ColbySheridan
New member
Hi Guys – need some advice.
Heading out for a Cub Scout camping trip next weekend, where I volunteered to help with the food. Pulled pork and beans are for dinner on Saturday night, and I’m thinking through logistics. Given 60ppl, I’m thinking somewhere on the order of 32 lbs total starting weight, which factors in a 40% loss. I have not purchased the butts yet, but assume they will be 8-9 lbs / piece, all smoked on an 18” WSM. As a practice, I smoked a 3.75 lb butt today. I kept very thorough data, and it took 9.5 hrs(!) to hit 195 (avg. pit temp was 254).
Questions:
-While it went on the smoker it was very cold (36*) Why did the small butt take so long to finish today? Ambient was 47, low to no wind. Charcoal ring was about 2/3 full of Kingsford. Empty, foil lined pan.
-If I’m shooting for around 6pm to eat, when should I start smoking? I have two options – start them the night before and keep it low, or start them when we wake up (7-8am) and go a bit higher, all the while allowing for a 30 min rest + pulling. Thoughts? What else have I forgotten? Any tips?
Thanks in advance!
Heading out for a Cub Scout camping trip next weekend, where I volunteered to help with the food. Pulled pork and beans are for dinner on Saturday night, and I’m thinking through logistics. Given 60ppl, I’m thinking somewhere on the order of 32 lbs total starting weight, which factors in a 40% loss. I have not purchased the butts yet, but assume they will be 8-9 lbs / piece, all smoked on an 18” WSM. As a practice, I smoked a 3.75 lb butt today. I kept very thorough data, and it took 9.5 hrs(!) to hit 195 (avg. pit temp was 254).
Questions:
-While it went on the smoker it was very cold (36*) Why did the small butt take so long to finish today? Ambient was 47, low to no wind. Charcoal ring was about 2/3 full of Kingsford. Empty, foil lined pan.
-If I’m shooting for around 6pm to eat, when should I start smoking? I have two options – start them the night before and keep it low, or start them when we wake up (7-8am) and go a bit higher, all the while allowing for a 30 min rest + pulling. Thoughts? What else have I forgotten? Any tips?
Thanks in advance!