How much wood for whole hog pit

[scvinegarpepper]

It's been a decade at least since I've done a whole hog. But I've got some coming up for Christmas, and I'm doing some planning now. I've searched high and low but can't find an answer for this. I'm trying to figure out if a half cord of wood would be enough or I should get a full cord. I'll be doing it on a cinder block pit, ~100 lb pig, all wood no charcoal. Thanks for any advice.

 

[HalfSmoked]

Enough to cook he pig done.
I would think 1/2 cord is more than enough. Do you burn your wood separate and shovel the coals into the pit with the pig?

Warren

 

[scvinegarpepper]

Enough to cook he pig done.
I would think 1/2 cord is more than enough. Do you burn your wood separate and shovel the coals into the pit with the pig?

Warren

Yep, that’s right. I’ve got a burn barrel to burn the wood down to embers and shovel those in.

 

[HalfSmoked]

What time frame do you think it will take to cook 100 lb pig? You have a cover on the pit?

Warren

 

[scvinegarpepper]

What time frame do you think it will take to cook 100 lb pig? You have a cover on the pit?

Warren

Yep, got a cover/hood for it. As for time, as long as it takes for it to be ready ;) In all seriousness I’m not sure. I’m counting on at least 12 hours, but giving myself 16 just in case.

 

[HalfSmoked]

Hood will make a difference. Post a thread on the cook with photos I will be waiting.

Warren

 

[fivetricks]

I hope you're talking face cord, not full cords. I would plan on 12-14 hours depending on how you're cooking it.

Offset or shoveled coals directly underneath animal?

Are your blocks sealed/suuper level and without any gaps between blocks and filled with sand?

I can run my 32x64 or whatever it is on one or maybe 2 splits per hour after it's warmed, but it's sealed super tight. When it wasn't I was going adding 2-4 splits every 10-15 mins. It was a nightmare.