How Long to Smoke Ham (fresh)

A smoky holiday ham. Get the cook time and the temp to pull it.

Updated June 2026

How long will it take?

Weight (lbs)

Smoker temp

Estimated cook: —

Pull at 145°F internal. Add 1–2 hours of buffer for the stall + a rest before serving.

Gear for the cook

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Pellet smokersset-and-forget temps Wireless meat thermometercook to temp, not clock Smoking wood pelletsrestock flavors BBQ rubs (variety)flavor Butcher paperbeat the stall Nitrile BBQ gloveshandle + shred

Smoking ham (fresh): the short answer

Plan for about 30 minutes per pound at 250F, roughly 4 hours for a typical 8 lb cut. Pull it at 145F internal. Fresh ham: pull at 145F. Pre-cooked ham just needs reheating to 140F with a glaze.

Pro tip

Fresh ham: pull at 145F. Pre-cooked ham just needs reheating to 140F with a glaze.

Cook to temp, not time

Every smoke is different. A good wireless thermometer is the single best upgrade for consistent BBQ: set the target temp and cook until it hits.

FAQ

How long does it take to smoke ham (fresh)?

About 30 minutes per pound at 250F, roughly 4 hours for 8 lbs, but always finish by internal temperature (~145F).

What temp do you pull ham (fresh)?

Pull ham (fresh) at about 145F internal, then rest before serving. Fresh ham: pull at 145F. Pre-cooked ham just needs reheating to 140F with a glaze.

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