8 Butts on Large?

gthom

I posted about a month ago that I was considering selling barbecue plates for Labor Day Weekend at this local "biker ralley". Well, after much back and forth, I've decided to give it a go. Having NO IDEA about the number of plates we're going to sell, I've decided to cook some of the butts in advance (then pull, vacuum seal, and freeze).

I've had good success with doing a fast cook (350-375 dome) for 4-5 hours. However, the meat isn't quite as tender and since it doesn't spend much time during the plateau period, the fat doesn't break down like a low and slow. I'd rather do low and slow.

I know that its easy to cook 4 butts on the large (and even 3 on a single grid). I was thinking of trying 8 at a time. I am considering the following set up:
- removing the fire ring
- plate setter legs up
- drip pan
- grid (3 butts)
- raised grid (3 butts)
- grid extender (2 butts)

1. Anyone think this will fit (height wise)
2. Am I going to run out of lump? I've always had a lot left when doing butts before (of course I fill it up almost to the top of the fire ring).

I will likely wind up doing 4 or 5 the normal way, but I'm always wanting to try something new. Anyone else tried this?

GTHOM

Celtic Wolf

Six is a stretch and as I said before DO NOT attempt this without the aid of a BBQ Guru or a Stoker. Without them you'll be up all night tending to the fire.

gthom

did you remove the fire ring on that set up?

Celtic Wolf

No.. That is with tjv adjustable rig.

AZRP

The biggest problem is that you have to have a place for all the grease to go. There is an awful lot of grease from 8 butts. -RP

FlaPoolman

:laugh:

Celtic Wolf

When the 6 were done the 1/2 steam pan under them was full.

8 is too much of stretch. With the 6 I had little room for air flow. Which I say don't attempt it without some kind of forced air control. Better off with two eggs.

You can bet it used up the fuel too.

gthom

Good info.

I'll stick with 4 or 5....6 if I'm feeling frisky. I'll be doing this first run in the morning, so I can watch it during the day.

If I can get 5 done tomorrow, I'll need to give the egg time to cool down so I can load it up Thursday morning. I can start the next 5 on my large and 5 on my parent's large on Thursday afternoon.

Celtic Wolf

The picture was one of 3 eggs equally loaded. 18 total, but each of my eggs had a DigiQ II on them.. Even then one of them needed to be reloaded in the middle of the night.

Don't turn your back on the egg too long if you don't have a Guru or Stoker.

emilluca

If you are going to sauce the pulled pork you will find that the butts go a long way. One year we did some butts in a sunbeam roaster and pulled them added BBQ sauce and sold 100's of sandwiches. We just added more sauce and water as the day wore on. Pulled pork will soak up lots of sauce.

SmokinGuitarPlayer

6 on large ...impressive. I haven't attempted more than 4.