How many butts can...
- Thread starter Jon MI
- Start date
Joe McManus
TVWBB All-Star
Jon,
4 will fit with no problems.
If you're good, you can get 6 7lbers on there
4 will fit with no problems.
If you're good, you can get 6 7lbers on there
Steve Petrone
TVWBB Platinum Member
30 lbs. of butt can take a little longer...20-22hrs.
I did the grate mod where you use threaded rod, washers and wing nuts to add another grate. You can get plenty more on there if you want. I did 5 picnics from a little over 7 pounds to just under 10. It did take a little longer, but not as much as I thought. I think the Guru helps with that. Gets things back up to temps quicker.
I don't find the amount of meat adds significantly to the time of the cook. But, like Bob, maybe the Guru helps with that. I do, however, find that my consumption of fuel goes up since there is more meat to sink the heat. When I cook 4 butts at a time, I expect to only add another hour to the overall cook.
Oh, and to answer your actual question, 4 7# butts should fit flat on the grates just fine. Remember to leave a lit bit of air space between them. It may not be necessary, but I move rotate the butts between the bottom grate and the top grate at about the 8 hour mark. There's nothing magic about that number other than that's when I wake up after putting the butts on before bed the night before
Oh, and to answer your actual question, 4 7# butts should fit flat on the grates just fine. Remember to leave a lit bit of air space between them. It may not be necessary, but I move rotate the butts between the bottom grate and the top grate at about the 8 hour mark. There's nothing magic about that number other than that's when I wake up after putting the butts on before bed the night before
The amount shouldn't change times as long as there is ample space between them. I think if you were to cram three on one grate where there wouldn't be space then you basically have a 20# piece of meat.
I might have to do the extra grate thing. I would like to cook 6 if possible. I might have to borrow a second cooker too. I may have to do even more!
Either way, it sure should be interesting!
I might have to do the extra grate thing. I would like to cook 6 if possible. I might have to borrow a second cooker too. I may have to do even more!
Either way, it sure should be interesting!
My experience with 4 butts is that the time is greater, maybe by a couple of hours than with my typical 2. The issue, imo, is that with this very large heat sink (30 lbs of raw meat) it takes a good bit longer to get the pit into cooking temp range. I try to have the meat out of the frig for an hour to let it get to room temp. If using water, start with very hot water. Finally be prepared to add some fuel after 14 or so hours.
Paul
Paul
adam clyde
TVWBB Pro
Jon -
I've done 6 butts on my WSM before (all around the same size as yours). They touch quite a bit at first, but after a few hours, they shrink and are fine. It does take a bit longer... as others have said, count on a few extra hours. But it isn't a huge difference. Once the butts have shrunken down, it is essentially the same as any other cook. Just start with a few more lit briquettes than usual and it gets to temp about as quickly too.
Ditto what paul said about using hot water.
Try it out once with 6 and see how it goes. If you don't like the results, then you can migrate to a second smoker!
I've done 6 butts on my WSM before (all around the same size as yours). They touch quite a bit at first, but after a few hours, they shrink and are fine. It does take a bit longer... as others have said, count on a few extra hours. But it isn't a huge difference. Once the butts have shrunken down, it is essentially the same as any other cook. Just start with a few more lit briquettes than usual and it gets to temp about as quickly too.
Ditto what paul said about using hot water.
Try it out once with 6 and see how it goes. If you don't like the results, then you can migrate to a second smoker!