First Butt...Little Worried

Sounds like it is right on track. You can turn the heat up to max if you want. 16-20 hours is about right for an 8 pounder. I have had them go 25 hours to 205.

Enjoy!

Hi Jim,
I just did a 7 lb butt Sat. nite. Pulled it at 195 after 18 1/2 hrs. I believe your temp. at 179 after 12.5 is very normal. You just now came out of the plataeu and the temp should start to rise quicker from now on. The only problem you have is it may not reach 195 until midnight or 1 o'clock. Not sure which smoker you have but if it is a 008 or 009, turn it up to the 250 degree temp.

Good luck. The butt is fine and will be done when it's done.

Preheat your house oven to 300*-325*,double wrap the butt in foil with 1/2 cup of apple juice,it will hit 190*+,pretty quick.

At this point heat is your friend.

Let set 20 mins and pull it.

Have another cold drink and a late dinner.

Hope this helps a little.

Yep. I kept with it and it seems the temp is rising faster. Should be done by 10 or 10:30.

Need some more help for this newbie
http://forum.cookshack.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/4091028883/m/8781036834

Cajun Jim,

Sounds like it is on track. I just did an 8 lb butt at 225 for the duration and it took 15 hrs to 185. I started mine at 10 the evening before. if you start it at 200 overnight and jack it up to about 230 early the next morning it will take about 20 hrs. This slow cook melts all the fat and makes it very tender.