How to keep 35 game hens warm after smoking !

[bobhare1]

Am smoking game hens for a farm to table be benefit and am looking for ideas on how to keep them warm. Can cook maybe 12 at a time on my smoker so some will have to warm for 3 hrs? Worried about overlooking and drying out. Anybody?

 

[themule69]

Due to the possibility of violating the 40° -140° for 4 hours rule I would see if you can find a larger or second grill.

I see this is your first post. When you get a chance will you drop by roll call so everyone can give you a proper SMF welcome.

Happy smoken.

David 

 

[oldschoolbbq]

Bob , as David said , you need to observe the 40*F to 140*F rule when cooking . This means you should take your Hens out of the Refridgerator  (which is at 40*F) and cook them to

an internal temp. in the Breast  , of 140F in 4 hrs. This can be done easily ( they shouldn't take more than 1.5hrs. to cook)  , place the cooked ones in a foil package (wrap them ) and

place them in an ice cooler (empty of course) wrapped in towels and a blanket . This method will hold them safely and will not dry them out for up to 6 hrs,  you should be at the

gathering and have your 'hot' chicken as well.

Have fun and  . . .

 

[bmaddox]

Am smoking game hens for a farm to table be benefit and am looking for ideas on how to keep them warm. Can cook maybe 12 at a time on my smoker so some will have to warm for 3 hrs? Worried about overlooking and drying out. Anybody?

What size are the game hens? If they are relatively small I would worry about them having enough thermal mass to maintain their heat even in a cooler. If you smoke them to 165 that is a short drop to 140 and once they hit 140 you should either be eating them or refrigerating them.

You might be able to break them down and place them into a chaffing dish but you will need some sort of sauce as that will probably dry them out.

 

[bobhare1]

Thanks so much for the advice. I sort of had that idea in mind. I have time to experiment so I am going to experiment with a handful in a small cooler and will share my results with y'all. Thanks again, bob