BRADLEY SMOKER | "Taste the Great Outdoors"

Smoking Techniques => Hot Smoking and Barbecuing => Topic started by: josbocc on June 13, 2011, 01:37:23 PM

Title: Easy Question..., I hope
Post by: josbocc on June 13, 2011, 01:37:23 PM
Picked up two Boston Butts from Sam's Club, and have every intention of making pulled pork this weekend.  Found some fine rubs on the forum, so I think I'm all set there.  The question is............, are you ready for this........., fat cap up, or fat cap down?

Please let me know your experiences and preferences!!!

Thanks,
Jeff
Title: Re: Easy Question..., I hope
Post by: GusRobin on June 13, 2011, 02:25:50 PM
You will get people that swear to both of the methods. Me?  usually depends upon how much adult beverage I have as I am putting them in the smoker.
Title: Re: Easy Question..., I hope
Post by: josbocc on June 13, 2011, 02:31:43 PM
Gus,

Though I can understand that technique thoroughly  ;D ;D ;D, it does not assist me in my dilemma.  Thanks for making me laugh though!
Title: Re: Easy Question..., I hope
Post by: Hopefull Romantic on June 13, 2011, 02:43:59 PM
Jeff, fat cap up HANDS DOWN.

HR
Title: Re: Easy Question..., I hope
Post by: OU812 on June 13, 2011, 03:04:44 PM
I trim the fat cap off,,,, theres plenty of fat in the butt itself to keep moist.
Title: Re: Easy Question..., I hope
Post by: Ka Honu on June 13, 2011, 03:45:58 PM
You've got two of them; try one each way and see which you prefer.  Neither will suck and you won't have to listen to our Lilliputian arguments.
Title: Re: Easy Question..., I hope
Post by: wyoduke on June 13, 2011, 04:13:29 PM
Quote from: Ka Honu on June 13, 2011, 03:45:58 PM
You've got two of them; try one each way and see which you prefer.  Neither will suck and you won't have to listen to our Lilliputian arguments.
;DX2
Title: Re: Easy Question..., I hope
Post by: watchdog56 on June 13, 2011, 04:44:32 PM
I do mine fat cap up but I am sure fat cap down would be good also.
Title: Re: Easy Question..., I hope
Post by: iceman on June 13, 2011, 04:48:31 PM
Cap up so all the good flavor of the rendering fat drips over the meat on it's way to the drip pan  ;D
Title: Re: Easy Question..., I hope
Post by: beefmann on June 14, 2011, 07:07:27 AM
that  question is a no brainier.... trim the  fat to less then 1/4 inch and fat cap up
Title: Re: Easy Question..., I hope
Post by: KyNola on June 14, 2011, 07:11:13 AM
Like Curt, I too trim off the fact cap and then place the side where the fat cap once was up.  There is plenty of stuff inside the butt to keep it moist, you don't lose a lot of the bark when the fat cap slides off the butt when you go to pull it and there is very little fat to pick out of the meat.

Give it a try.  You won't be disappointed.
Title: Re: Easy Question..., I hope
Post by: ghost9mm on June 14, 2011, 10:26:21 AM
Quote from: KyNola on June 14, 2011, 07:11:13 AM
Like Curt, I too trim off the fact cap and then place the side where the fat cap once was up.  There is plenty of stuff inside the butt to keep it moist, you don't lose a lot of the bark when the fat cap slides off the butt when you go to pull it and there is very little fat to pick out of the meat.

Give it a try.  You won't be disappointed.

X3
Title: Re: Easy Question..., I hope
Post by: josbocc on June 14, 2011, 06:51:09 PM
Oh the quandry........................, so many ideas, and so little time.  That is what I love about this forum.  Perhaps I shall try one up, and one slightly trimmed up as well.

Will post the results, and hopefully some pics.

THANK YOU ALL!!!
Title: Re: Easy Question..., I hope
Post by: squirtthecat on June 14, 2011, 07:56:30 PM

Easy answer...    Buy 3 and smoke them.

F Up
F Down
F Trimmed

Let your guests decide.  ;)

Title: Re: Easy Question..., I hope
Post by: Smokin Soon on June 14, 2011, 08:15:48 PM
When a couple of big chunks of meat spend that many hours being slow roasted to perfection, I do not see any differance at all. The fat in a butt is built in, the outside is like frosting on a cake. Not like a briskit, where it is a crucial part of the slow cook process. For me it's just about choosing how do I want my bark? Soft? Crisp? Foil time and mopping control that.

But, like these guys here taught me a few years back, it's hard to mess up a butt!!!
Title: Re: Easy Question..., I hope
Post by: deb415611 on June 15, 2011, 03:28:12 AM
Quote from: KyNola on June 14, 2011, 07:11:13 AM
Like Curt, I too trim off the fact cap and then place the side where the fat cap once was up.  There is plenty of stuff inside the butt to keep it moist, you don't lose a lot of the bark when the fat cap slides off the butt when you go to pull it and there is very little fat to pick out of the meat.

Give it a try.  You won't be disappointed.

I do it this way too
Title: Re: Easy Question..., I hope
Post by: Indy Smoker on June 15, 2011, 05:38:24 AM
Put 'er UP !!
Title: Re: Re: Re: Easy Question..., I hope
Post by: Keymaster on June 15, 2011, 07:10:34 AM
Quote from: beefmann on June 14, 2011, 07:07:27 AM
that  question is a no brainier.... trim the  fat to less then 1/4 inch and fat cap up
This is the only way I have ever done it .

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Title: Re: Re: Re: Easy Question..., I hope
Post by: Ka Honu on June 15, 2011, 07:20:19 AM
Quote from: Keymaster on June 15, 2011, 07:10:34 AMThis is the only way I have ever done it.

You have no idea how many things in my life that describes. I have come to realize, however, that even for someone as exceptional as I am, that doesn't always make it right and certainly doesn't make it the only way.
Title: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Easy Question..., I hope
Post by: Keymaster on June 15, 2011, 07:57:06 AM
Quote from: Ka Honu on June 15, 2011, 07:20:19 AM
Quote from: Keymaster on June 15, 2011, 07:10:34 AMThis is the only way I have ever done it.

You have no idea how many things in my life that describes. I have come to realize, however, that even for someone as exceptional as I am, that doesn't always make it right and certainly doesn't make it the only way.
Lol, ok, I'm going to costco and get a pork butt and then I'm going cook it on its left side, fat cap pointing due east  ;D

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Title: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Easy Question..., I hope
Post by: Ka Honu on June 15, 2011, 10:54:26 AM
Quote from: Keymaster on June 15, 2011, 07:57:06 AM... fat cap pointing due east 

I think that's how they do it in Islamic homes to make it legal to eat pork.  Being Jewish, I point mine toward the nearest stock market or major bank.
Title: Re: Easy Question..., I hope
Post by: josbocc on June 15, 2011, 12:13:54 PM
The masses have spoken, Fat Cap Up it will be.  I'm looking for a crispier bark, so perhaps I shall trim as well.  Thanks for all of your advice, as well as a few laughs.

Jeff