First time low/slow question re: placement of two butts

Unknown

I'm smoking my first butts this weekend. I have the v rack and plan to smoke two butts. I've searched the archives for confirmation that you can fit two, but I can't find any information on how exactly to place the butts on the rack. Does it matter if they touch each other? Also, is the v rack really necessary? I've seen photos (again, in the archives) of two butts directly on the grill.[p]Thanks in advance for any advice.

katman

DLS,
I put them directly on the grill with a platesetter and drip pan below. If you don't have a platesetter put the vrack in a roasting pan to catch the drippings. The pan will help deflect the heat, but it won't temper the heat the way a stone or platesetter does.

PapaQ

DLS,[p]A v-rack is not required, but is used for ease of removal of the butts when they are done. The meat is extremely tender at that point and can fall apart on the grill if you're not careful. I use a v-rack and have been able to get two butts on it with just a hint of space between them. I put them in the rack cross-wise, not end to end. [p]You're going to have great fun doing your first butts. Keep us posted on how it goes.[p]Paul

Unknown

PapaQ,[p]Thanks for the advice. That makes sense about ease of removal, which is something I hadn't thought about but no doubt would discover once it was time to take out the butts. When you say you place them "cross-wise" what exactly do you mean? Don't mean to sound ignorant, I'm just a little new at this.[p]Thanks,[p]Don

Mark Backer

DLS,[p]I wouldn't worry about the v-rack for butts. Just put them right on the grid directly with your platesetter inverted and holding a drip pan. [p]Good luck, take pictures, and let us know how it goes.[p]Oh yeah, make sure to calibrate your thermometer in boiling water before you go to cookin'. Lo and slo's require accuracy. Mine was off 40 degrees, so 220 was actually 260. That can throw your cook times off a lot. It didn't hurt the meat, but I wasn't ready for 14 pounds of bbq at 5 in the morning either.[p]

Mark Backer

DLS,[p]I think he means that, since most butts are more ovale or rectangular than round or square, just put the butts length-wise front to back on the egg whilst the v-rack runs long-wise left to right (or right to left). [p]that reads badly. Maybe someone can word it better.

PapaQ

DLS,[p]By cross-wise I mean: put the v-rack on a table so that the length of it is perpendicular to you. I then place the butts in horizontally across the grain of the rack (the longer ends facing left and right). The other way would be to place the butts in end to end, and I have found with the butts I've done that I can't get them to fit length-wise without touching each other. Horizontally, there is some space between the butts. It would all depend on the size of your rack, too.[p]Paul

The Naked Whiz

<p />DLS,
You can place the directly on the grill. Since you are going to pull them, usually, it doesn't really matter if they come apart when you remove them. Here's four butts using a grid extender.[p]TNW

Unknown

The Naked Whiz,[p]Thanks. BTW, I love your site. It is incredibly helpful, and I plan on following your plan of action for the smoke. [p]Don

fishlessman

The Naked Whiz, that part that sticks to the grill is what i want to snack on while the butts are resting in the cooler. hopefully a good piece sticks

Unknown

PapaQ,[p]Thanks. That makes sense.[p]Don