Cooking 3 butts on the 18½" smoker.


 
T

Tom Betchkal

New member
Planning to cook 3 butts for first time on my 18½er. Will put two on top and one below. They are approximately the same size. If I don’t rotate them, what can I expect from the bottom butt as far as cooking time is concerned in relation to the other ones on top?
 
How big are they (lb.'s) ?
I've done three on the top rack in the 7-8# range.
I use an empty foiled pan and stuff on the top rack usually finishes ahead of the bottom rack.

Tim
 
I have to agree with Tim. I have fit 3 9lbers on the top grate plenty of times. Is there a reason you want to go with the 2nd grate.

And though I have never done a temp comparison it does seem like the bottom does cook a little slower.
 
Thanks for the replys KevinJ & Timothy. I guess what I would like to know is how the amount of time the meat on the bottom rack finishes is in relation to the top.
 
I always rotate bottom to top to even out the color on same meats. I also go by probe tender and if one finishes early than the other than that's what it is.:wsm:
I wish I could give you an exact time, but this is BBQ and a lotta things come into play.:)
Tim
 
KevinJ said:
And though I have never done a temp comparison it does seem like the bottom does cook a little slower.
Click to expand...

I've never used the bottom grate on my 18.5 WSM…and don't plan on using it. What I don't understand is why would meat closer to the heat source (lower grate) cook slower than meat on the top grate?!? Just curious...since I never smoke for more than five people at the most....and yes, I realize that heat rises but I'm still confused….
 
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I never use water in my pan, not sure if it matters but I have found that the bottom is hotter being closer to the coals, I always rotate
 
Not sure how much this will help, I have the 22.5 and use a 1/8" steel disk in my water pan and was curious about the temp difference so I put a probe on the lower grate one day. The lower grate started out and stayed about 20 degrees lower for maybe an hour then went up 15 degrees above the upper and stayed there, well until a big splat of grease hit the probe then the temp dropped until it stabilized again and went back up to where it was.. I had 4 butts between 7 & 8# on the top grate
 
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