i let my pork butts set out for at least an hour,[two 6lb butts]while warming up smoker,with bicut heater on too,got temp.up to 240f put in pork,temp.won't go over 240,been smokin for four hours now.is that high a heat as possable with sort a big load?vent is closed on top also.
Ruffinit,
Your temp is way to high. It would be better to back off the temp to 200F and let it go Low & Slow.You only need an internal meat temp of 165F.The longer it yakes to get there the better.Hope this helps.
<i><font color="blue"><b>Jack</i></font id="blue"></b>
Ruffinit- see Hot Smokin BBQ thread on main page- New customer with problems-for more info on the heat issue. I don't think there is anything wrong with your unit and this is perfectly normal as 240 is plenty for cooking your butts. Actually, you might want to tone it down a touch- somewhere in the 200-220 range should be fine.
Good luck with the butts!
Cold Smoke
thanks jack and cold smoke.butts are looking good,heat down to 200f now,been goin for 8 hrs.now,just basted gonna leave smoke for an hour low heat.the hungry masses are knockin.see ya
I've smoked many a butt in my life. [:)] However, never ever over 190 degree F. Shrinkage!
(http://www.dow-mgc.org/Rayeimages/skyway50.jpg)