whole pork shoulder versus using butts - cooking time question...

[Ross Nepean]

planning on doing a whole shoulder this weekend - it's around 15lbs. Should I be planning on the normal 1.5hrs per pound? I am trying to logically understand why if I cut the shoulder in half that it would reduce cooking time by half = thoughts?

ALso quick one - when I probe my butts I seem to have different temperature zones - maybe a little particular but what is your approach when area of the butt is at 190 and another is at 200 - do you take off or do you "overcook" until the entire is above 200?

thanks in advance!

 

[Dave Russell]

You might do some searches and look up how Chris Lilly or Myron Mixon smoke their whole pork shoulders. I've only done a couple off a wild hog, but as you've already reasoned, hrs per pound guidelines for pork butts don't apply to whole shoulders. The challenge is to cook it long enough without drying out the leaner picnic part of it, so I'd be cautious. I'd plan on chopping and using a N Carolina finishing sauce.

 

[timothy]

Yes, if you divide it half you have a picnic and a butt which should roughly equal 7 pounds so you will cut the time in half, just like you don't double the cooking times when doing two same sized butts, the come up temp might take a little longer with the extra mass. The picnic should finish sooner if you want to serve it for slicing, if pulling both, I don't rely on a specific temp, rather check it with a probe for tender.

Tim

 

[Ross Nepean]

Thanks

Yes, if you divide it half you have a picnic and a butt which should roughly equal 7 pounds so you will cut the time in half, just like you don't double the cooking times when doing two same sized butts, the come up temp might take a little longer with the extra mass. The picnic should finish sooner if you want to serve it for slicing, if pulling both, I don't rely on a specific temp, rather check it with a probe for tender.

Tim

Thanks need to find a video now for separating butt from picnic. Trying new charcoal brand so lots of variables which makes for a fun time!