Smoked Pork Butt Time Chart
110°C (225°F) or 135°C (275°F)
See Chart Below • Internal: 96°C (205°F)
Doneness Guide
| Level | Internal Temp | Cook Time | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kg at 110°C | 96°C (205°F) | 5–7 hrs smoke + 1 hr rest | Total: 6–8 hours. Weeknight friendly. |
| 2 kg at 135°C | 96°C (205°F) | 3.5–5 hrs smoke + 1 hr rest | Total: 4.5–6 hours. |
| 3 kg at 110°C | 96°C (205°F) | 8–10 hrs smoke + 1–2 hr rest | Total: 9–12 hours. |
| 3 kg at 135°C | 96°C (205°F) | 5.5–7 hrs smoke + 1–2 hr rest | Total: 6.5–9 hours. |
| 4 kg at 110°C | 96°C (205°F) | 10–14 hrs smoke + 1–2 hr rest | Total: 11–16 hours. Start early. |
| 4 kg at 135°C | 96°C (205°F) | 7–9 hrs smoke + 1–2 hr rest | Total: 8–11 hours. |
| 5 kg at 110°C | 96°C (205°F) | 13–17 hrs smoke + 1–2 hr rest | Total: 14–19 hours. Overnight cook. |
| 5 kg at 135°C | 96°C (205°F) | 9–12 hrs smoke + 1–2 hr rest | Total: 10–14 hours. |
| 6 kg at 110°C | 96°C (205°F) | 16–20 hrs smoke + 1–2 hr rest | Total: 17–22 hours. Plan ahead. |
| 6 kg at 135°C | 96°C (205°F) | 11–14 hrs smoke + 1–2 hr rest | Total: 12–16 hours. |
How to BBQ Smoked Pork Butt Time Chart
1
Choose bone-in pork butt for the best flavour. Apply rub generously the night before.
2
Set smoker to your chosen temperature and load with your preferred wood.
3
Place fat-side up on the grate. Insert probe into the thickest part, avoiding the bone.
4
Refer to the chart below for estimated cook times based on your pork butt weight.
5
Wrap in butcher paper at 74°C (165°F) internal to accelerate through the stall.
6
Cook until 96°C (205°F) and the bone wiggles freely.
7
Rest for 1–2 hours in a cooler, then pull with forks and mix in drippings.
Pro Tips
- Pork butt is the most forgiving large cut for smoking. Hard to mess up if you cook to temperature.
- The bone will slip out cleanly when the pork is perfectly done.
- Expect 30–40% weight loss from the raw weight. A 4kg pork butt yields about 2.5kg of pulled pork.
- One kg of pulled pork feeds approximately 4–5 people on rolls with sides.
- Freeze leftovers in 500g portions for easy pulled pork sandwiches any time.
Resting Time
Rest for 1–2 hours after removing from the BBQ. This allows juices to redistribute for a juicier result.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should pork butt rest after smoking?
1–2 hours in a cooler wrapped in towels is ideal. The meat will stay hot for up to 4 hours in a well-insulated cooler.
How much pulled pork per person?
Plan for about 200–250g of pulled pork per person (roughly 350–400g raw weight per person, accounting for shrinkage).
Can you overcook pork butt?
It's very difficult. Pork butt has so much fat and collagen that it stays moist even at higher temperatures. If anything, erring on the side of more cooking produces better pulled pork.