Pork Butt Questions

[HRC99]

Getting ready for my first Pulled Pork attempt on Sunday.

First question.  Is this a butt?






I've been having ongoing conversations with my butcher and that's what he's come up with.

[STLstyle]

A pork butt is actually the shoulder.  I think I see ribs and spine in that pick so I'd say no. More experienced folk will be by shortly.

[GusRobin]

I'll let the experts come in but it looks like it may be a butt + as it has more bones than I normally see.

[HRC99]

It's definitely a shoulder but my butcher might have cut it a bit far down towards the breast.  It weighs about 9lb.

[NePaSmoKer]

[HRC99]

From the look of that chart its the picnic end.

[Tenpoint5]

It is the butt. It also contains some of the neck meat. If you look at the muscle by the bone sliver next to the knife. Draw an oval using the muscles. Thatvis what we are used to seeing as a boston butt. You just have a few more bones attached. You should be able to remove the rib section and the spine section. Also remove the skin. Once you get those removed it's GAME ON!!

Guys we are not used to seeing the socket end of the shoulder blade bone. That is what is throwing us off in the picture of the butt

[HRC99]

It is the butt. It also contains some of the neck meat. If you look at the muscle by the bone sliver next to the knife. Draw an oval using the muscles. Thatvis what we are used to seeing as a boston butt. You just have a few more bones attached. You should be able to remove the rib section and the spine section. Also remove the skin. Once you get those removed it's GAME ON!!

Guys we are not used to seeing the socket end of the shoulder blade bone. That is what is throwing us off in the picture of the butt

Superb!  Skins already removed ready to make crackling.

Couple of questions.  Is it essential to remove the ribs and how long before can I apply the rub?

Planning on smoking early on Sunday and wondered if Friday night would be too early?

[Tenpoint5]

You don't have to remove the rib and neck bones if you don't want to. Season it up Saturday night wrap in plastic in the fridge overnight then reapply in the morning

[tskeeter]

I find that applying the rub about 8 hours or so before smoking works for me.  I apply a heavy coating of rub, wrap the shoulder in plastic wrap, then refrigerate.  A couple of hours before I put the shoulder in the smoker, I'll set the shoulder on the counter to warm a bit.

[beefmann]

the diagram says it all

[Saber 4]

That's one of the better diagrams I've seen, had to make a copy for my phone so I can explain things to people that don't know anything.