First pork Butt...second smoke and smoke gen broke?!?

[Steve81]

Hey guys thanks to all the help of members on this great forum my first pork butt is sitting in FTC as I type this. Sorry I didnt get any pics as she went in after turkey dinner at around 1am ..... I will try to take one before and after I pull it. I have a few questions....

This butt was about 8 lbs and finished in around 11 hours is this normal?? it went in around 1 am and hit 192 degress at about noon today? the OBS was running a little hotter then i would have liked (between 230-240) but this still seemed fast from what I have heard others say on here?

Second whats the easiest way to get it from the rack to the foil?? It wanted to fall apart... I got it done with one chunk coming off and sticking to the rack but im sure the masters here have some tricks.

The third issue which really probably needs a new topic is that this is only my second smoke third if you count the seasoning and the smoke generator seems to have an issue. It did not want to advance the pucks.... the piece that pushes the pucks retracts but then only comes back out a quarter of the way and seems to get stuck and then stays in that position moving only a little bit trying to push all the way..... if i push it back with my finger it will some times work but most of the time it seems to get stuck ? ? ?  some how it did advance the pucks last night eventually but even if i press the button it gets stuck being pretty much brand new could it just need a cleaning ? or should I call bradley and see whats going on???  Anyways the Butt looks really good and I cant wait to eat tonight. Thaks for all the advice on here guys


Steve

[squirtthecat]

Yeah, give Bradley a call. It's probably something minor or misaligned.

Get some Frogmats (non stick mats), and some Bear Claws Paws for wrestling those butts..

Yard and Pool sells both.   The Frogmats are trimmed to fit the Bradley racks.

[GusRobin]

Second whats the easiest way to get it from the rack to the foil?? It wanted to fall apart... I got it done with one chunk coming off and sticking to the rack but im sure the masters here have some tricks.

I use a pair of these


They are great when you want to move racks, hold a rack while you are mopping, etc. I think they cost me about $20 including shipping.Here is the website:

https://www.galeton.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10601&productId=13980&catalogId=10101&krypto=rHat%2BT0VaY2DcBho2PlDYXi6Z30cSEny9Nika%2BOE%2FCMo%2BtWUwk%2BYIGaGVp7tQvq1jaSRRpgEoGeK%0AFMrmNijXFy9kRfwvs8S6CJuFlmtyKzbOhgJhMZP9scEDY7fLLXJd&ddkey=http:ProductDisplay

[Pachanga]

GusRobin is on target.

Silicone gloves are great and I use them a lot.  They make a great piece of equipment for handling hot meats.

The last few butts I have done on the regular racks were stuck pretty well.  I placed another rack on top of the butt and flipped the tightly sandwiched butt 180 degrees.  Now the stuck bottom was on top.  Take a kitchen knife and starting at one end, gently push thru each square while pulling up on the rack from the end you started the release process.  The rack will come right off with little to no damage when you get to the end.  Now place your heavy duty foil on top and wrap two of the sides.  Using those gloves or a hot pad, hold the foil from the bottom and flip the rack.  The butt is now in a blanket.  

If you are uncomfortable due to a large butt, double or triple the foil and attach to the edges of the rack so the butt is held tightly.  Now flip.

It works for me everytime ------ except when it doesn't.

Bradley will take care of your puck advancement problem.

Don't be dissuaded or discouraged.  It is going to be fun and you will soon be known as a barbeque pro in your neck of the woods..

Good luck and slow smoking,

Pachanga

[Habanero Smoker]

It may be that something is blocking the movement.

Here are some trouble shooting tips you may also want to look at.
Bradley FAQ's