Smashburgers for 30ish? Gathering Ideas.

oldgeezeystax

Hiya Gang!  

In less than a month my wife and I will be hosting 30ish to celebrating my daughters first trip around the sun.  I'm planning to cook something and I generally default to pork butts when cooking for a gang but I'm thinking smashburgers on the BS could be a nice change.  My question is, do you think smashburgers are doable for 30ish if I prep the patties ahead of time?  How many patties would you prep?  I'm thinking 4 per male, 2 per female figuring on 2 patties for each burger and guys eating 2 and girls eating 1.  What sides?

If this turns out to be too much i'm happy to toss 2 butts on instead...

lkapigian

I have done a large number like that- prep is key for sure, have everything done but the meat- have yours tools ready to go, have PLENTY of paper towels, water and oil in a squirt bottle- Your Grease trap will overflow so have a back up plan on that .....I did Bacon and caramelized onions well in advance as well as lettuce etc- have your cheese ready with the slices alternating so they are easy to grab, your BS will cool rather quickly so I broke the cook up in 1/2 the grill then the other half to allow for recovery- My 2 cents

WeberWho

Definitely going to be more work than a couple butts on the egg but probably worth the effort. lkapigian nailed it with prepping the toppings beforehand along with the patties. I'd also find a partner in crime. (This helps a ton) One person can put the patties on and help with cheese while the other is the dedicated flipper/smasher. 

fishlessman

let the cheese come to room temp, place the lower bunn on a sheet pan, place cheese on lower bunn, place sizzling hot burger on top of cheese, it melts, its quick and easier and faster than melting cheese on the griddle.  people wont know why you did it, its unamerican but good. i like my smash burgers cooked on a dry griddle, grease wiped off before adding more. i usually go for the easier cook like pulled pork, burgers for a crowd is like feeding the russian army

kl8ton

A helper is a good idea.  by the time you get your last ball on, it is time to smash.  Keep your smashing device well lubricated and hot.  It will start to let the balls of beef stick to it as it cools.  Messing with parchment paper in between smashing device and burger is not fun.  By the time the smashing is done. . . and sometimes before. . . the first burger you smashed needs to be flipped.  It is a lot of fun, but speed and organization is key.  Wear an apron.  Grease will be flyin'