How long will a pork butt keep in the refrigerator?

[JohnM70]

I bought a pork butt on Thursday (a week ago). The temperature was not conducive to smoking (30 and 20MPH wind). I decided to hold off for a few days. Well things worse. Today the temp is -6 and wind chill is about -35. I just love SD. I vacuum sealed the butt, the corners have a little air pocket. The weather will break early next week 40's. Our refrigerator temp is 38-40.

Will I be safe for a few more days or should I freeze the butt? I could start the smoking today or tonight but I am not sure how long the process will take not that I am going anywhere. I do wrap a blanket around the box.

I will provide pictures when I smoke this time.

John

[GusRobin]

How much does the butt weigh? I have had 8 lb butts at 225* take anywhere from 16-20hrs.

[beefmann]

 i say freeze it ... or cure it into ham hopefully by then  the weather  will settle down

[Habanero Smoker]

Go by the use/freeze by date that should be on the label. The last butt I purchased was cryovac, and the use/freeze by date was three weeks from the day that I purchased it.

[JohnM70]

Do you know that split second after you press the 'enter key' you wish you had not. Well first of all the "use or freeze by date" is 2/11/2013 obviously I did not look at; also, it is a 5lbs butt. The weather is warming up (for the Midwest), it will be in the 30's by Saturday. I am going to give it a try. I am sure it will be done by Superbowl time. I am going to check SAM's and some local meat markets to see if I can find large butts. The 5 LBS is largest the local market had.

I am going to check the rubs in the forum.

My goal is to be sure my brain is engaged :-[  the next time... more to come.

John

[car54]

For years if you really want it to.

Brad

[TedEbear]

Do you know that split second after you press the 'enter key' you wish you had not.

There's always the "modify" button to edit your posts.   And if you edit it within the first 60 seconds after you post it there won't even be a mention of that in your edited message.   ;)

Anyhow, if I'm not going to smoke a butt within a day or two after I purchase it I trim the fat cap off, wrap it in freezer paper and stick it in the freezer.  Our local grocery frequently has pork butts on sale for $.99/lb or less and it's hard to pass up a good deal.  I sometimes have two or three in the freezer before my wife starts complaining about running out of room and then I start cooking them.

When I'm eventually ready to cook it I take it out of the freezer, wipe it down with molasses, sprinkle some rub and stick it in the Bradley, still frozen.  After the initial 3-4 hour smoke session is done I insert the meat probe and let it finish cooking.

[KyNola]

For years if you really want it to.
Brad

Uh, excuse me. Say what?