On The rack X3 - - HELP

[mab007]

Gals and Guys: 

I have a MES 40 with three possible rack placements, The lowest possible rack placement is for the drip pan.  I have three birds, 10# - 13# each.  Two will fit on a rack side by side. My plan is to put the two smaller birds on the lower rack, and the larger bird on the upper.  Temperature swings between the two rack placements might be severe.  Question, how much lead time do I start the two smaller birds, (11# and 12# respectively) before putting the larger bird in on top.  Or, do I put the two larger birds in on bottom, and smaller bird on top, again, how much lead time?

Plan is to start smoke @9am for a late afternoon / early evening feast this Saturday 12/24/16

Any theories or strategies would be welcome.  Cannot use an alternative cooking method, all birds must be smoked.  They all don't need to be done at the same exact time, but would like them to be close together.  

Moving the racks mid smoke will be a problem, as I have to acrobatically maneuver the top bird into position at the beginning of the smoke, as the lip of the MES does not allow for front load, so I have to lift bird up behind rack, then slide rack into place.  Photo illustrates rack placement, jug in photo illustrates size of bird, silver cup in top rack illustrates MES top lip which hangs down.

I have placed the 11# bird in top, and there is about an inch clearance above bird to top of inside MES.

Thanks in advance.

 

[rca dog]

I don't think I would try this myself, but here goes.

I'm just theorizing here, but I would not put all the birds in at the same time, because of the difference in temp from top to bottom.  You will have juices from the less cooked bird(s) dripping onto the more cooked birds(s), which doesn't seem like a good idea, from a food safety point of view.  I could be totally out to lunch on that, like I said, just theorizing.

I think if I had to do it, I would put the smallest bird in the bottom first, give it a couple hours, then move on to the top, and put the 2 smaller birds on the bottom.  I would have a temp probe in each bird.

Does your smoker get to 325 ?  I have a Bradley, and it won't even get close.

Like I said, just theorizing.  I'm sure someone with more knowledge will be along shortly.