Judy Mayberry,I cook mine the way Thirdeye has stated, but I also think cooking time has to do with the density (fat content) of the meat. My fatties cook at 230-250 and I have had some done in as little as 1 1/2 hours but most take 2 1/2 -3 hours. I use whatever is on sale plus some sausage/ground beef combo I buy from a butcher shop...they are all delicious...Kim Youngblood (aka vidalia1)