Meat temperature fluctuations

Not sure.. I don't watch my thermometer that close.. but, I'd guess if you had the probe in a fat pocket.. the fat might have reached a temp that allowed it to begin rendering. I believe this causes temp absorption to aid that process.

If I'm wrong.. others will straighten me out

I use Polders and have either not had that happen or have not noticed it! I don't moniter the temp that close either! Have to agree witrh Smokenque at this point. Good luck to ya!

It can happen,occasionally.

Many years ago,a small boneless butt,did this to me.

I probably was spending too much time monitoring the meat.

It's mostly likely the plateau. The collagen has to "give it up" in order to get soft, so the meat will rise and fall in that general range.

You're watching it toooooooo close if you see that.

Key is, how was the end result.

Remember, the is science in BBQ'ing as well as Art Not everything can be explained, so maybe there is Magic too

Thanks all! Yes, I think the "plateau" mentioned by smokinque helps explain it. I checked my readings by 1) opening up (reluctantly, reluctantly) and using a standard meat thermometer, 2) moving the probe over @ 1/2 inch and 3) changing the polder's batteries. The reading was accurate. We slid backward to 67 degrees until things started back upward. Now 15 hours into this cook (for mind you -two- pork butts totaling some 15.5 lbs) the temperature is back to 174 and rising. I'd like to learn more about this roasting "plateau". Is there a reference work that I could read about it in? Thanks

Go to FIND at page top,input plateau,open all forums.

Should give you all you can stand.

There isn't a solid reference that I know of.

It's just a process of low/slow smoking. Meats like Brisket and Pork Butts which have lots of connective tissue just won't get tender until the collagen breaks down. That's why you don't cook a Brisket to Medium Rare.

It's a general range, between 160 and 180 and varies by the cut, the animal, % of various meats/fats, etc.

Key is to worry about the total time for the smoke. The plateau just figures into the overall time. It's there, it will always be there and it's just part of Q'in