Deep-frying a large piece of meat can produce an unusually tasty and juicy meal. Unfortunately, it can also produce a catastrophic fireball if the oil ignites, which is why it can be preferable to work with a so-called oilless fryer. These efficient cookers use infrared radiation -- a form of high-energy light -- to cook the meat and produce a crisp exterior similar to the one you'd get from frying. Although originally developed for "fried" turkeys, they also work well for cooking large cuts such as a Boston butt.

Trim the external fat on your pork butt to no more than 1/4 inch of thickness. Score it in a crosshatch pattern, if you wish, by making shallow cuts with a sharp knife. Don't cut through the fat and into the pork itself, or its juices will cook out.

Rub the Boston butt with your favorite dry seasoning spice mixture and let it rest overnight so the flavors have time to infuse into the meat.

Place the butt into the oilless fryer's basket. If your cooker came with a probe thermometer, insert the probe into the middle of the butt. Otherwise, use a standalone probe thermometer.

Turn on the gas and light your oilless fryer, then begin timing. Meats typically require approximately 10 minutes per pound, though it can be longer if you're cooking on a very cold day. The butt is safe to eat as roast pork when it reaches an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit, or 160 F for diners who aren't comfortable with pink pork.

Continue cooking the butt to 180 F, if you prefer to eat your butt in the form of pulled or shredded pork. Lift out the basket at that point, if you wish, and paint the butt with your favorite barbecue sauce. Give it a few more minutes for the sauce to caramelize, then remove it from the cooker.

Test the pork butt under a loose covering of aluminum foil for 10 to 15 minutes before carving or shredding it.