4 Butts in the OBS

[Sorce]

Can it be done? I'm doing pulled pork for a work outing and need to cook 4 of them. I can always do them on separate days, just wondering if it's possible to fit 4 of them in the OBS. Last time I checked sams it seemed the average weight for 2 was around 17 lbs. Just wondering if I should even try to fit them all in or just accept that I'm going to have to smoke them 2 at a time.

[Hopefull Romantic]

I would do them in twos. They would probably take for ever cooking together.

HR

[squirtthecat]

You could fit 4 if you stood them on end, but you'd probably be looking at 30 hours of cooking time..

Like HR, I would do them in the Bradley in pairs.

[Ka Honu]

If I were going to do all four at once, I'd definitely consider using the oven after the smoke ran out.

[FLBentRider]

I've done four butts in the OBS a few times.

You have to be creative to get them all in there, most of the time its two-to-a-rack standing on the cut edge, one on each rack may end up touching the rack above.

Like this


or this

[Oldman]

When I do butts I bone them out and then cut them sort-of flat. I can get two to a rack. One more item. Check to make sure that no flavor enhancers have been added. The only place around here I can get butts that have not be pre-injected is Publix.

[Phlyfisher]

I'm lookin' at smokin' 4 butts this week as well. Are there any guidelines about rotating the racks? I assume that the butts closest to the heating element will come up to temp a little faster than the ones above it, correct?

When you "finish" cooking meat in the oven, do you use "convection bake" or just regular "bake." I think convection gets a more even temperature throughout the oven, but I worry that the moving air might dry out the meat a little bit.

FLBentRider - what was your total cook time when you did 4 butts all at once?

[Habanero Smoker]

I've never smoke/cook four at a time, but when I want to get two on a rack, I truss them up with cooking twine. That often helps them fit on the racks a little better.

[FLBentRider]

FLBentRider - what was your total cook time when you did 4 butts all at once?

I've done them in as little as 18 and as much as 30

Probably average around 20 hours.

The one time I put them in the oven on convection the bark was too hard and chewy, I use regular bake.

[Indy Smoker]

I usually do only 2 at a time.  I have done 4 at once only one time and was not thrilled with the results.  I recommend doing them in pairs - that's what I do now.  As far as time goes when I do 2 it usually takes 24-26 hours, so I plan accordingly.  I read posts where people have them done in 8 hours and I don't quite understand. 
Make sure you use a probe thermometer and remember, they're done when they're done and not before

[Phlyfisher]

Flbentrider- what kind of rub do you have on that meat? All of the rub recipes I use and have read about are all pretty paprika-heavy. Yours looks like it's coated in molasses or soy sauce or something 

Anyone have any opinions on rotating the racks while cooking? I imagine the resulting heat loss might negate an benefit you might get from rotating the racks anyway.

Thanks for all the help!

[FLBentRider]

Flbentrider- what kind of rub do you have on that meat? All of the rub recipes I use and have read about are all pretty paprika-heavy. Yours looks like it's coated in molasses or soy sauce or something 

I'm not sure which rub that it in those pics. I did do some with a molasses slather once, so those could be it. It could be Bad Byron's butt rub, or the Alton Brown rub.

I rotate racks top to bottom and front to back when I empty/refill the water bowl at the four hour mark, and then again 6 or 8 hours later.

[beefmann]

depending on the size of each butt  and total of all , I  would load up to 30 lbs no more of meat and go from there and allow for stall time, it may take 24 to 30 hours though i did 18 lbs of brisket in 16 hours