logan_mitchell•1mo agoProlific Poster

The debate over fat side up vs down on a pork shoulder

I used to be a fat side up guy for like 3 years, figured the fat would baste the meat as it cooked. Then this old pitmaster at a competition in Kansas City told me I was wasting my time and that fat side down protects the meat from the heat of the fire. So I switched to fat side down last summer and honestly, the bark came out way better. But now I'm wondering if that's just true for offset smokers or if it applies to pellet grills too. Some folks swear the fat rendering keeps things moist on top, but I never noticed much difference. What side do you guys go with on a pork shoulder and does your cooker type change your mind?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_brian1mo ago

Wait, a pitmaster told you that fat side down protects from the fire?

harper9141mo ago

Did that pitmaster say why he thought pellet grills were different?

charles_young921mo ago

My buddy tried the fat side down thing on his Traeger last weekend and @harper914, he said the bottom got all soggy and never crisped up right lol.