What causes stall

[Alanfromwis]

  Recently did 2 butts & a back rib smoke that totaled about 10 lbs. It was a nice warm calm day. Butts got to 160 IT, then stalled, back to 159 & later to 158. Didnt't get past that as a storm with rain, wind & possible hail moved in. Moved to kitchen range with Maverk probe still in place. Took a long time at 225 (range temp) to get to 185 IT. The butts both had quite a bit of fat in them. Could the  fat start to melt and run off at 160 IT, and thereby not add temp to butt?
  Any coments appreciated.
alanfromwis

[muebe]

The stall is caused when the connective tissues break down(melt). This process causes the butt to stall due to the cooling of the connective tissue that is now a liquid.

This is the process that changes it from sliced pork to pulled pork.

[Up In Smoke]

Allenfromwis,
The "stall " is the collagen breaking down,fat melting along with evaporative cooling.
evaporative cooling is like sweating in theory. it means that the liquids inside the roast are being
released to the surface as the meat closest to the center begins to rise to the surface temp.
this can take 3 to 6 hours depending on the size of the roast and it's attitude. piggy's can be stubborn sometimes.
This is the reason i do FTC for a couple of hours before pulling, it lets the juices redistribute themselves back through the
meat.
I sure hope this makes sense.....i ain't no scientist nary at all.  ;D

[Alanfromwis]

Thanks neube & UpInSmoke,
  Knowing the cause helps when planning how long it might take to time to eat.

[squirtthecat]

Some people foil the butts at 145° or so to 'power through' the stall, but you lose a lot of the pretty bark that way.

Granted, I'm no pitmaster, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last month!  :D

[Up In Smoke]

I'm no pitmaster, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last month!  :D

Ok squirt you can send me a new monitor now!! this one has beer on it!
I  think i just cracked a rib!!

[FLBentRider]

When connective tissue - collagen - breaks down, the result is gelatin, which is what makes pulled pork so lick-smacking good - and water. The evaporation of the water has a cooling effect, hence the "stall"

I just plan accordingly. Low and slow, not low, slow then fast.

[TedEbear]

In simple terms, the stall is caused by evaporative cooling.  Here are the scientific details from an article on the Amazing Ribs website:

Understanding And Beating The Barbecue Stall, Bane Of All Barbecuers

[Alanfromwis]

  Many thanks to all that responded to my question on stall. I knew this was the place to ask questions. The answers were very informitive and much help.
alanfromwis

[ExpatCanadian]

In simple terms, the stall is caused by evaporative cooling.  Here are the scientific details from an article on the Amazing Ribs website:

Understanding And Beating The Barbecue Stall, Bane Of All Barbecuers

Dang...  I was keen to post that link myself having just read it!  You beat me to it...  it's a good read!  :)

[GusRobin]

The real reason has to do when the Lord made pigs and football.  He realized that some of his people (those that could not get tickets) would prefer to spend Saturday and/or Sunday in front of the tv watching football.  He realized that with some exceptions, this would primarily be the male of the species. So except for the fortunate ones, most males would end up with a mate that did not have the same love for football. After the initial luster of married life started to wear off, he realized that the non-football loving mate would not take kindly to the football loving mate sitting in front of the TV watching football all day. So he made the butt and included the long stall period. Therefore the football loving mate could throw a butt in the smoker and it would take a long time to finish cooking. So after many hours in front of the tv, when the non-football loving mate yelled " are you going to spend all day in front of the tv drinking beer and watching football", the football loving mate could hold up their maverick remote thermometer and truthfully say " Can't you see I am busy cooking you dinner?"
That's my story and I am sticking to it.

[KyNola]

The real reason has to do when the Lord made pigs and football.  He realized that some of his people (those that could not get tickets) would prefer to spend Saturday and/or Sunday in front of the tv watching football.  He realized that with some exceptions, this would primarily be the male of the species. So except for the fortunate ones, most males would end up with a mate that did not have the same love for football. After the initial luster of married life started to wear off, he realized that the non-football loving mate would not take kindly to the football loving mate sitting in front of the TV watching football all day. So he made the butt and included the long stall period. Therefore the football loving mate could throw a butt in the smoker and it would take a long time to finish cooking. So after many hours in front of the tv, when the non-football loving mate yelled " are you going to spend all day in front of the tv drinking beer and watching football", the football loving mate could hold up their maverick remote thermometer and truthfully say " Can't you see I am busy cooking you dinner?"
That's my story and I am sticking to it.

Forget all the scientific explanations you got and go with this one! ;D  Good one GusRobin.

[Consooger]

The real reason has to do when the Lord made pigs and football.  He realized that some of his people (those that could not get tickets) would prefer to spend Saturday and/or Sunday in front of the tv watching football.  He realized that with some exceptions, this would primarily be the male of the species. So except for the fortunate ones, most males would end up with a mate that did not have the same love for football. After the initial luster of married life started to wear off, he realized that the non-football loving mate would not take kindly to the football loving mate sitting in front of the TV watching football all day. So he made the butt and included the long stall period. Therefore the football loving mate could throw a butt in the smoker and it would take a long time to finish cooking. So after many hours in front of the tv, when the non-football loving mate yelled " are you going to spend all day in front of the tv drinking beer and watching football", the football loving mate could hold up their maverick remote thermometer and truthfully say " Can't you see I am busy cooking you dinner?"
That's my story and I am sticking to it.

Probably one of the funniest things I have read on here so far. HILLARIOUS!!!!  ;D