**Help** First time smoking for a crowd.

[reloadmike78]

As it states, this is the first time for me cooking for a crowd, and not sure how much I need to do. The gathering is a "wake" for my wife's Aunt that passed away yesterday and I have about 35 people that I need to feed some PP Samiches. Problem is I don't know how much I'll get from each pork butt....They are fresh from our own hog, but don't know weights a such.

I've attached a pic to show you what I have thawing at the moment, 5 butts I would guess ranging between 3-5 lbs.

Thanks Everyone, glad to be back around here, it's been a while.

 

[bama bbq]

I've read on other threads that the basic formula is 1/4-1/3 lb. of meat per person, but that is finished weight. When you cook a pork butt you loosed approx. 40% of the uncooked weight, so if you start with a 10 lb. butt you only get approx. 6 lbs. of finished product.

 

[rp ribking]

x2 what Bama said

 

[mdboatbum]

You might get by with 4.  If they average 4 lbs, that's 16lbs raw weight. Figure 40% loss during cooking, you'll have a little under 10lbs cooked weight. That should get you your 1/4 pound per person with a slight margin for error. If it were me, I'd go ahead and do all 5. You'll not get in trouble for having too much food. Are you having sides as well?

 

[reloadmike78]

Thank you for the replies so far guys, I'm going to go ahead and do all 5 of them. As far as sides go, there are other members of the family that are going to take of those for me. I am going to do two different sauces, a mustard, and a thin red sauce as well as the finishing sauce to put on it before it's served.

I would like to be able to do all the sides myself, but this was such short notice(you don't plan on anyone dying that's in her 50's)and it's the least I can do for my wife's family.

Going to put the ole MES30/ AMNPS to test tonight/early am to get all this done by 2pm tomorrow, including getting to their location and getting set up.

Thanks for all the input, and if someone has more, I'll gladly take it.

Mike

 

[scarbelly]

The guys have steered you correct on the .40 loss and the portion size - you can always use any leftovers for family snacks later in the day

 

[reloadmike78]

Thanks Scarbelly, I appreciate it. Haven't been to Fallbrook since 07, I used to live at North Camp Pendleton, over by San Clemente.

 

[mickey jay]

So what's the 'heat' inside that Taurus box?
 

 

[scarbelly]

You were over on the side with the nice ocean views and breezes. Good luck with the smoke