Dilemma...

[cattech89]

Ok...friends I realize there will most likely be varying opinions on this question but I welcome any and all suggestions.

Next Sunday my wife and I are having a cookout and we will be having approximately 25 people. I'm going to try to recreate the butt that I just recently smoked and posted here. As an alternative for folks I also wanted to do some spare ribs and possibly some wings.

I'm going to use an 8-10 lb. butt and a 6 lb. rack of ribs. My issue lies with space...space on the smoker. I have the Smoke Hollow 4-1 and I'm concerned about having enough room to start the 16 hour process, give or take, for the butt and then having enough room to throw the ribs on whenever they need to start. ( this will be my first attempt at smoking ribs..............yeah I know, I'm nervous... )

So, should I smoke the ribs the day before and then throw them on the grill while the butt is resting to get a good char again? I don't really see much of another option...so that's why I'm looking for input.

Anything tips you can offer will be greatly appreciated!




Seth

 

[flyboys]

I once did a party for 50 people with the same menu as you.  The only difference was I only had a Weber Smokey Mountain.  I smoked the but the day before.  I pulled it and finished it with SoFlaQuers finishing sauce and my own bbq sauce.  I then stored it with my vacuum sealer.  When it was party time, I reheated the pork by leaving them in the bags and putting them in a pot of boiling water.  As for the ribs, I got up very early and did them the day of.  I used rib racks and cut the racks in half.  I did the 3-2-1 method and had to do it twice.  I kept them warm with sternos.  Everyting turned out good for me.  Hope this was helpful.

 

[flyboys]

Actually, I re-warmed the first round of ribs on my gas grill when it was time.  I just wrapped them in foil and gave them a spritz of apple cider and captain morgans.

 

[s2k9k]

I agree with Fly, I think the pulled pork will reheat better than the ribs and you can also reheat it in a crockpot, that way it will stay warm for the whole party!

 

[gary s]

Hello, I have done both. If you are having guests show up, pretty impressive to open your smoker and let them see perfectly cooked ribs coming off.  I live in East Texas a couple of chain BBQ joints pre cook their ribs, hold them and finish then off on the grill, they are not bad. They also do pork shoulder pretty much the same way. Whatever shoulders they don't sell that day, they put in the cooler and reheat the next day and pull it then. Kind'a up to you. My preference is the Ribs coming off the smoker, and warming the shoulder. Be sure and let your ribs rest a bit, shoulder got plenty of rest. 

Gary

 

[kathrynn]

I always do the pulled pork the day before.  AND...to me ribs are better that day.

My 2 cents.

Kat

 

[hambone1950]

 
I always do the pulled pork the day before.  AND...to me ribs are better that day.

My 2 cents.

Kat

agree 100% 

 

[jerry reddick]

Just another suggestion....

Since space is an issue, you might want smoke the butts and if you do a wrap of foil on them after about 6 hours, you can then finish them in the oven while you put your ribs on and do them with 3-2-1.  This should give you just about the proper finishing time for both items to be done on the same day and enjoyed at meal time together.  There is nothing wrong with smoking and then finishing in the oven.  I find I usually have to revert to that method in the wintertime where I am at anyway.

 

[cattech89]

Thanks to everyone for their replies, they are all greatly appreciated!
I think that settles it though, time to build a trailer mounted unit! Then I'd never have to worry about space! Ha!!! In time...

Nevertheless, I think the general consensus is that the butt handles reheating better than the ribs so Ill take that and run with it.
I'll post back to let you know how everything turns out. Thanks again for all of your willingness to help! What a great community!





Seth