Hello all! New to smoking and I've had my Bradley for about a month now. I've been lurking on this foru, and can't believe the great info and recipes on here. Did my first smoke last weekend using 10.5 rib recipe and it was phenominal.
I'm going to be doing my first big pulled pork this weekend. I have about 25 people coming over for football games on Sunday. I'm curious as to how much I should cook? I was thinking a 13 pound shoulder, probably somewhere around 22-24 hours. Does that sound like a good size for that amount of people?
Thanks,
Kevin
I'm getting ready to do about the same about of people for my first smoke this weekend. I asked a person at my church that does some catering and she suggested to figure about 1/2 to 3/4 lb per person. It just depends on what you want to serve with your meal. I have about 25 lbs of pork butt (4 -6.5 lbs butt) that I'm going to do and I'll let you and others know how it turns out.
NTS
Hi Kevin,
Welcome to the forum. If the gross weight of the shoulder is 13 pounds I think you may be a little light for 25 people. You will have some shrinkage in finished weight as well as some waste. If the finished weight is 13 pounds, I would think that would be about right. Besides, pulled pork leftovers freeze well!! ;)
KyNola
Welcome to the fun of smoking
When I smoke butt for a group I figure 1 lb raw weight per mouth
You will loose approx 50% due to trimming and shrinkage
Try 4 6-7 pound butts.. Easier to manage temps/racks/pull, and you get the right amount in the end. (and plenty of leftovers if you guessed high)
I'd plan for 22 hours, and then be pleasantly surprised if they all come up to 190+ IT in less time than that. FTC for a while, pull, and stand out of the way as it is devoured...
If you are serving other meats, use dinner rolls instead of the hamburger size rolls. People will take smaller portions, and tend to try the other meats. If you have left overs provide Styrofoam take home containers for your guest. I purchased 100 of them at Sam's for around $8.00.
Welcome to the forum. Looks like your well covered.
I'll echo the other statements.
If it were 25 of My friends, I'd have at least twice that much, if not 4 times. Leftovers freeze great.
Here is a thread with my method:
http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=8942.0
(http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=8942.0)
Hey Kleen, welcome to forum. GL in your pork butt smoke and post them pictures
Let me Clarify a little:
The 13Lb package you have is most likely 2 shoulders in one package, since the largest one I've seen is around 9 lbs.
I usually cook 2 of those packages, I get them around 15-16Lb each, which results in ~30LB of raw meat.
That will cook down to ~15-20LB of pulled pork. That will feed your 25 with leftovers.
Wow! Really appreciate all the responses everyone. I went to Sams tonight and picked up 2 shoulders, about 27 pounds total. Just put the rub on them and into the fridge for the night. Will start the smoking around 10 tomorrow morning.
Also, tried to post pics but I can't figure out how. I hit the image button on here, but don't know what to do after that.
Quote from: kleen2000 on September 11, 2009, 05:59:24 PM
Wow! Really appreciate all the responses everyone. I went to Sams tonight and picked up 2 shoulders, about 27 pounds total. Just put the rub on them and into the fridge for the night. Will start the smoking around 10 tomorrow morning.
Also, tried to post pics but I can't figure out how. I hit the image button on here, but don't know what to do after that.
This should help you out. http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showpost.php?p=768&postcount=11
Well, there is a link that someone is go to give you any minute now that shows you how. It is not easy and it involves photobucket and my daughter will have to show me how about 20 times before I will remember how to do it. LOL. So if there is an easier way I also would like to know.
Kevin,
Now you're talking. You should be good to go. Fill your friends up on chips and veggie sticks first so you will have plenty of butt leftovers. ;) :D
Seriously, have fun. You should have plenty of pork.
KyNola
Thanks HawkeyeSmokes for the link. Wasn't too bad at all. So here's the first pic, after I put the rub on last night:
(http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac146/kleen2000/Zoosummer09003.jpg)
(http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac146/kleen2000/Zoosummer09001.jpg)
Hi there kleen2000 and welcome to the forum.
There is nothing I can add to what the some of the masters on this forum advised. I second what Ky said about filling your friends.
Good luck and knock them dead (with your butts off course)
HR
And into the OBS....
(http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac146/kleen2000/Zoosummer09006.jpg)
Looks great
Looking good, so how did the smoke and party turn out ?
The party and ESPECIALLY the smoke went great. I took it out of the smoker yesterday about 11 am (23 hours cook time). Covered in foil and just sat it in the oven. About 1:00 I took it out to pull the meat. Came right apart. Meat tasted great, real nice bark. Everyone loved it. I ended up going through 3 of the butts at the party and had one left over. Gave some to family and kept some for myself. Should be all gone by today.
Turned out fantastic though. Pretty happy considering it was my first big smoke. Thanks to everyone for the advice!!
Sounds good
Dont you love it when a plan comes together ?