bbqjunkie.comBBQ Tool
Smoke Time Calculator
Estimate how long your smoke will take. Pick the meat, enter the weight, and get cook time, fuel needs, and a start-time countdown.
What are you smoking?
Beef
Pork
Poultry
Weight (lbs)typical: 8–20 lbs
lbs
Smoker temperature
Fuel type(optional)
When do you want to eat?
:
Your Cook Plan
Brisket (Whole Packer) · 14 lbs · 245–255°F
14:30
Total Hrs
11:30 PM
Start Smoking
203°F
Pull Temp
14 hrs 30 min – 18 hrs 30 min total · cook 14 hrs–17 hrs 30 min · rest 30–60 min
Timeline
Start smoking11:30 PM
Expected done1:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Eat at6:00 PM
Start early. It’s better to finish early and rest longer than to rush.
Temperature Targets
Pull & done temp203°F
Fuel Estimate
42–53 lbsLump Charcoal
Burns hotter, less ash. Inconsistent sizing.
This cook could run 15+ hours. Plan your fuel, sleep, and monitoring accordingly. Consider an overnight start.
Cook Notes
- Expect the stall around hour 6–7, when the internal temp hits 150–170°F. Don't panic — it can last 2-4 hours.
- Wrap in butcher paper at 165°F to push through the stall.
- Probe for tenderness, not just temp — should slide in like butter.
Fire Up the Pit