Smoking a pork shoulder on a Traeger grill usually entails estimating cooking time primarily based on weight and desired inside temperature. A instrument, sometimes called a time calculator, assists with this estimation by contemplating these components and typically others like ambient temperature and desired doneness (pulled pork versus a extra conventional roast). For instance, a calculator may recommend {that a} 10-pound pork shoulder cooked at 225F would require roughly 18-22 hours to succeed in an inside temperature of 203F for pulled pork.
Correct cooking time estimations are essential for meals security and reaching desired outcomes. Undercooked pork poses well being dangers, whereas overcooked pork can change into dry and hard. These calculators present a place to begin, serving to customers plan their cooking schedule and keep away from these pitfalls. Traditionally, pitmasters relied on expertise and instinct to guage cooking instances. Digital instruments present a extra constant method, notably helpful for novice people who smoke. This shift displays a broader pattern in cooking in the direction of data-driven precision.