FTC?

[Steve81]

Hey guys,

I am just wondering is it nesscary to FTC? if you are doing a butt and dont FTC is that ok ? I know it needs to sit some time regardless to redistribute the juices but is the FTC required?

Thanks

[Rich_91360]

not required, but does keep butt warm while your allowing it to rest.
personally I always FTC

[EZ Smoker]

FTCing does a lot more than just keeping your butt warm.   Okay, that sentence sounded funny, but... anyway.

The purpose for low-and-slow cooking is not just to get the meat to a high IT, but the keep it there.    If you cook a pork butt to 190 IT, then FTC it for two hours, the IT will stay very high for those two hours, which will continue to melt the connective tissue, making your butt tender and juicy, without the risk of overcooking by leaving it on the active heat.

EDIT:  That said, no, it's not absolutely necessary, but it does help.

[hal4uk]

Steve, most of us here (who have done a lot of butts), have learned through a lot of practice, that a good long FTC is worth the wait.  It just works wonders.  No, you don't have to do it, but most of us always do it.  Aside from the advantages EZ pointed out, if you plan to cook and serve a butt, you can add in a lot of extra time for FTC when you are planning.  Then, if you have a very stubborn butt (and it happens), you can still serve it on schedule and it will be fine, but if the schedule works out, all the extra FTC time will make it even better.  On the flip side, if you don't plan on a long FTC, and you have a stubborn butt, you guests will leave long before it's ready.  That said, the planning time is just a bonus/safety net.  A long FTC does make a noticable difference.  I could go on and on about this, but - just do it.   ;)

[Steve81]

I appreciate it guys ...... You guys here have been fantastic so far even though most of my help has been just reading posts it has helped tons. The first Butt is being done this weekend (I hope the rain holds off!! ) I will plan for the FTC time makes sense! Thanks again..... oh and this smoke I will try and get some pics along the way to help with your food porn addictions!!! lol

Steve

[RAF128]

IMO if the butt is done when you want to eat, go ahead and dig in.    If it's done early then FTC.   That's what I do.

[hal4uk]

Alternatively, Steve, you could just cook it at 1800° for 20 minutes and toss it in a big Hobart chopper with some 1000 Island dressing.   ;D   8)   ::)

[classicrockgriller]

Everybodys taste is diffferent as everybody's cooking methods.

Done butts with and without FTC and my preferred method (time

permitting) is a long FTC.

The extra time in the foil wrapping has always given me a juicer butt ;D

Try it both ways and decide how you like it.