SmoQ BBQ

If you have been thinking what’s so good about smoked meat, it is high time you try it yourself! The flavor of smoked meat takes you all the way back to the history of mankind when people used salting and smoking for meat preservation.

The concept of burning and roasting meat was also popular when it came to consuming meals.

Smoked meat is a highly popular cosine in today’s time and ninety-percent of the non-vegetarian crowd adores worldwide. Smoked meats give out more flavor and essence than ever before and can be enjoyed with some simple seasoning.

Listed and briefly demonstrated further are some of the safe, easy and classic best meats to smoke for beginners.

How to Select the Right Meat to Smoke?

The first aspect that you will need to consider is the texture and quality of the meat. The hard and chewy ones will not make good options for grill, barbecue or smoke as they will demand an intensive process of preparing and heating.

So the softer cuts are always the better options. The next thing, you can consider are the smoking equipment that your kitchen has. Not all equipment is appropriate for all meat types. Try to do a bit of research on the food smokers based on the fuel types to choose the best meat for your smoker.

#1 Whole Chicken

Chicken is one of the most suitable meats that almost everyone is comfortable to cook and would be one of the best meats to smoke for beginners.

You will not need many ingredients to prepare the meat for smoking as is a comparatively softer meat category. Just some amount of olive oil, pepper and garlic salt will do the magic.

Make sure that you set the temperature on 250 degrees. Smoked chicken can make a great recipe and can even be consumed by the elderly crowd and kids. It contains less amount of saturated fat and cholesterol compared to the other types of meat and tastes amazing after it is prepared.

Every Way to Cook a Whole Chicken (24 Methods) 

#2 Pork shoulder

When it comes to smoking meats, pork shoulder can again be considered as a great option. So, there are two cuts of pork shoulder which includes the Picnic shoulder and the Boston butt and both of them are quite popular.

They are easily available in the market but the Boston shoulder is a little pricier than the other one.

This is because you can simply unpack the Boston shoulder and slide into the smoker with the preferred coating or dressing.

The picnic shoulder might require some amount of trimming before getting into the smoker. Pork might take a little bit more time to get completely smoked compared to chicken but it is the second favorite meat that is suitable for roasting.

The average temperature for smoking pork is 250 degrees but can go higher if needed. Make sure the internal temperature ranges up to 165 degrees.

Ultimate Modernist BBQ Pork Shoulder

#3 Chuck Roast

It is a comparatively inexpensive meat but can turn out to be extremely tasteful if cooked and prepared properly. One of the best methods of cooking it is smoking and it is simple and easy. It is a softer cut of meat the quality of which is perfect for smoking.

The average temperature for smoking it is 250 degrees while the internal degree needed is more or less 150. It will taste at its best if you give the meat the appropriate time to rest. For best results try wrapping it in a clean towel. You can do this for all the types of meats mentioned above.

The more you keep the meats to rest after smoking, the more enhanced the taste shall turn out, so save some patience to get the best results.

So, listed above were some of the easiest and best meats to smoke for beginners but you are definitely free to experiment with other options as well. It is best to try these from the list first and proceed with the rest of the meat categories.

You will have plenty of choices on the plate once you master the art of smoking meat appropriately. Not just the meat, also consider choosing the wood right for giving your dish a mouth-watering flavor!

Chuck Roast – Hot and Fast vs Low and Slow

Pork butt and pork shoulders are misleading names and tend to be confusing, especially for new cooks. Pork butt is a cut of meat not from the pig’s rear, and the pork shoulder isn’t the whole of the pig’s shoulder but a section. Both cuts come from the shoulder with the pork butt.

So, who’s in charge of naming these cuts confusingly? Well, he must enjoy seeing people at sixes and sevens. As relatively fatty and tough cuts, these two cuts from the pig’s shoulder benefits forms long, slow cooking methods like braising, stewing, and roasting.

However, these cuts are not the same, and the pork butt is often preferred and here’s why:

Pork Butt vs pork Shoulder – the Key Difference

Before discussing the difference between these two meat cuts, we must understand where they are cut from on the pig.

First, the butcher breaks down the carcass into large portions called primal cuts – with the pig’s front shoulder being one primal cut. This is separated and then split into pork shoulder and pork butt, which are two sub-primal cuts.

The pork butt lies above the shoulder blade of the pig and directly behind its head. While this cut is called a pork butt, it’s actually from the front and not the animal’s hindquarters. The shoulder, or sometimes called picnic shoulder, is located directly below the pig’s butt on the leg and runs down just above the hock, hoof, or front of the animal.

Quick Comparison

Common names

Pork Butt: Boston butt

Pork Shoulder: Picnic roast, Picnic shoulder

Characteristics

Pork Butt: well-marbled with an ample amount of intramuscular fat

Pork Shoulder: slight tough except it’s properly cooked due to less fat

Shape

Pork Butt: Even rectangular shape

Pork Shoulder: Triangular-shaped

Best for

Pork Butt: Pulled pork

Pork Shoulder: Pork roast with crackling

Now, you know that both pork shoulder and pork butt come from the animal’s front leg. Although both come from the same area, they have different amounts of fat marbling and toughness.

Understanding the differences between pork shoulder and pork butt will make purchasing your pork from the butcher hassle-free. Besides, you know which cut to go for, for a particular recipe.

Pork Butt

As said earlier, the pork butt comes from the upper part of the animal’s shoulder blade, which sits directly behind the pig’s head. This cut is well-marbled with quality intramuscular fat since the animal does not overly utilize the area’s muscles.

Thus, the pork butt is a tender, flavorful piece of meat compared to the other subprimal cut – pork shoulder. This cut is usually sold with the flat cap and the shoulder blade bone still in it. Therefore, this cut is suitable for low ‘n’ slow cooking like braising or smoking.

The aftermath of low ‘n’ slow cooking coughs up the internal fat to ensure a flavorful, juicy pulled pork. There are other ways of preparing a pork butt, aside from the popular low ‘n’ slow cooking.

If you’ve your butcher cut the Boston butt into pork steaks or shaved thin, then you can grill or stir fry. This sub-primal cut has a top meat-to-fat ratio of 70/30 or 80/20 for meat grinding and sausage making.

Pork butt shouldn’t be hard to come by; just visit any good butcher with a high-quality source.

Pork Shoulder

Just below the pork butt is a smaller cut called the picnic ham, or commonly known as pork shoulder. When the hock or the upper part of the leg is attached to this cut of meat, it’s called picnic shoulder or picnic ham. Nonetheless, the skin is always attached to the pork.

Unlike the Boston butt, this meat from the leg muscles is overly utilized. Thus, it’s best to cook until the internal temperature attains 195 degrees F for tender results. Similarly, the pork shoulder is a decent choice for pulled pork. With this much smaller cut, you might have to remove the skin and adjust the cooking time.

Although the pork shoulder is tougher than the Boston butt and might not be ideal for cutting into steaks, this cut is good to make a roast and much more than for pulling. That’s not all: coming with skin attached allows you to make crispy pork carnitas with the picnic ham. The skin allows you to blast the heat just about the end of the cook for crispier results.

Pork Butt – Best Use

Due to the uniform shape and fat marbling of the Boston butt, this cut is ideal for just about all low ‘n’ slow-cooking methods. Smoking, roasting, stewing, or braising are other ways to prepare the Boston butt. Regardless, the end results will be pull-apart-tender meat.

Usually, when the pork shoulder meat (primal cut) is mentioned, we recommend using the Boston butt since it’s well-marbled and tender than the pork shoulder or picnic shoulder.

Pork Shoulder – Best Use

The pork shoulder usually comes with the skin on, making it ideal for recipes requiring crackling or crispy pork skins. The best way to prepare the pork shoulder is low ‘n’ slow cooking, especially recipes calling for a high-heat finish or reverse sear to attain the desired finish texture. Pork shoulder is ideal for whole roast, char siu, and carnitas.

Pork Shoulder vs Pork Butt, Which One is Better? SmoQ BBQ Pork You Crave

Things to Consider for When Purchasing Pork Shoulder

Any primal cut of pork shoulder labelled as “enhanced” with salt, phosphates, water, etc should be skipped – why? They are usually injected with brines, which means you are probably paying for water.

Also, consider well-marbled with incredible amounts of fat running through the muscle without a wet package. Keep in mind that it might smell a tad funky. This is totally normal with large meat cuts. Also, opt for heritage breeds such as Duroc and Berkshire when possible. These heritage breeds are bred not for size but flavour, which means they are well-marbled compared to other breeds.

Conclusion

Pork shoulder and pork butt are both good pieces of meat to make a plethora of dishes. However, your desired outcome and recipe should determine the type of cut to purchase.

If you want to purchase a rich, well-marbled cut of meat, your best bet is the pork butt. But if the recipe requires a crispy skin, the pork shoulder is always a good choice.

We hope this post has answered some questions regarding Boston butt and pork shoulder and how to pick the right one.

Thermoworks is a brand that is well established in Utah. They are known for manufacturing quality thermometers within a wide range of budgets for all kinds of users. Thermapan and Thermopop are two of their popular models on the market.

Inaccurate temperature reading can disrupt your entire grilling experience, leaving you with overcooked or undercooked steaks. A little delay can cause more harm than good when it comes to grilling or BBQ. External thermometers read temperature faster and accurately than most built-in grill thermometers.

There are many gadgets for checking temperature from Thermoworks, but there are two unique thermometers that stand out from its collections. Here is a comprehensive review of Thermapen vs Thermopop. Without further ado, let’s look at the four best thermometers from both Thermoworks and other brands.

Thermapen

Thermapen is one of the best thermometers manufactured by Thermoworks thus far. It tops the list of their thermometer collections with its durability and precision. Thermapen is mainly used for commercial purposes because of the high price point. It employs an accurate thermocouple sensor technology that provides you with instant temperature readings in a second.

Every thermapen thermometer has a calibration certificate and is designed to last for years. It features a long large handle like that of a knife and a long foldable probe sticking from one end, which is inserted into your steak to take the reading. This instant thermometer is easy to handle by both left-handed and right-handed users. It comes in more than ten colour options and can be held from any angle when reading temperature.

One distinctive feature about the thermapen is that once you touch it, it switches on automatically, and once you set it down, it goes off.

Thermopop

Thermopop is for home use and comes at a lower price point for users who want to spend less. This is the first pocket thermometer design with a display that easily gyrates to take temp from all angles. It uses thermistor sensor technology and reads the temperature in both Fahrenheit and Celsius.

This type of thermometer is splash-proof, inexpensive, portable, and is ideal for ambidextrous users. The thermopop is a lollipop-like thermometer that juts out a long probe with a screen that rotates automatically, making it easy to read out the temperature from any angle. The temperature range of thermopop falls between -58 to 570 degrees Fahrenheit.

With a single push button, this device starts to function, and the LCD screen rotates in an increment of 90-degree before the read-out. Thermopop takes up to 4 seconds before reading out the temperature of your food. It comes in a wide range of colors: white, green, red, yellow, blue, black, pink, orange, and purple.

Thermapen Vs Thermopop

Aside from the noticeable differences between Thermapen and Thermopop; the price, structure and other things that set these two thermometers apart.

Although both thermometers are designed and manufactured by Thermoworks, they are different in more than one way. Here is a compilation of the differences between Thermapen vs Thermopop.

Price

People often wondered and asked why the price tag of Thermapen is so outrageous when Thermopop, which is of a lesser price, can perform the same function. The difference in price between these two thermometers is over $50, which is quite huge. This is as a result of the technology employed and how fast they read out temperature.

Design

The Thermapen has a unique structure that offers a secure grip, preventing the gadget from slipping off when in use. On the other hand, Thermapop has a balloon shape and a thin probe that is inserted into foods to check the internal temperature.

You can tell from the construction of both devices that Thermapen was built with the user’s comfort in mind. It is suitable for people with large hands, offering them a clear view of the LCD screen even as they hold the thermometer. Unlike the balloon-shaped Thermopop, you can easily slip off your hand if not properly gripped and too small for big hands.

Speed

One of the main differences between these two models is the speed. Although minimal, it matters a whole lot. The response time of a Thermapen is instant and within an average of 2 to 3 seconds. On the other hand, a Thermopop takes 3 to 4 seconds to read your food’s temperature.

Precision

Accuracy without delay is very vital when using a thermometer. Thermapen reads the temperature faster and accurately when compared with Thermopop. It is an instant-read thermometer that provides you with the exact temperature at one reading. Contrary to the Thermopop model that needs to be read twice on some occasions for accuracy. And, sometimes, when you read the temperature of your food with a Thermopop twice, you get different results. The accuracy of a Thermapen shows  ±0.7°F (±0.4°C), and that of the Thermapop shows ±2°F to 248°F.

Ignition

When using Thermapen, you don’t have to press any button for it to come on. All you have to do is pull out the probe; then it starts working. It features a sensor that interprets motion and reacts to it promptly. Once you pick the thermometer, it comes on, and when you drop it, it goes off. But with Thermopop, you have to press a button to wake and sleep the device.

Water-resistant vs Splash-resistant

Thermapen can be submerged in water for up to half an hour without getting spoiled. On the other hand, Thermopop is only resistant to a little splash of water.

Thermapen can be fixed when damaged, but Thermopop cannot be repaired once it gets damaged.

Why America’s Test Kitchen Calls the Thermoworks Thermopop the Best Inexpensive Digital Thermometer

Thermapen Vs Thermopop- Reviews of Top 4 Best BBQ Thermometer 2020

1. ThermoPro TP20 Wireless Remote Digital Cooking Food Meat Thermometer

ThermoPro TP20 allows you to have total control over your grill temperature as far as 300 ft away from the cooking area. Distance is not an impediment when you use this hands-off monitor. This thermometer can be used to monitor two pieces of beef or just one cooking temperature and meat simultaneously.

The probes are of reasonable length, which enables you to dip into large cuts of meat. Plus, the timer indicates both the count up time and the countdown time on the LCD with a maximum time of 1 hour, 39 minutes 59 seconds. The box includes four AAA batteries, an instruction manual on how to use it, a wireless receiver, a transmitter, a rubber sleeve for the receiver, a probe clip, and two probes.

The LCD screen has a backlit that automatically turns on in a place that is poorly illuminated. The probe wires can resist temp up to 716 degrees Fahrenheit. This thermostat allows you to take a continuous reading, which requires a few seconds to read-out. It has preprogrammed temperatures for nine different types of meat and five doneness levels approved by USDA.

 Pros:

Three years warranty

Dual probes

Presets with USDA approved temperatures

Countdown and count up timer

Cons:

The ports are not labelled

2. Fluke – FLUKE-561 561 HVAC Pro Infrared Thermometer

Here is a thermostat that effectively inspects small objects and large areas, even when you are not within a close range. It measures all kinds of appliances, such as insulation, corroded connections, pipes, radiant heating, motors, and more. This versatile thermostat saves you enough money as it replaces several other appliances in your workplace or home.

Fluke 561 measures temperatures ranging from -40 to 1022 degrees Fahrenheit. It allows you to take ambient measurements with its IR ability and contact temperature with its K-type thermocouple capability. It includes a Velcro pipe probe and is compatible with any standard K-type mini connectors. The laser sighting guide features a single dot that directs the measurement to the right object. It operates on 2AA batteries and has an inbuilt probe.

This two in one thermostat helps you identify and rectify problems with its Min, Max, and Dif functions. It features a digital screen that is easy to interpret and read. This is an ideal choice for HVAC, electrical, industrial, and mechanical purposes. The flexible probe pipe allows you to measure internal or superheat temperatures.

Pros:

Withstand tough environment

Laser sighting guide

A highly versatile thermometer

Suitable for large surfaces

Cons:

Expensive

3. ThermoPro TP08S Wireless Digital Meat Thermometer

The probes are constructed with food-grade stainless steel with a design and length that allow you to dip the pointed tip into any size of meat cuts. This thermometer is powered by two AA batteries. The temperature or doneness level can be read from 300 ft away from the grill, allowing you to engage in other activities around the cooking area. It also includes an alarm that goes off when the meat is ready.

The transmitter has an LCD screen that indicates the current temperature of the dual probes separately and concurrently. The setting up of the thermostat is quite simple with the buttons on the receiver. It comes with a wide temperature range between 32 to 572 degrees Fahrenheit but can resist heat up to 712 degrees Fahrenheit.

You can keep your oven within a specific temperature range by setting a minimum and a maximum temperature. Plus, a warning notifies you if you lose connection with the receiver and when the temp goes below the customized temperature. The probe accuracy is fixed at 1. 8°f, which is higher than other models.

Pros:

Wireless meat thermometer

Long probes

Backlight LCD display

Lost link alarm

Cons:

Doesn’t work with a mobile app

4. NutriChef Smart Bluetooth BBQ Grill Thermometer

Are you in search of a thermometer that you can use to multi cook perfectly grilled steaks for your guests with diverse doneness levels? This is an ideal thermometer that suits your need and is cost-effective. Once the Bluetooth is switched on, it provides you with notifications on any temperature adjustment.

Nutrichef smart Bluetooth thermometer is a budget-priced Bluetooth wireless thermometer that comes with amazing features. The Bluetooth connectivity is regulated through a bbq mobile app that allows for an indoor range of 100 ft and an outdoor range of 200 ft. The app shows real-time temperature and also allows you to view the previous temperatures used for grilling.

This model offers you total control over six different cuts of meat simultaneously. Two colour-coded probes are contained in the set, and four extra probes can be added to make it a total of 6.

The heavy-duty probes can be inserted into the meat as it cooks, and it resists high heat up to 482 degrees Fahrenheit. The stainless steel wire cable handles up to 716 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pros:

Monitor 6 probes simultaneously

Works with a smartphone app

Colour coded probes

App save up previous settings

Stainless steel probes withstand high heat

Cons:

The remote range covered is below most user’s expectations.

Conclusion

Anyone who loves to grill often will know how important it is to have a thermometer. Using either of these thermometers from Thermoworks to check your food’s doneness is far better than hanging around the grill or frequently opening the oven. We hope this article on Thermapen vs Thermopop has been able to answer the questions you have about these two thermometers.