Advice needed on Stepfathers 85th Birthday Cook

Ladeback69

I am taking this Friday off to cook 3 pork butts to make pulled pork for my stepfathers 85th birthday party Saturday at noon.  That's what he and my mom asked for.  I pretty much am going to put the butts on Friday morning and when done let rest, pull and put in a crock pot for the next day.  I am also going to smoke some Baby Back ribs and Spare ribs.  

1st; is the pork going to get to soft setting on the crock pot all night till noon the next day?  

2nd; should I pull and let cool over night, then put in the crock pot?

3rd; should I do the ribs at the same time, wrap them up, put them in the fridge and reheat the next day?  I have done this before and it came out pretty good.  I could wait till the pork is done and cook the ribs Friday night and try to FTC them for the next day.

 I have held pork for 5 or 6 hours, but never for 12 or more which is what this would be.  Lunch is at noon and we have a 2 hour drive to get there so I don't want to be cooking into the morning then have drive for 2 hours there.

What do you all think?  

fishlessman

i would reheat the pork in tin trays in the morning and slip them into a cooler for thye trip, transfer to the crock pot at the party

Ladeback69

Bump, anyone else have any thoughts.

blind99

Do you have time/space to reheat everything at your destination? I'd get it all cooked Friday and keep refrigerated. I have had good luck dumping a few ziplock packs of pulled pork into a big disposable catering tray, mixing with a bit of BBQ sauce, cover with HDAF, and reheating in the oven. Takes maybe an hour at 350. 

Happy 85th to your FIL

northGAcock

Sounds like a great time and occasion. I would precook the pork, pull and place in vacuumed sealed bags if you have them. Bring bags (pork) up to temp in hot water.... Mix with sauce (optional) and maintain in crockpot.

.....as for the ribs, cook, sauce and cut. I would use a foil pan and reheat in oven. Sometimes I think my pork ribs are actually better the secound day.....not often it occurs though. This will give you a quality product, and not require a great deal of your time.....giving you some quality time with the family. 

With both items, pack in cooler to maintain a cold temp. Celebrate life and eat well.

SmokeyPitt

I don't think the pulled pork would fair well in the crock pot for that long. I would either:

1) Cook ahead of time and reheat on site. 
2) Cook overnight and time it to finish before and FTC and transport and pull the butts on site.