What to do, what to do

[Jason R]

Hello all, this is my first post... A bit about me, I've been smoking and grilling on kettles for 5 years.
I've been tasked with cooking some butts on this pull behind smoker that I've never used. In fact was just sent a picture of the thing. I'm doing a test run tonight with 4 8 lb butts to get a feel for it. Next weekend it's full go for a 400 person event.

My question is, will I be ok using royal lump for the entire cook? Plan was to add a full layer of lump in the smoker box and then a full lit chimney on top, kind of the minion method. Throwing in some apple or cherry wood chunks as well.

Let me know thoughts, appreciate it.

 

[ristau5741]

Well, it's a test isn't it? I don't see any problems, other than keeping the smoking temps in a suitable range.
But do test it out and post the results.

 

[buzzy]

Hello & Welcome. Sorry can’t help u out. I don’t have any experience with that type of smoker but someone will be along to give guidance. U came to right place

 

[SmokinAl]

That is a stick burner, I would get a good bed of charcoal going then start adding wood splits the rest of the cook.
On a smoker that size you will probably have to add a good sized split every half hour or so.
Al

 

[Jason R]

I don't have access to wood splits, only chunks.

 

[jbellard]

Jason,
I would run it for 3-4 hrs just to get a feel for the smoker. You might be able to find some splits somewhere if you asked around. I know I can always find something. Just gotta ask.
See how well (or not) it holds the heat and check out where the hot spots are so you can come up with a plan for moving the meat around.
Will you have enough rack space to feed 400 on that smoker? You probably talking 30-40 pork butts. Just a question. Better to think about it now than when your feet are in the fire

 

[Jason R]

I'll give it a shot and let you know how it goes. For 400 heads at 4 oz pp per person I'm thinking around 13 8 lb butts if my math is correct.

400 people * 4 oz = 1600 oz / 16 ounces in a pound = 100 pounds

I know there's some sort of yield in there for raw vs cooked...

 

[texomakid]

That is one heck of a cooker. I'm no expert I this area but I agree with Jbellard. For 400 people I think you're gonna need more than 13 butts. I'm guessing at least double that. Maybe some of the others that's done this will chime in and give their advice. Good luck and I'll be watching for more info and you're results. Photos are a plus.

 

[Jason R]

Typically would calculate pulled pork sandwiches at 1/4 pound per person.
4 oz * 400 = 1600 oz
1600 oz = 100 pounds
100/8(8 lb butts) = 12.5 butts

 

[weedeater]

That is definitely a reverse flow stick burner. I’m sure if you ask around you can find someone who has some seasoned oak for their fireplace that would work fine. Tends to work best if the logs are split fairly small so they catch up fast. 13 butts is going to be way short of what you need. My experience is that you get a yield of about 60 percent of starting weight after cooking. That would put you at needing to cook about 21 or 22 eight lb. butts. Looks to me like it will take two cooks on that smoker to get that many butts done. No way you will be able to squeeze that many on in a single run. Good luck with it and post some pics.

Weedeater

 

[Jason R]

Thanks for the input

 

[phatbac]

You probably can find wood splits on craigslist. i know you can order different wood splits online but that gets expensive. i have gotten boxes of wood splits off eBay too. last i order it was like $4 for the splits and $18 for shipping for a decent size box of splits. but i solved all that when i found a landscaper (on craigslist) who always has spare wood trimming and fire wood for sale. Look around you can find wood. if you use RO and chunks you will spend a couple hundred in just RO and chunks on a big smoke like that.

Hope this Helps,
phatbac (Aaron)

 

[phatbac]

Typically would calculate pulled pork sandwiches at 1/4 pound per person.
4 oz * 400 = 1600 oz
1600 oz = 100 pounds
100/8(8 lb butts) = 12.5 butts

Oh btw: your math is off. an 8lb butt does not yield 8lb of meat. good rule of thumb is you get about 65% cook yield (rendering fat, bone etc.) so about 5 lb of meat from an 8 lb butt. now i would estimate 6-8 oz of met per person but lets go with your 4oz of meat.
so that is 4 person per lb or 20 people per butt. so you would need 20 butts (20x20=400) to feed 400 people. but I would at least go 30 for 6 oz person. it is better to have a little extra than not enough and if you do 13 butts you will have about 150 people hungry.

Happy Smoking,
phatbac (Aaron)