Smoking a pork butt to make pulled pork is a rewarding experience for any backyard pitmaster. But knowing exactly how many hours you need to smoke a pork butt can be confusing, especially for beginners. The cook time varies based on a number of factors. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about calculating the hours needed to smoke a pork butt.
The General Guideline – 1.5 Hours Per Pound
The most commonly recommended guideline is to estimate about 1.5 hours of smoking time per pound of pork butt. This rule of thumb applies when smoking at a temperature around 225-250°F.
So for example, if you have a 7 lb pork butt, you can expect it to take approximately 10-11 hours of smoking time from start to finish at 225°F. For a 10 lb butt, plan for 15+ hours.
This 1.5 hours per pound estimate is a useful starting point. But the actual time can vary based on multiple variables, which we’ll discuss next.
Key Factors That Impact Cook Time
While the 1.5 hour per pound guideline is helpful many factors can speed up or extend the actual smoking time. Here are some of the main variables to keep in mind
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Cooking Temperature – Higher temps like 275°F will reduce cooking time Lower temps down to 200°F will increase it
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Size and Shape – Bigger, thicker pork butts take longer than smaller, thinner ones. Odd shapes cook unevenly.
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Bone-In vs Boneless – Bone-in butt can add time since the bone insulates the meat.
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Fat Cap – Thick fat caps render faster, which speeds up cooking.
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Wood Choice – Some wood burns hotter, impacting smoker temp.
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Spritzing – Opening the smoker to spritz loses heat and slows cooking.
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Resting – Always rest smoked pork butts for 1-2 hours before pulling.
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Weather – Cold, wind, rain can significantly increase smoking time.
So while 1.5 hours per pound is a helpful estimate, monitor temperature, tenderness, and other variables that impact your particular smoker.
Calculating Smoking Time for Any Size Pork Butt
You can use the 1.5 hours per pound rule to easily estimate smoking time for a pork butt of any size:
- Take the weight of your pork butt in pounds
- Multiply by 1.5 hours per pound
- The result is the estimated total smoking time at 225°F
For example, for a 5 lb pork butt:
- 5 lbs x 1.5 hours per lb = 7.5 hours
- For a 10 lb butt:
- 10 lbs x 1.5 hours per lb = 15 hours
Here’s a handy chart with estimated smoking times for different pork butt sizes:
| Pork Butt Weight | Estimated Smoking Time at 225°F |
|---|---|
| 5 lbs | 7-8 hours |
| 7 lbs | 10-11 hours |
| 8 lbs | 12 hours |
| 10 lbs | 15 hours |
| 12 lbs | 18 hours |
These are approximate time ranges. Monitor temperature and tenderness, not the clock.
Step-by-Step Guide to Smoking a Pork Butt
Now let’s walk through the full process of smoking a pork butt from start to finish:
1. Choose Your Pork Butt
- Get a well-marbled pork butt, at least 7-8 lbs if possible.
- Look for a thick fat cap, which bastes the meat as it renders.
- Bone-in or boneless is fine, trim excess fat if needed.
2. Prepare Your Rub
- Make a spice rub with brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, garlic, etc.
- Generously season the pork butt on all sides with the rub.
- Let it sit overnight in the fridge so the rub penetrates the meat.
3. Estimate Total Smoking Time
- Weigh pork butt and calculate approx. 1.5 hours per lb at 225°F.
- Add 1-2 hour buffer to be safe.
- Plan for 1-2 hours rest time after smoking.
4. Set Up Your Smoker
- Target 225-250°F smoker temp. Add more fuel/wood as needed.
- Use wood like hickory, oak, apple, pecan, or a blend.
- Add water pan if desired to help regulate heat.
5. Smoke the Pork Butt
- Place pork butt fat side up, let smoke for first 4-6 hours.
- Spritz with apple juice/cider vinegar every 45-60 min if desired.
- Wrap at 160°F stall in butcher paper to power through.
- Smoke until 205°F internal temp.
6. Rest and Pull
- Wrap in towels and rest in a cooler for 1-2 hours.
- Pork will pull easily when cooled.
- Pull, chop, and serve!
Follow the 1.5 hour per pound estimate, but always cook to temperature not time. Properly smoking a pork butt requires patience and practice. But the rewards of incredible pulled pork make it worth it!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long per pound at 250°F?
At 250°F, estimate around 1.25 hours per lb. So an 8 lb butt will take around 10 hours at 250°F vs. 12 hours at 225°F.
Should you wrap pork butt in foil?
Wrapping at the stall speeds up cooking. But you lose bark. Optional but can be helpful for larger cuts.
How long to smoke boneless pork butt?
Boneless cooks a little faster. Estimate around 1.25-1.5 hours per lb for boneless.
What if it finishes early or late?
Cook to 205°F internal temp regardless of time estimates. Rest leftovers in a cooler.
Best wood for smoking pork butt?
Oak and hickory give great flavor. Apple or cherry provide milder, sweeter smoke. Use a blend.
Key Takeaways
- Estimate about 1.5 hours per pound when smoking pork butt at 225°F.
- Cook time varies based on many factors – monitor temperature and tenderness.
- Cook until 205°F internal temp for perfect pulling.
- Let rest 1-2 hours wrapped in towels inside a cooler before pulling.
- Take detailed notes each smoke to learn your smoker’s quirks.
The 1.5 hours per pound guideline provides a helpful starting point for estimating pork butt smoking times. But always allow some buffer room in your cook timeline. Pork butts often finish earlier or later than anticipated. With practice, you’ll master exactly how long it takes to smoke pork butt to juicy, tender perfection in your own smoker.