Tender Pulled Pork

Directions

1. 1
   Set up your grill for an indirect heat method.
2. 2
   An insulated cooker such as The Akorn works well for this.
3. 3
   Simply create a small pile of charcoal (roughly pyramid or cone shaped) interspersed with large chunks of hard wood.
4. 4
   Place a fire starter under the top few pieces of charcoal and light.
5. 5
   Close the lid and fully open all the vents.
6. 6
   Give the charcoal 20 to 30 minutes to light.
7. 7
   Throttle the top and bottom vents to barely open and allow the temperature to settle into the desired cooking range.
8. 8
   This should take another 20 to 30 minutes.
9. 9
   For this cook, get the grill around 300 to 325 Fahrenheit.
10. 10
    This will reduce your cook time and give you a nice crust on the meat.
11. 11
    However, you will not get as much smoke flavor on the meat.
12. 12
    Note: The Akorn has a smoke stone accessory that works great at creating a barrier between the meat and the heat, plus you can put an aluminum pan on it to catch the meat drippings to make clean up easy.
13. 13
    Thoroughly combine all the dry ingredients.
14. 14
    Trim excess fat from the pork butt leaving about a quarter inch layer.
15. 15
    Rinse the butt with cold water and then pat dry with a paper towel.
16. 16
    The surface of the meat needs to be as dry as possible.
17. 17
    Coat the meat with a very light coating of olive oil to help the the dry rub stick to the meat.
18. 18
    Sprinkle the meat with the dry rub and spread the rub with your hands.
19. 19
    The meat should be completely coated with a thin layer of rub.
20. 20
    Put the meat on the grill.
21. 21
    Cook for 5 to 6 hours.
22. 22
    Resist the urge to open the grill to look at the meat.
23. 23
    Monitor the grill temperature.
24. 24
    Throttle the bottom vent as necessary to maintain between 300 to 325 Fahrenheit.
25. 25
    After about 5 hours check the meat.
26. 26
    The best method for telling if the meat is done or not is to poke the meat with a skewer.
27. 27
    If the skewer slides into the meat without any resistance (like cutting warm butter) the meat is done.
28. 28
    Be sure to check several locations on the butt as different parts cook at different rates.
29. 29
    Continuing cooking until done.
30. 30
    When done, remove the meat from the grill.
31. 31
    Set aside and lightly cover with foil and let rest for at least 30 minutes, preferably 1 hour.
32. 32
    After the meat has rested, remove the bone.
33. 33
    It should practically fall out on it's own.
34. 34
    Pull the meat into long strands.
35. 35
    Try not to eat all the crispy bits before you serve your family and guests.
36. 36
    For a little extra zing, sprinkle a small amount of the dry rub onto the pulled meat and mix.
37. 37
    A little bit goes a long way.
38. 38
    Serve and enjoy.