How Many Butts

With 40 people I would try to do at least three or four butts. After cooking and pulling the pork I get around a 50% yield of meat. I would also plan at least 1/2 pound per person if they are adults which means you should have about 40 pounds of raw butt. I suppose you could get by with less with a lot of salads or if there are a lot of children.

Almost every time I have cooked butt (250 dome temp) it takes around 14 to 16 hours cook time and you also need to allow 2 hours for resting and cooling. I would start them at 8 pm the night before. Also make sure you check on the temps throughout the night so you don't have an angry mob on your hands.

I have placed 2 butts (15lbs) on my medium on a single grate. Given the scope of your cook I think I would try to do 2 stacked grates with 4 or 5 butts.

Others may have better advice but this fits pretty close to my experiences.

If you only planning on serving Pork I would do at least four 8 pounders.

You could probably do three on the LGE but I have never tried it that way. You will have a good portion of your cook getting direct heat and therefore may get a little charred. Some one else could confirm this for you.

I don't think you are allowing yourself near enough time. There are two factors you have to consider.
1. You will restrict airflow with more meat which will mean they will cook slower in the beginning and as they shrink your temp will creep up some. So you will need t check them pretty regularly.

2. If the butts are touching they will act like one huge butt and therefore your 2 hour rule will apply to the entire weight. WIth the amount you are cooking it will be almost impossible to not some touching. Try to space them out and they will also shrink away from each other.

I have done a couple of big cooks and have had both cooks go around 20 hours. Maybe a little longer. So building your fire will be crucial.

I would allow for at least 24 hours. IF they finish sooner your ok. I have kept them in a cooler in foil for 5+ hours and they are still extremely hot when I pull them.

I asked a similar question earlier here are the responces I got,

[url=http://www.eggheadforum.com/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&func=view&id=449876&catid=1
l]linky linky [/url]

You can use the extended grid or an random grid with nuts and bolts on it to do two layers. or there is also other aftermarket rigs to accomplish the similar thing.

Just incase my hyper text is not right

http://www.eggheadforum.com/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&func=view&id=449876&catid=1