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some advise needed

Ok my fellow eggers ... I've egged for a year now, still learning as I'm sure all of you are...here is the deal I am doing my first BIG cook at my house for my employees there will be 27 total (I have a LBGE) and I also am getting today the Ceramic grill works 2 tier (hoping that will help with the amount of food)  ... I am wanting to do Butts / ribs / wings ...my thoughts were 2 butts in the 8-9lb range 4 slabs of ribs and about 50 wings (note the wings are just for sampling / appetizers), everyone is bringing lots of sides so there will be plenty of other foods and deserts and of course some drinks :)      

please give me your thoughts / suggestions / past experience that could help etc etc ...and I will post up a plenty of cook and people pics for ya :)

thank you very much  

Large Big Green Egg / Ceramic Grill 2 Tier grate / Maverick ET-733 / homemade egg station / Amelia Island Fl. "Go Gators"

Comments

  • fljoemon
    fljoemon Posts: 757
    Wow .. buddy .. you throw quiet a party .. that seems to be a lot of food to cook .. I do not know your timeframe for the cook .. I have tried cooking Butts and ribs and wings one after the other, but could not get it done on time I wanted to serve food. I started at 11pm in the night and wanted to serve lunch by noon .. butts got done by 8am, ribs took another 5 hours .. I even ran out of lump .. it was a disaster. Next time I will plan better and I am going to turbo everything like @mickey suggests.

    BTW .. whan you planning to eat?
    LBGE & Mini
    Orlando, FL
  • saluki2007
    saluki2007 Posts: 6,354
    edited April 2015
    I've never done that big of a cook at once, but if I had I would definitely do the butts well in advance and freeze.  I usually don't wrap my ribs in foil but for this instance I would do the ribs on the egg for 2.5-3 hours, wrap in foil and stick them in the magic box in the kitchen and cook the wings on the egg.  Once the wings were done throw the ribs back on to finish up.
    Large and Small BGE
    Central, IL

  • ryantt
    ryantt Posts: 2,558
    I'd skip the ribs and simply go with butts.  While they are hanging out in a warmed cooler you can make the wings.  Recently held 30lbs of buts in a  cooler double foiled and in a towl for 4hrs.  They were still supper hot when I pulled them.  Just my 2 cents.  Make it easy on yourself for your first big cook.  
    XL BGE, KJ classic, Joe Jr, UDS x2 


  • ryantt
    ryantt Posts: 2,558
    Oh and I'd figure a 1/2 pound per person of finished product.  We always like to have more than enough....hate to run out.  
    XL BGE, KJ classic, Joe Jr, UDS x2 


  • Mattman3969
    Mattman3969 Posts: 10,458
    What time are you planning on eating?

    -----------------------------------------

    analyze adapt overcome

    2008 -Large BGE. 2013- Small BGE and 2015 - Mini. Henderson, Ky.
  • tarheelmatt
    tarheelmatt Posts: 9,867
    Two large 9lb butts should be plenty with leftovers.  By my calculations, around 16lbs.  That is calculating 5.6oz per person.  

    The butts will be fine to cook ahead and either place in bags for the next day or FTC (you have a 4-5 hour window) and use crock pots to heat.  Yes, it is not the as good as coming right off, but the rabid people at my work says it's the best ever.   After that then you can place your ribs on and then lastly, your wings.  The added space of the AR will help tremendously.  

    Make sure you use a good lump that burn long and fill the Egg to the top of your platesetter.  


    ------------------------------
    Thomasville, NC
    My YouTube Channel - The Hungry Hussey
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  • BigGreenGator
    BigGreenGator Posts: 346
    edited April 2015
    @mattman39 @fljoemon dinner time is Friday evening 6:00... I plan on starting the butts around 6:00 to 9:00 tonight hopefully pull them off somewhere around 10:00 TO 2:00 tomorrow put them in the cooler... then put the ribs on around 2:00 and then  cook the wings while everyone is showing up they'll get to smell the smoke (they like that ) :)   

    Large Big Green Egg / Ceramic Grill 2 Tier grate / Maverick ET-733 / homemade egg station / Amelia Island Fl. "Go Gators"

  • Jstroke
    Jstroke Posts: 2,605
    Gator, First and foremost congrats for taking care of your people and spreading egging love. Here are some thoughts. Know the crowd. Is this an office party at your place where your employees wear ties and ladies wear dresses. Or is this for the guys who drive trucks and work third shift. For something like this with lots of sides and desserts here is what I figure they will eat, unless we are talking about big ole country boys. 1/8 lb pork, 2 ribs per person and 2 wings. If these are nice folks who wear ties, women, and kids, than less. Remember, if they have not been to your house before they will be cautious, not wanting to appear too glutinous. If on the other hand you guys are all excellent friends and there is much camaraderie already, than you need another egg. I would say your numbers look good.  I would do Pork butt ahead and FTC. Give yourself LOTS, I repeat LOTS  of extra time if this is your first big cook. It is when you get rushed that you get out of your groove. Once out it is almost impossible to right the ship.  Remember, the actual prep takes the most time. Make a list, list every detail you can think of for every single item--ingredient list, and create a loose schedule. The last thing you want to do is go to the garage and find you are out of charcoal or you are getting ready to rub your butts down and your Dizzy Dust is empty. Keep us posted, I am sure you will be fine. 
    Columbus, Ohio--A Gasser filled with Matchlight and an Ugly Drum.
  • msloan
    msloan Posts: 399
    you can do this......your cooking for your 27 employees, which means you are either a manager or an owner of a business.....therefore, you know how to manage and plan and that's all you need.  I have done many cooks like this and here is some humble advice I can offer;

    1)  dont drink......stay focused on the task at hand.

    2)  have all of your rubs and sauces made in advance.

    3)  make sure you use plenty of lump so there is no chance of running out during the cook.

    4)  give yourself some "pad time", which appears you have from the post above.......because a cooler, some foil and a towel are you best friends..lol

    5)  make sure you keep your temps consistent during the cook to allow proper cook times.

    6)  make sure your family or a couple of trusted employees can be around for all of part of the cook to potentially help with anything you need.

    7)  make sure all of the other "things" that go with setting up a thing like this the day of the event are handled by someone else, such as tables, napkins, plates, drinks etc......you dont need to fool with any of that.


    enjoy and watch everyone rant and rave over your FANTASTIC  food.....good luck!  I hope it goes great for you!
    gettin lucky in kentucky!   2 XL eggs!
  • @jstroke we are truck driving / beer drinking / country :) lumber Yard folks down to earth ...I've got the list of ( food / preps / plates /&  people) and  they know what they are bringing ... im thinking as long as I get the butts started at right time and finished up then I should be gold ... but the ideas and thoughts from everyone is helping :)  

    Large Big Green Egg / Ceramic Grill 2 Tier grate / Maverick ET-733 / homemade egg station / Amelia Island Fl. "Go Gators"

  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    edited April 2015
    @mattman39 @fljoemon dinner time is Friday evening 6:00... I plan on starting the butts around 6:00 to 9:00 tonight hopefully pull them off somewhere around 10:00 TO 2:00 tomorrow put them in the cooler... then put the ribs on around 2:00 and then  cook the wings while everyone is showing up they'll get to smell the smoke (they like that ) :)   
    That should work out fine. Don't see your location. Seems like you told me once before.... Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island area?  what side would you like me to bring :hang_loose: 
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
  • @mattman39 @fljoemon dinner time is Friday evening 6:00... I plan on starting the butts around 6:00 to 9:00 tonight hopefully pull them off somewhere around 10:00 TO 2:00 tomorrow put them in the cooler... then put the ribs on around 2:00 and then  cook the wings while everyone is showing up they'll get to smell the smoke (they like that ) :)   
    That should work out fine. Don't see your location. Seems like you told me once before.... Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island area?  what side would you like me to bring :hang_loose: 
    I believe your memory serves you well @NPHuskerFL B)

    Large Big Green Egg / Ceramic Grill 2 Tier grate / Maverick ET-733 / homemade egg station / Amelia Island Fl. "Go Gators"

  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    So is brisket a side :pensive: :lol: 
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
  • thetrim
    thetrim Posts: 11,387
    edited April 2015
    I would happily invite @NPHusker to any parties at my place.  That being said, I am hosting a Mayweather - Pacquiao fight.  Blake, you're welcome to join.
    =======================================
    XL 6/06, Mini 6/12, L 10/12, Mini #2 12/14 MiniMax 3/16 Large #2 11/20 Legacy from my FIL - RIP PitBoss Navigator 850G 11/25
    Tampa Bay, FL
    EIB 6 Oct 95
  • NCEggSmoker
    NCEggSmoker Posts: 336
    Everyone gave good advice. I think your plan is workable. I would up the temp a bit and foil to make sure the butts are done by 10am, and make sure to do all the prep work ahead (pull membranes and rub the ribs night before, separate the wings into flats and drumettes if that's how you do them the night before). Sounds like it'll be fun. Best of luck. 
    Raleigh NC, Large BGE and KJ Joe Jr.