Best Temperature for Smoking Pork Butt
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One of the most common questions in barbecue is simple:
What is the best temperature for smoking pork butt?
The short answer is this:
250 degrees is the sweet spot for most backyard cooks.
But let’s break it down properly so you understand why.
If you are new to pork butt entirely, start with my complete guide on how to smoke a pork butt from start to finish.
The Most Popular Smoking Temperatures
Most pitmasters cook pork butt between 225 and 275 degrees.
Each temperature works. The difference is how the meat behaves during the cook.
225 Degrees
Pros:
- Very traditional low and slow method
- Slightly more smoke exposure
- Gradual fat rendering
Cons:
- Longer cook time
- More stall time
- Greater chance of drying if airflow is poor
Best for: relaxed weekend cooks where time is not a concern.
250 Degrees
Pros:
- Excellent balance of time and tenderness
- Strong bark development
- Reliable fat rendering
- Shorter stall
Cons:
- Slightly less smoke exposure than 225
Best for: most cooks. This is the temperature many experienced backyard pitmasters prefer.
275 Degrees
Pros:
- Faster cook time
- Still produces great bark
- Cuts through the stall more quickly
Cons:
- Less margin for temperature swings
- Requires closer monitoring
Best for: time constrained cooks or experienced pitmasters.
Why 250 Degrees Is the Sweet Spot
At 250 degrees:
- Connective tissue breaks down efficiently
- Fat renders well
- Bark forms nicely
- Moisture retention stays strong
- Cook time is reasonable
It gives you forgiveness without dragging the cook out all day.
How Temperature Affects Cook Time
A general estimate for pork butt:
- 225 degrees: about 2 hours per pound
- 250 degrees: about 1.5 hours per pound
- 275 degrees: about 1 to 1.25 hours per pound
These are estimates, not guarantees.
Always cook to tenderness, not time.
If you are unsure how to test for doneness properly, read my guide on how to know when pork butt is done.
What About the Stall?
Pork butt will usually stall between 150 and 170 degrees internal temperature.
Lower cooking temperatures tend to make the stall last longer.
If you want a full breakdown of why the stall happens and what to do about it, see my guide on the pork butt stall explained.
Does Higher Temperature Ruin Pork Butt?
No.
Pork butt is forgiving because of its fat content and connective tissue.
Even cooking at 275 can produce excellent results if you monitor it properly.
Just avoid extreme heat. This is still low and slow barbecue, not roasting.
What About Smoking at 300 Degrees?
Some cooks push pork butt to 300 degrees to save time.
It can work, but it narrows your margin for error.
If you are curious about hotter cooks, see my detailed breakdown on smoking pork butt at 300 degrees.
Final Recommendation
If you want reliable results with great bark and tender pulled pork:
Set your smoker to 250 degrees.
It gives you consistency, flavor, and balance.
Once you understand temperature, the next step is understanding the stall and how to manage it.
Read my guide on the pork butt stall explained.
