Beef Brisket
Pork Butt / Shoulder
Baby Back Ribs
Spare Ribs
Whole Chicken
Whole Turkey
Prime Rib
Smoking Estimates:
Estimated Cook Time:
Target Internal Temp:
Estimated Ready Time:
Recommended Rest Time:
*Note: Every piece of meat is different. Use a probe thermometer for accuracy.*
How to Use the Meat Smoking Calculator
Achieving the perfect bark and tender interior requires more than just luck; it requires timing. Our meat smoking calculator helps you plan your day by estimating how long your specific cut of meat will take to reach pitmaster perfection. Whether you are prepping a massive 15lb packer brisket or a few racks of baby back ribs, this tool provides a baseline for your cook.
Key Variables in BBQ Timing
Meat Density and Fat Content: A fatty brisket takes longer to render than a lean turkey.
The "Stall": For large cuts like pork shoulder and brisket, the evaporation of moisture causes the internal temperature to plateau (usually around 160°F). This can add hours to your cook.
Ambient Temperature: Cold or windy days will make your smoker work harder and potentially increase cook times.
Internal Temperature Guide
Meat Type
Target Internal Temp
Beef Brisket
203°F (95°C)
Pork Shoulder
205°F (96°C)
Whole Chicken
165°F (74°C)
Ribs
Flex Test / ~200°F
The Importance of Resting
Never slice your meat immediately after taking it off the smoker. For large cuts like brisket and pork butt, we recommend resting for at least 60 minutes in a cooler (Faux Cambro). This allows the muscle fibers to relax and reabsorb the juices, ensuring every slice is moist and tender. Smaller meats like chicken or ribs should rest for at least 15-20 minutes.
function calculateSmokeTime() {
var meat = document.getElementById("meatType").value;
var weight = parseFloat(document.getElementById("meatWeight").value);
var temp = parseFloat(document.getElementById("smokerTemp").value);
var startTime = document.getElementById("startTime").value;
if (isNaN(weight) || weight = 275) {
tempModifier = 0.75;
} else if (temp >= 250) {
tempModifier = 0.85;
}
switch (meat) {
case "brisket":
hoursPerLb = 1.5;
internalTemp = "203°F (95°C)";
restTime = "1 – 2 Hours";
break;
case "pork_butt":
hoursPerLb = 1.6;
internalTemp = "205°F (96°C)";
restTime = "45 – 60 Minutes";
break;
case "ribs_baby":
fixedTime = 5;
internalTemp = "195-200°F (The Bend Test)";
restTime = "15 Minutes";
break;
case "ribs_spare":
fixedTime = 6;
internalTemp = "195-200°F (The Bend Test)";
restTime = "15 Minutes";
break;
case "chicken_whole":
hoursPerLb = 0.75;
internalTemp = "165°F (74°C)";
restTime = "20 Minutes";
break;
case "turkey":
hoursPerLb = 0.5; // Smoked turkeys cook faster than roasted
internalTemp = "165°F (74°C)";
restTime = "30 – 45 Minutes";
break;
case "prime_rib":
hoursPerLb = 0.35;
internalTemp = "130°F (54°C) for Medium Rare";
restTime = "30 Minutes";
break;
}
var totalHours = 0;
if (fixedTime > 0) {
totalHours = fixedTime * tempModifier;
} else {
totalHours = (weight * hoursPerLb) * tempModifier;
}
// Convert decimal hours to hours and minutes
var h = Math.floor(totalHours);
var m = Math.round((totalHours – h) * 60);
document.getElementById("resTotalTime").innerText = h + " hours and " + m + " minutes";
document.getElementById("resInternal").innerText = internalTemp;
document.getElementById("resRest").innerText = restTime;
// Calculate Finish Time
if (startTime) {
var startParts = startTime.split(':');
var startDate = new Date();
startDate.setHours(parseInt(startParts[0]), parseInt(startParts[1]), 0);
var finishDate = new Date(startDate.getTime() + totalHours * 60 * 60 * 1000);
var fH = finishDate.getHours();
var fM = finishDate.getMinutes();
var ampm = fH >= 12 ? 'PM' : 'AM';
fH = fH % 12;
fH = fH ? fH : 12;
fM = fM < 10 ? '0' + fM : fM;
var finishString = fH + ':' + fM + ' ' + ampm;
if (finishDate.getDate() !== startDate.getDate()) {
finishString += " (Next Day)";
}
document.getElementById("resFinishTime").innerText = finishString;
} else {
document.getElementById("resFinishTime").innerText = "Enter start time to calculate";
}
document.getElementById("smokeResult").style.display = "block";
}