Cooking · low & slow

Pork shoulder smoking time calculator

Plan pulled pork by weight — with the target internal temp and the stall built into your timing.

In short

An 8 lb pork shoulder at 225°F runs roughly 10–12 hours, plus a stall around 150–170°F. Pull it at 200–205°F when it shreds easily — the collagen has rendered.

Smoking plan

Estimate
Pull at internal200–205°F
Smoker temp225–250°F
Plan for (time)

About this estimate

Smoking is the method where the clock lies most: weather, smoker swings, and the stall all move the finish line. The time above is for planning your day — cook to the target internal temperature with a probe thermometer, and pull when it's probe-tender.

Smoking a different cut? Use the full smoking time calculator.

How long to smoke a pork shoulder?
About 1.5 hours per pound at 225°F, so an 8 lb shoulder is roughly 10–12 hours — plus the stall. Cook to temperature, not the clock.
What temperature for pulled pork?
200–205°F, when it pulls apart easily. Below about 195°F it won't shred cleanly.

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