starting two pork butts 7# and 9#'s

zitdoc

I am planning my first pork butt's tomorrow morning for the Super Bowl.  They are around 7 and 9 lbs a piece and they are currently resting in a rub that I made from a reciept from BGE web site.  New to the green egg and loving it.  A few questions if anyone reads this.

1)  Should I inject the butts or let the awesome flavor stand alone.

2)  I am planning on cooking them at 250-275 starting around 3-4am.  I need to pull them off the grill for around 5pm and would like to FTC them for at least an hour.  Am I starting too late for this much meat.  I have read that since they are separate butts, the time should average around 1.5-2 hours/pound.  Am I doomed to feed my guest poorly cooked and possibly tainted raw pork or is this alright.  I would like to reach approx 195-205 degrees before I FTC.

3)  I planned on using apple and hickory wood chips.  Do I need to add any apple juice to the drip pan.  I see some people adding fluids of various types but most of the posts state that this just slows down the cook times and does nothing.  I also have seen people adding salt to the pan but I have no idea why.

Appreciate any help and support.  Go Broncos.

GA_Dawgs

I am doing the same thing right now with the same weight butts. I do not inject and I do not use a drip pan. I put my butts in at 8 at about 250 and they should be done tomorrow am. Once they are done I will FTC until guests get here. I would rather have them done early and held than have guests have to wait for it to be done. Just get the egg up to temp, wait for the smoke to go clear and pop the butts on. It will come out great!

zitdoc

I have an absolute man crush on the BGE.  Never done butts before.  Not sure I will inject either.  Have not been impressed with the comments from other posts.  I will try to figure out how to post picks throughout the process if possible.

GA_Dawgs

Keep us updated. I have done a lot of butts on the butt and they are one of the most forgiving cooks that can be done.

lousubcap

With two butts, you could inject one and not the other and see if there is a difference when consumed.  FWIW-

zitdoc

I thought about injecting one but didn't get to grocery store to get the supplies.  Butts are on the grill.  Having a bit of a struggle keeping the temps regular and it seems to vary between 237-260 with just the slightest change in vents.  I suppose its in my window.

Nerf_Dogg

Update us with your final cook time & temp please.  Do you have a L or XL BGE?  If L, do you have the butts cooking on their side?  I have a 9 lb'er on right now that take up the majority of the grate.  Doing 2 that size would be ideal.  Thanks in advance ... Chris