpe]

I agree with Gregg, I think you will be fine for a few hours at 140.   The good news is you now know you will be enjoying pulled pork at 7:30 tonight!  I would rather be where you are now than standing over the smoker at 6pm wondering why the BB has not reached 190IT.  Enjoy!

[aspenextreme03]

So true

[DivotMaker]

Well?  How was it when you got home, Eric?  All good??