Problem w/ Super Bowl Butt

JayM · February 06, 2011, 08:30:02 AM

At some point in the middle of the night, the cabinet heating element turned off. When I woke up, the pork butt was sitting at 100 degrees. I have it cranked back up and I think I'll have enough time for it to finish before the game, but should I be concerned (health reasons) about a pork butt sitting at 150 degrees for an unknown amount of hours?

I have a decent bark on it so I'm assuming it turned off closer to the morning, but have no way of knowing how long and at what temp the pork butt was cooking at.

Thanks in advance for your help!

GusRobin · February 06, 2011, 08:38:39 AM

if you have the digital I think you can only set it for 9 hrs at a time. That might be why it shut off. As far as the pork question I can't answer. My personal philosophy is when in doubt throw it out. Luckily if you make the call now you can still find an alternative.

TedEbear · February 06, 2011, 09:03:23 AM

Quote from: JayM on February 06, 2011, 08:30:02 AM
but should I be concerned (health reasons) about a pork butt sitting at 150 degrees for an unknown amount of hours?

150*F isn't too bad. If it got back down close to room temp then you might have a problem. I'd make sure the internal temp gets to 200-205*F before pulling it out though.

muebe · February 06, 2011, 09:10:54 AM

I agree with Gus....No one wants to make guests or their family sick

GusRobin · February 06, 2011, 09:19:49 AM

Quote from: JayM on February 06, 2011, 08:30:02 AM
When I woke up, the pork butt was sitting at 100 degrees. I have it cranked back up and I think I'll have enough time for it to finish before the game, but should I be concerned (health reasons) about a pork butt sitting at 150 degrees for an unknown amount of hours?

The above is confusing. What was the IT at? If it was sitting at 100 that is within the danger zone. If it was sitting at 150 then that is a big difference.

JayM · February 06, 2011, 09:26:30 AM

Sorry about that.

The internal temp was 100 on the dot when I checked it this morning. The cabinet temp was 150.

muebe · February 06, 2011, 09:29:10 AM

100 IT is not good! I know it hurts but I would toss it :'(

JayM · February 06, 2011, 10:18:17 AM

I was afraid that was the answer, but couldn't do it without some other opinions. I'm pretty disappointed, but I have some ribs thawing which can be done for halftime.

If I did serve it, we'd all have a built in excuse in case we drink too much. "It wasn't the whiskey, it was that damn pork butt!" "Sorry boss, I ate pork butt last night and won't be able to make it in today."

muebe · February 06, 2011, 10:56:49 AM

Food poisioning is horrible and I would take any day at work over that! One time I got it from El Pollo Loco and was suffering for several days, dehydrated and wanted to die :P You are making the best decision IMHO :)

JayM · February 06, 2011, 11:02:13 AM

As a side note, any idea what happened to my heating element? It's an OBS with no PID. It was cooking last night before I went to bed and came back on when I moved the slider this morning. Do I need a new heat control switch (slider)?