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Title: How many butts can I smoke at once?
Post by: firerescueman on June 15, 2008, 07:03:55 PM

Hi all!

Since I have finally figured out my new toy, I would like to cook for some of my neighbors. I have a neighbor who used to cook shoulders for several of us neighborhood folks.... but his health is ailing and he is unable to do this anymore. I would like to cook 5 or 6 medium butts. (I have to supply the family, too!) Just wondering if this is too many to cook at once or if I should break this up into a couple of smokes.

I guess what I am asking is...... How much is too much???

Thanks in advance for the help!

Jeff

Title: Re: How many butts can I smoke at once?
Post by: West Coast Sausage Maker on June 16, 2008, 12:16:19 AM

hello Jeff, Im not sure what smoker you have ... but the Bradley 4 racks work best with 10 - 15 lbs of whatever meat you put inside. If you load 20 or more lbs the 600watt heater just takes for ever and a day to do its thing. The Bradley rep suggested that I use the smoker for just smoke, and finish everything in the oven.

Once you've mastered smoking a butt (times and temps) you'll find that everything changes when you double or tripple the mass inside the smoker.

Hope this helps.

Mike

Title: Re: How many butts can I smoke at once?
Post by: KyNola on June 16, 2008, 06:44:22 AM

First off, welcome to the forum. I have to agree with TBS about finishing in the house oven. I have the 4 rack BDS and just did two butts that together weighed around 16 pounds. Did 4 hours of hickory smoke at 210 degrees in the BDS and then immediately moved them to the house oven at 210 in order to maintain a more consistent cooking temp. Still took a total of 24 hours but worth every minute of it. I put them in a roasting pan on a rack and left uncovered the entire time. When the IT got to 180, I wrapped them in foil and placed them in an unheated microwave oven just to hold them as I didn't have a cooler available to hold them. Two hours later, they absolutely fell apart.

Hope this helps, have a great time.

KyNola

Title: Re: How many butts can I smoke at once?
Post by: firerescueman on June 17, 2008, 09:48:17 PM

Thanks for the replies.....

I haven't bought my butts yet, just planning for the future. When I get ready, I will probably break it up into 2 smokes..... moving the first batch into the oven while I start smoke on the second batch. Right now I am concentrating on the belly bacon I have curing in the fridge. You guys are always a great help. Thanks again!

Jeff

BRADLEY SMOKER | "Taste the Great Outdoors"

Recipe Discussions => Meat => Topic started by: firerescueman on June 15, 2008, 07:03:55 PM