BBQ Smoking Time Calculator
Smoking times for brisket, pork butt, ribs and more, with start time.
About this tool
Choose the meat and smoker temperature, enter the weight and when you want to eat. The tool estimates the cook time range, the internal temperature to aim for, the rest, and the latest time to start smoking.
Planning a low-and-slow cook
Barbecue is done when it's tender, not at a set time, but planning still matters because big cuts can take all night. At 225 °F (107 °C), a packer brisket usually needs about 1 to 1.5 hours per pound, so 12–18 hours for a 12 lb brisket. Pork shoulder (butt) needs about 1.5–2 hours per pound. Ribs go by time rather than weight: about 5–6 hours for spare ribs and 4–5 for baby backs at 225 °F. Smoking at 250 °F cuts times by about 20%, and 'hot and fast' at 275 °F by about a third. Large cuts hit the stall around 150–170 °F, when evaporation from the surface holds the temperature flat for hours; wrapping in butcher paper or foil pushes through it. Brisket and pork shoulder are done when a probe slides in with almost no resistance, typically at 195–205 °F, followed by a long rest (an hour or more for brisket, wrapped in a cooler). Poultry must reach 165 °F in the breast. Enter your serving time to get a latest start time with a buffer, since finishing early and holding the meat is easy while finishing late isn't. Honest limits: smokers, weather, fuel and the meat itself vary a lot. Not food safety advice. The meat cooking time calculator and the party food calculator are related.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to smoke a brisket?
About 1 to 1.5 hours per pound at 225 °F, so 12 to 18 hours for a 12 lb brisket, plus resting.
What temperature is brisket done?
Usually 195 to 205 °F, when a probe slides in like butter.
What is the stall when smoking meat?
A long plateau around 150 to 170 °F caused by evaporative cooling; wrapping the meat helps push through it.
How long to smoke pork butt per pound?
About 1.5 to 2 hours per pound at 225 °F.
Is my data sent anywhere?
No. Everything is calculated in your browser, and nothing is stored or sent.