Butts for the boss

[gruelurks]

My boss at work calls me and asks if I can smoke enough pork butts for 30 people next weekend. Say he'll pay me the cost of the meat and supplies plus a "quite of bit extra" to make it worth my time. Only problem is I'm leaving for Chicago Wednesday morning and his party is next Saturday and Sunday. I hopped down the the local butcher and picked up a couple butts totaling 14.5 lbs and got them rubbed up with some mainstream rub from McCormicks. I used a store rub as I haven't had time to replenish my spice cabinet this week and didn't have time to do so today. Got the MES heating up to 250 since it's chilly outside at 45 degrees today, but at least the sun is shining.

I plan to pull them around 200 later tonight, then cooler them for an hour or so, then pull and pack them in to freezer bags to hold them through the week. He is going to thaw them out the night before then reheat them in the oven in a foil-covered pan until they get warm again the day of the first party.

 

[jdsmith]

I'm no expert, but I have my doubts that 14.5 lbs is gonna feed 30 people. I smoked 2 butts yesterday that totalled 16 pounds or so, and looking at the freezer bags I got them sitting in, I have a hard time seeing what I made feeding 30 people.

Just my 2 cents.

BTW, I had one of my flat irons yesterday. On the smoker for a couple hours then seared real quick on the firebox side. I let it get a little too done for my liking, but it was still real good.

 

[gruelurks]

Thanks for the feedback, there is going to be other meat as well, burgers and brats, so we figured between those meats and these butts there should be enough. I figured out of 14.5 lbs of raw butt, I should be able to get 7 lbs of pulled pork, which should be enough. Once I get done with it tonight, I can see what the outcome is and always smoke another one tomorrow if we think there won't be enough.

 

[rickw]

Sounds like a good plan to me. You should get more like 10lbs (30% shrinkage) of pulled pork from 14.5 lbs of raw pork shoulder. Figuring 1/4 lb per person you should have more than enough.

Good luck.

 

[bmudd14474]

Looks like a good start. If I was you I would do a third butt. Cant wait to see the finished product.

 

[chefrob]

who can argue against more butt!

 

[gruelurks]

We just talked it over again and he said to grab another one, he want's to make sure he has leftovers for him and his wife for the following week. Bonus, he's paying me $100 to cover the cost of the meat and rubs, the rest is mine to keep.

Too bad Kroger doesn't start their butt sale here until tomorrow, I had to get them at $1.79 lb this time. :-(

 

[alx]

Looking good.Will stay tuned.....

 

[beer-b-q]

Looks Great So Far...

 

[gruelurks]

Just checked to see if the water pan was holding out, so far so good! Top one is about to hit 170, I'm going to pull and foil it when it does, as it's a bit smaller than the one below it. Plus I want to keep as much moisture as possible in there since they won't get served until next weekend.

 

[gruelurks]

Actually right after I posted the last one, the thermo went off for Junior. I pulled and wrapped him in some foil with apple juice and Captain Morgans.

 

[rickw]

They are looking really nice.

 

[bmudd14474]

so far so good.

 

[gruelurks]

Junior just came out of the cooler and got pulled right as Big Daddy hit 200 and started beeping. This was the smaller of the two butts, I think it was just about 6 lbs when it started. Couple hours of rest for the 2nd one then it's time to crash.

 

[scarbelly]

That is some good looking product - congrats on a very succesful smoke
Thanks for posting

 

[gruelurks]

Humble thanks Scar. I just got done pulling the big one, it literally shattered like Feyd-Rautha as I dumped it out of the foil in to the pulling pan. We'll see if the boss wants one more or not after these two butts, which filled three 1 gallon freezer bags.

 

[scarbelly]

From personal experience - you can really stretch the meat by using 3" sliders with about 2oz of meat. The sliders are so popular that folks eating a second one is exciting to them - just add some cole slaw or a finishing sauce in a small plastic cup and you are serving them an over the top product
Good luck

 

[cowgirl]

Mmmmm Grue, looks perfect!

 

[cheapchalee]

Looks real good. Well I hope everyone enjoys it, and I'm sure they will.

Charlie

 

[randocammando]

Nice job cant wait for the bosses review