How many Pork butts can I do at once?

SmokinHokie

Hello-

I have a large BGE and I have four boston butts to cook ranging from 6-8 lbs a piece. I really would like to do them all at once. I can probably fit them all on the grate, but I am concerned about air flow. I don't have a grill extender but might be able to get my hands on one before I have to cook these Thursday night. Has anyone done this many at once? I figure it is going to take a long time, I'm guessing 24 hours to do them all at once. Thanks for your thoughts and help!

big bob mn

I did three on my lrg on Dec 22, it was 5 below zero that night. Had to baby sit the temp a little but not to bad. Three worked real good for me, took 22 hrs between 200-250 degrees. Good luck

AZRP

You can do all four on the main grid but you'll have to stand them on their ends and lean them against each other for them to fit. Once they shrink down some you can rearrange them. Just make sure you have an adequate drip pan, 4 butts put out a lot of grease. -RP

big bob mn

AZRP, good call on the drip pan info, I forgot to with three butts. What a mess!!! :S

Celtic Wolf

If you have a grill extender or can get one you should. It will allow for increased air flow.

The butts will shrink during the cook and allow air to flow as well. So time should not change much. However, you should plan on the cook to be 2 times the weight of the largest butt, but start checking temps 2 x the lightest. Remember you are still cooking to temp. You want to pull each at it reached 195.

I don't recommend this kind of cook without the aid of a controller like the Guru or the stoker. MAKE SURE you have a good brand of lump. Otherwise you will be chasing temps all throughout the cook.

Also I would suggest if you keep doing these kind of cooks to get an adjustable rig from the Ceramic Store

There are six on this egg..

Panhandle Smoker

I have got 5 on the large on a single grid but I had to stand 4 of them on their sides It worked well no air flow problems.

The Naked Whiz

The last time I did four butts, I used a grid extender and it took about 20 hours at dome temp of 230.

Celtic Wolf

You cook!!!! I thought all you did was take pictures of people cooking...

The Naked Whiz

Occasionally when it suits my needs, lol! Actually, all I do is sit in my driveway sorting charcoal and taking pictures of charcoal!

Celtic Wolf

Get a lot of visits from the RPD do you???

Susan Egglaine

If you are a local Hokie you can borrow my rig

SmokinHokie

Thanks for the offer, I am unfortunately no longer local, but always a Hokie!