Packing the pit

[lemans]

So I have a big party next weekend. I will be smoking 2 pork butts #8 and a brisket the same weight..
I probally could fit them all on my char griller
50-50 . But I was wondering how much will all three increase the overall time?
Or am I better off splitting them between two smokers?

 

[noboundaries]

Assuming you have a constant temp across your grate and no cold spots, and all three pieces are 8 lbs, then that shouldn't increase your time, just your fuel usage.  24 lbs of meat is a pretty big heat sink though and can contribute to uneven heating.  Uneven heating will increase your time more than anything else.  Rotate the meat positions every couple hours or so should even things out.   

You'll need more fuel and air to keep the temps up where you want them when you have that much cold meat on the grate.  People think things like water, sand, bricks, etc are the only heat sinks.  Nope.  Anything with mass you put in a smoker that has to absorb heat is a heat sink, that includes the meat. 

If all three fit on one smoker, just use the one.  

Personally, I'd do the butts on one day and the brisket the next.  I think pulled pork tastes better the second day while brisket is best the day it is smoked. That's just a personal preference though and others may think differently.       

 

[gary s]

Sorry, late to the party, as long as you maintain a consistent temp in your smoke chamber it doesn't matter if you are smoking 1 butt or 6. the only thing that varies the cook time is the meat itself. I smoked 2 butts, 5 racks of ribs 5 lbs of sausage, boudin, and hot links. everything cooked liked it was supposed to, by placing them on the smoker at different times it was all ready at the same time.

Gary S

 

[oldschoolbbq]

Yes, Gary has it right . . .

Betty 004.JPG

• oldschoolbbq
• Nov 1, 2012

Have fun and . . .