How to Make Pulled Pork Using a Meat Smoker

What is a Smoking

Smoking is a cooking process that uses smoke from wood to flavor meat

Is a type of slow cooking/low heat method

Benefits :

Added Flavor

Smoking generally yields more moist/tender meats

Key Components: Water Pan

Wood/Charcoal box

Racks

Identifying Parts of the Smoker

Types of meat to use

Boston butt (top)

Pork shoulder (bottom)

Seasoning and Flavoring

Dry Rubs

Uses only dry seasonings

Rub into every crevice in order to season the entire surface of the meat

Marinade

Can be done from 1 hour up to over night

Mopping :

Much like marinating, except done during the cooking process

Getting started: Adding the wood

What does the wood do ?

Adds a desired flavor

Types include apple wood, cherry wood, mesquite, oak, hickory etc.

Preparing the wood

Soak the wood for 20-40 minutes to prevent the wood from burning

too fast.

Placing the wood.

Carefully place the wood evenly in the bottom of the smoker

If using a smoker with a heating coil do not place wood against the coil

Getting started: Preparing the Smoker

Fill the water pan with water

Different smoker may have different size pans

Typically you should fill the pan within an inch of the top

Place the meat on the racks once the temperature is high enough

Temperature Should reach around 240-250 Fº

Now your Cooking: What to do

Mopping:

If you choose to brush your piece of meat while cooking, do it 3-4 times at even intervals

Adding extra water

Can be done halfway through cooking

Can pour water directly through the racks into the pan

Adding extra wood

If you desire more flavoring you can add more wood after the initial pieces have burned down

Caution: use thongs to prevent getting your hands too close to the heat source and being burned

Is dinner Ready Yet?

When is the meat done?

Meat should be pulling away from the bone easily

Generally cook time will be 1 to 1.5 hours per pound of meat

Internal Temperature should be 175Fº

Meat thermometer should be inserted into the middle of the meat without touching bone

Dinner time: pulling the meat

How to pull the meat:

1. Pull the bone from the center of the meat. The meat should pull easily from the bone

2. Use a large fork or spatula and pull at the meat to mince it up

Serving Suggestions:

Sandwiches

As a platter with sides