This Weekend's Smoke: Looking for advice

[jsampso]

I am traveling with the BDS-4 smoker this weekend up to my uncle's cabin. I am smoking a pork butt (7lb) and a turkey breast (bone in and 5lb) for Saturday's dinner. If we plan on eating around 6:00 PM what should be my plan of attack? I will be arriving at the cabin around 7:00PM Friday evening. I just rubbed down the pork and vacuum sealed it.  My plan is in bold so take a look and any thoughts and opinions would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Jim

Cook one or both together at same starting time? start both at the same time
Start time: Friday night around 10:00PM ?
OT: 180F
Wood Flavor: Pecan I have apple and mesquite
How much smoke:3hours
Desired IT:  Pork (190F) and Turkey (180F)?
Vent: 1/2?

[classicrockgriller]

Jim, how big is your butt?

[jsampso]

 about 7.5 lbs

[classicrockgriller]

ok that time is close. maybe

I would first of all get your butt to room temp asap and start your smoker out on 300

when the temp in the cabinet reaches your desired (220) temp then you can turn it down.

Wait on the Turkey breast till next morn

squirt does alot of breast and he can tell you how long it would take on that

becareful about dripping juice from the turkey on the pork (think you would rather have pork drip on turkey for saftey issues)

[squirtthecat]

Turkey breast roast, or the bone-in sucker?   How heavy?

Definitely, bird on bottom.

[jsampso]

5lb with bone in.

[squirtthecat]

5lb with bone in.

Thawed, I hope.

Start it in the morning. 220* smoker temp.  Under the butt.   Might take 4+ hours or so depending on the temps.   Put a temperature probe in it to be sure...   When it gets to 160, take a couple more readings, then foil it. (2 layers)   It'll stay hot for hours if you wrap it in towels and put in a cooler, or even a microwave oven.  Anything insulated.

[jsampso]

The butt has been going all night ?  Do I hit it the turkey with a dose of smoke resulting in the butt getting a 2nd dose?

[squirtthecat]

The butt has been going all night? Do I hit it the turkey with a dose of smoke resulting in the butt a 2nd dose?

Sure, lay it on.   The butt won't know any different...   (might give it a bit more color, anyway)

[classicrockgriller]

Jim, just don't use mesquite (sorry WTS)

the second smoke would be great for your butt.

[classicrockgriller]

leave your vent 3/4 to full open and watch your spent pucks. ;D

just take a stick and flick it in the water.

[jsampso]

You guys are great! How are you with fantasy football? ;D

Jim

[squirtthecat]

Yeah, when the bird goes in, open the vent all the way.

165* is "done' for turkey breast.   Pull it at 160 and it will cruise up to temp when wrapped in foil.   180* will dry it out and you will be disappointed.

You rubbing the bird with anything?   EVOO and just a little rub will make it pretty and tasty.

[jsampso]

I'm married to a Greek so we have plenty of EVOO!

[classicrockgriller]

I play fantasy smokes ;D

I use to play fantasy basketball

Still play online backgammon and poker