First big pork smoke - how much?

kleen2000 · September 10, 2009, 12:26:21 PM

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

NewToSmoking · September 10, 2009, 12:30:22 PM

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

KyNola · September 10, 2009, 12:35:50 PM

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

OU812 · September 10, 2009, 12:43:27 PM

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

squirtthecat · September 10, 2009, 12:48:10 PM

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...

Habanero Smoker · September 10, 2009, 01:51:07 PM

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.

mikecorn.1 · September 10, 2009, 01:57:53 PM

Welcome to the forum. Looks like your well covered.

FLBentRider · September 10, 2009, 01:58:12 PM

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

classicrockgriller · September 10, 2009, 02:28:24 PM

Hey Kleen, welcome to forum. GL in your pork butt smoke and post them pictures

FLBentRider · September 10, 2009, 03:07:31 PM

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.

kleen2000 · 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.

HawkeyeSmokes · September 11, 2009, 06:26:27 PM

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

Quarlow · September 11, 2009, 06:28:03 PM

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.

KyNola · September 11, 2009, 06:56:10 PM

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

kleen2000 · September 12, 2009, 04:35:30 AM

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:

First big pork smoke - how much?

squirtthecat