Butt Setup help

Misippi Egger · March 2009

OK, now that I've bought all these great accessories, I've developed AOS - "Accessory Overload Syndrome". I need help or therapy ---- or BOTH! :ohmy:

The last butt I cooked was pretty simple - lots of lump, platesetter (legs up), drip pan on platesetter, butt on V-rack on grid which was on firering. 20 hours and turned out great! (used BBQ Guru for temp control).

Now I have a spider, adjustable rig, 14" BGE pizza stone, 14" round drip pan.

Two butts to cook (about 8 lb each).

Should I put the round drip pan on the legs, on the pizza stone, on the spider?
The butts on the V-rack on the grid (firering), or put them on the elevated grid?

According to TJV's web site, that will leave about 1 inch of space around the outside for airflow. Is this too restrictive?

You guys (gals) with experience with these setups please chime in.

I realize there are probably as many ways to do this as there will be replies, but is there something you have found NOT to do? :(

Thanks... I respect the advice of all!

fishlessman · March 2009

all you need to do is get a pan under the grill that holds the meat, you can use a pizza stone under the pan on the spider if you want to but with a 250 degree cook using a guru its not really needed. heres a minimalist approach, butts are just too easy to cook

http://www.eggheadforum.com/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&func=view&id=507801&catid=1

Crimsongator · March 2009

You did it right the first time. Use the same set up with a slightly larger drip pan to cover both butts. I don't use a v-rack and set the butts right on the grid. You can probably do the same with equal results.

Fidel · March 2009

OK, here is my setup from the bottom up.

1. Spider, legs up so it sits slightly below the fire ring level. Lump filled to the bottom of the spider.

2. Pizza stone, wrapped in foil, sitting on spider.

3. Regular grid at fire ring level.

4. Disposable aluminum drip pan.

5. Adjustable rig.

6. Grid at top of adjustable rig or oval grid at top setting in the rig.

7. Butts.

This setup will keep the drip pan off the heat deflection of the pizza stone and will prevent scorched drippings.

Misippi Egger · March 2009

Fidel,

Thanks, that sorta confirmed what I had in mind AND I like having the drip pan higher up.

Do you use the 14" pizza stone, or a smaller one?

I think someone once wrote on here that they felt it blocked the airflow too much. It looks like plenty of room, IMO, and tjv has it set up like that on his website.

Fidel · March 2009

I use the 14" stone and have no issues with airflow.

I can get mine up to 400* indirect with that setup. Probably higher, though I've never tried.

Misippi Egger · March 2009

Great. Thanks.

I will be cooking around 225* (grid temp) using the BBQ Guru, so shouldn't have any problems with airflow.

tjv · March 2009

with two butts no need for the spider. Options are:

- stone and drip pan on level 1.5 or 3.0. To get the drip pan off the stone, place the stone on level 1.5 and drip pan on level 3.0, requires two pair crossbars or slide guide and crossbar. Stone can be 12, 14 or 16 inch diameter. Pan can be 11x15x1, 14x1, 16x1 or your pan if it fits inside the rig

- For the grid with both butts, oval or 16.5 stainless grid on level 4.5 or bge grid atop the rig.

These are the best set-ups variations because stone/pan are minimum 1.5 inches above the fire ring, can fill the fire ring with lump and if you need to get to the lump, just slip your hands under the rig's top ring and lift the loaded rig out. Now the egg is empty. It's easy to do and remember hand protection (welder's gloves) as the rig will be hot.

You might play with the potential set-ups before starting the cook and best to foil the pan.

Sometimes I'm really lazy and will only use a drip pan on level 3.0 and put butts with bge grid atop the rig - no stone. Have not melted a pan yet, but could happen if egg runs up the temp.

feel free to email me your number and I'll call you if you need more help.

tom

Misippi Egger · March 2009

Thanks, Tom.

Extra crossbars, oval grids and a grid extender are going on my "Father's Day" list. :ohmy:

Gotta get my kitchen area built before I completely run out of room for all the Eggcessories.

fishlessman · March 2009

"Sometimes I'm really lazy and will only use a drip pan on level 3.0 and put butts with bge grid atop the rig - no stone. Have not melted a pan yet, but could happen if egg runs up the temp. "

im with the opinion that the stone or platesetter is not needed at all for low and slows if one is good at maintaining temps, higher temp baking breads and pizzas you need the extra mass but not for low and slows. its not lazy if its not needed

tjv · March 2009

I hear ya. I only use the pan to keep the mess down from the drippings. With the pan on the Rig's middle bracket setting, it sits 3 inches above the fire ring and three inches below the grid. Works for me so far.

For consistancy, I need to tell folks to use the stone with a pan, as accidents do happen and folks can melt the aluminum pans if not careful on temp and pan placement. So my standard, all-inclusive, answer is place a stone under the pan at all levels.....guess today is a non stardard day.....LOL. T

T

Butt Setup help

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