50lbs of pork butts on XL - Timing?

Ozzie_Isaac

I have 6 bone-in pork butts.  I trimmed them, injected them, and rubbed them last night.  The plan is to begin serving them tomorrow at 5:30 PM. This time is non-negotiable.  Each butt is ~8lbs.

My issue is I have a wedding today at 4:30 and plan to be back home by 9 PM.  I have the XL all loaded and ready to go.  As soon as I get back I will light the fire get the temp to 250 and put the butts on at 10 PM.  This gives me 19.5 hrs.

I will have them on two levels.  I plan to put the slightly larger ones on top and the smaller ones on the bottom.

I will have them run at 250 until morning then bump them to 300.  I also plan to wrap.  Usually when I cook doubles I get done in ~12hrs.  I figure this gives me 7.5hrs of wiggle room.

Is that reasonable?  If I did not have the wedding I would start at 6-7PM, but I don't have that option unless I miss the reception and dinner, which is poor form.

Any thoughts?

Durangler

I did 25 pounds on the XL for a wedding reception. Only 3 butts. I put the smaller one on top & it was done about 2 hours before the others. FTC while the others finished. Then FTC everything & held for about another 2 hours. They were still steaming & pulled very nicely. The bark was fine also. Big hit!

Ozzie_Isaac

Durangler said:

I did 25 pounds on the XL for a wedding reception. Only 3 butts. I put the smaller one on top & it was done about 2 hours before the others. FTC while the others finished. Then FTC everything & held for about another 2 hours. They were still steaming & pulled very nicely. The bark was fine also. Big hit!

What temp/time did you run at?

This is for a neighbors graduation party.  Wish the wedding wasn't today.  Seems I am always shoe-horned in between events.

Durangler

To add, Total cooking time was close to 13 hours at around 250. Put them on at around 10PM. I think 19 hours is plenty of time. Your Flame Boss will be an asset for sure.

Ozzie_Isaac

Cool thanks. Your time/temps is kind of what I was thinking they should be.

 This is the largest single cook I have done.  Looking forward to getting the meat on.

johnmitchell

Good luck Ozzie_Isaac...Key here as I see it don't get to bent at the reception..

Ozzie_Isaac

johnmitchell said:

Good luck Ozzie_Isaac...Key here as I see it don't get to bent at the reception..

Lol.  My thoughts too.  It is at a winery and they have an open bar that starts before the ceremony.  They said drinks during the wedding is fine.  Gonna have to put on my game face.

grege345

You'll be fine. Just curious what your using for a drip pan if any?

4Runner

I'd target 12 hours so you are good.  Just let them ride at 250.  I did 5 on my Large a couple of weeks and there was a 2 hour difference between the first and last butt pulled.  Amazing.   

Ozzie_Isaac

grege345 said:

You'll be fine. Just curious what your using for a drip pan if any?

Just a 18" stainless drip pan from CGS.

DoubleEgger

How's the cook going? 

Ozzie_Isaac

Waiting for clean smoke.

DoubleEgger

Patiently waiting on a pic of that XL loaded to the brim.... Good luck tonight buddy. You'll nail it I'm sure. 

DMW

I wish I could offer some advice, but my advice at this point would be worth about the effort it took me to type this.

You got this, load it up and let it ride. Adjust cooking temps as needed to hit finish time.

Ozzie_Isaac

Ok guys here is 6 bone-in butts on an XL.  Just over 50lbs.

Scottborasjr

Looks like a great start, don't hesitate to bump the temp up after dawn.  It will be fantastic and your neighbors will love it. 

DoubleEgger

Gotta love the XL

Ozzie_Isaac

IT around 180 ....

johnmitchell

Hell yes....Looking fantastic.

grege345

You worried mr. .....  ?

Aussie

How long till they are to be served?

Ozzie_Isaac

Served in 8hrs .... one in back by hinges will be done in 1hr, top 2 I give 2 more hours, and the bottom middle I bet goes 4 hrs.

I am glad they will be done early.  I find FTC of 3+ hours really helps the flavor.

Thanks for all the encouragement guys!  Trying to track 6 butts is a tricky deal.

DoubleEgger

Legume

Great to see this work out, stressful cooking that much, especially for others.  Enjoy the party.

Scottborasjr

Nicely Done!! I figured you'd get it done proper like. I'm sure the friends will be appreciative. Enjoy the day now that the stress is essentially over!

Durangler

Ozzie_Isaac said:

Served in 8hrs .... one in back by hinges will be done in 1hr, top 2 I give 2 more hours, and the bottom middle I bet goes 4 hrs.

I am glad they will be done early.  I find FTC of 3+ hours really helps the flavor.

Thanks for all the encouragement guys!  Trying to track 6 butts is a tricky deal.

'bout the way my 3 went also. Good job! They are looking great!
Still looking like 12 -13 hours total?

Ozzie_Isaac

I have 2 in a cooler ftc, 2 foiled in the oven at 230 just finishing off and 2 on the egg at 275. 

I will probably have 16hrs on the two still on the egg.  That was because I waited to bump the temp.  If I bumped earlier it would have finished at 13hrs.

grege345

So in other words you pulled it off?

Ozzie_Isaac

grege345 said:

So in other words you pulled it off?

Yup!  All pulled (kitchen aid to the rescue) and over at the neighbors.  Now I'm off to a different party.  It was a ton of work, but a lot of fun.

DoctorMojo

Wow....Nice Cook!

grege345

I had no doubts