4 Packers on the XL

hoofaloos

Alright folks.  Doing these thursday night for an event at the kids' school on Friday evening.  4-12# pretrimmed packers.  Just tested for fit and all 4 will fit but just barely.  I'll post pics of the setup once I start the cook.  Top rack will have a bit of overhang but will hang over the bottom packers so it shouldn't be an issue.  I'll place some drip foil ball elevated pans beneath and foil any exposed or thinner parts to prevent overcooking and drying out.

My question is this...does anyone think I need to account for a longer overall cook time since it is larger quantity of meat?  I know that each one can finish differently etc but anyone think I need to account for more than 18 hours in a worse case scenario?  Almost every brisket I've ever cooked has been in the 12-16 hour range.  I've done a packer and a butt together and the times for each stayed consistent with every other time i've done them separately.  Any insight is appreciated.  

NPHuskerFL

Time should remain consistent with regular one at a time. When the cook begins it may take a bit longer to reach desired pit temp only due to the initial thermal shock of cold product. Once the pit temp balances back out it'll be similar to any other cook. I've done 2 & 3 packers on my LG with no issue in regards to "time". Each cut will finish at different rates just like anything you'll want to go off of feel and IT. Good luck. 

hoofaloos

Thx, Husker

Thatgrimguy

I disagree. When I have loaded up my XL with meat the time is about 25% longer than a single piece of meat. I have done 4-6 butts a number of times and it's always a few hours longer than a single or 2 butts would be. Maybe it has to do with airflow, but I imagine it will take longer.

NPHuskerFL

@Thatgrimguy I saw the OP "specifically" said XL. I was just giving my experience with similar circumstances using the LG which other than thermal mass shouldn't technically be any different..... Maybe the initial thermal shock takes longer to recover on the XL  

Thatgrimguy

NPHuskerFL said:

@Thatgrimguy I saw the OP "specifically" said XL. I was just giving my experience with similar circumstances using the LG which other than thermal mass shouldn't technically be any different..... Maybe the initial thermal shock takes longer to recover on the XL  

Maybe, I don't know. Maybe the butts were touching each other more than brisket would

Tinyfish

When you put the briskets on compress each briskets so it has a smaller foot print.