Went Whole Hog With Arnold

[crewdawg52]

Never had done a whole hog before and have been talking about it for a couple of years now. So a buddy suggested (we were at our favorite watering hole) we do one, so we did. Started out with 20lbs of charcoal, divided into 4 piles (with a big chunk of apple) placed in each corner. Used hickory coals after that to maintain temps.

The pit bulild

Arnold's spine split to butterfly him out, injected and rubbed.



Wired up and ready for the homemade smoker.


Arnold was covered with foil, then steel sheets to keep the smoke and heat in

3 1/2 hrs later, the flip


Covered back up for another 3 hrs, then uncovered and let the skin crisp for 20 minutes with direct heat

Off the pit when the hams and shoulders reached 180-183* and let rest for about 40 minutes

Arnold being dismantled for the feast!

Was a great day for a pig roast. Just a few of the approx 80 people who came (the firepit was where the hickory was burnt).

 

[waysideranch]

Looks great. Nice smoke and build!

 

[blacklab]

Very cool!!!
Looks like you have done that once or twice

great job thanks for the pics.

 

[jjrokkett]

Looks like a great time with some great food! Too bad good ole' Arnold had to be the center of attention ....

 

[grothe]

Great job on your pig roast....real nice pics too!!

 

[fatback]

Great smoke and great pics! There should be a separate whole hog forum.
Where was the fire? Under the drip pans? And why the foil liner at the very bottom? How often did you have to add to the fire?

 

[txbbqman]

Nice Job, Thanks for Sharing

 

[cowgirl]

Wow...that looks just like my pit, drip pans and all!

Nice looking pig. :)

 

[cowgirl]

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/for...ad.php?t=58465
The hot coals go at the ends of the pit, the foil channels the grease away from the heat source to prevent flair ups...

 

[fatback]

Thank ya much.

 

[9manfan]

Man,, does that look like a Good Time,,,,, very nice,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[crewdawg52]

Heat source was in each corner. Foiled lined the bottom and lower two rows (of 4 rows) of cinder blocks to maintain the heat and act as sort of a convection oven/smoker. The foil pans were there to catch the drippings. Didnt want any grease fires. Had to add more hickory coals about every 2 or so hrs. Had a thermo prob hanging down at both ends to monitor the temps at the head and tail. Kept it at 275* or less. When the temps went below 200*, added more coals.

 

[gnubee]

Man that looked like fun, and tasty too.

How heavy was Arnold when He went into the pit?

Did you invite the Ziffels to the feast?

 

[billbo]

Cool! Quite an undertaking. Great job!

 

[bigbaldbbq]

Looks great. Good job!

 

[bigsteve]

Reminds me of "A Christmas story" where Ralphies' family couldn't eat the Duck because it was smiling at them.

 

[jerseyhunter]

Wow that looks great.

 

[rw willy]

Nice work. Next on the list of things to do.
I did one in a cooker for my 40 Bday. Added to much charcoal and he burned up a little. Still good eats.
Yours looks much better, congrats

 

[fire it up]

Wow, that was great.
Amazing post and such excellent Qview! Great job prepping for what had to be one hell of a party.

 

[isutroutbum]

Very cool! Thanks for posting!!