Post by: syoungs on August 07, 2018, 07:59:13 PM
This is for a backyard wedding.
My tools!
I've got a rental open face bbq, 6' x30" or so, a char griller dual fuel propane/charcoal grill (my personal grill I know well), a Bradley smoker, a little chief smoker and a 3 burner expedition camp chef with a professional griddle. (Full size)
Normally I loosely follow a 3-2-1 method for my ribs, but I dont have the space to get 16 racks done, along with 2 butts.
So how do I make 16 racks of fall off the bone ribs, 2 butts (for pulled pork) and a ton of sausages cooked?!
I'm thinking the sausages will go on the open face grill, easy enough, then move over to the griddle along with grilled onions and peppers for serving.
Ribs will take turns going into the smokers for about an hour or so a load, just to get some flavor, hit the open face grill wrapped in foil with apple juice and seasonings for a couple hours nice and low, then 45 min to an hour before serving, come out of the foil and on to direct heat to finish/sauce
Probably stuck doing the butts over night so I can pull it in the am then reheat before service. If I do this I'll probably stick all the pulled/lightly sauced meat into a dutch oven for re-heating and to serve out of.
Backyard wedding is camping themed, and I've been asked to serve from my typical camp kitchen setup, right off grills and dutch ovens, etc.
How would you guys with more experience doing larger cooks handle it!?
Post by: Blacklab on August 07, 2018, 08:30:45 PM
Post by: 92xj on August 07, 2018, 08:38:21 PM
What time is the first guest serving their plate?
Also, cut each rack of ribs in half. Going to be a lot easier to manage the ribs in half rack form and fit puzzle piece wise on the cooking surface.
Cook butts during the night.
Or, depending on what time and day you are serving. Bring me the two butts and I will smoke them for you, wrap in foil and deliver to you hot, so you can pull and serve.
Post by: 92xj on August 07, 2018, 08:41:34 PM
Post by: 92xj on August 07, 2018, 08:46:14 PM
Get a huge pot of beer, heat beer with sliced onions in it on the 3 burner. Place all your brats in the beer and let them do their thing. Right before service, pull brats, slap on the hot open face for grill marks and serve. That way all will be completely cooked in the beer, not dry and no worry of any undercooked meat. Leaving the open face free 95% of the time for your half racks of ribs.
Post by: syoungs on August 07, 2018, 09:09:27 PM
I'm thinking I'll smoke the butts starting tomorrow or thursday so I dont have to worry about them.
Great idea on the beer brats, dont know why I didnt think of that.
Cutting ribs to 1/2 racks is a good idea too, these are where I'm coming up with the most trouble. Normally I use my Bradley smoker to do ribs until the last bit when they hit the grill.
I think I can get the ribs packed onto the char griller to get the first 5 hours of cooking done, and finish on the rental bbq, worst case I split the ribs between the char griller and Bradley I guess...
How much leeway do I have with ribs? If I start them early and they are finished by say 5 or so, would they make it to 6-630 on a warmer of some type, or maybe have them cooked to the point of putting them on direct heat and saucing them early even?
First guest is served at 615pm approx. You know how these things go though...
Post by: WSU on August 07, 2018, 09:21:11 PM
Post by: syoungs on August 07, 2018, 09:30:28 PM
Its basically a bbq grate that's got a box for charcoal under it. No lid or anything. Would be killer for steaks or burgers.
Post by: Dhoey07 on August 07, 2018, 09:45:46 PM
Post by: bracer40 on August 07, 2018, 10:59:20 PM
Pressure cook half the ribs and finish them on the grill. Sounds weird but they’re damn good that way.
:yeah:
So much easier, quicker and sooo good this way!!
Post by: syoungs on August 08, 2018, 04:01:05 AM
Post by: 92xj on August 08, 2018, 06:02:24 AM
I'd also buy some premade hamburgers as a back up if the pork goes all to hell. Those and the brats are easily done on the open face.
Post by: syoungs on August 08, 2018, 07:17:36 AM
I'd be tempted to bake the ribs in a covered foil tray for a few hours, then pull out, throw over a single layer of charcoal that is burned down some to sauce and finish the last hour before cooking.
I'd also buy some premade hamburgers as a back up if the pork goes all to hell. Those and the brats are easily done on the open face.
failure is not an option :chuckle:
I'm gonna pre cook tonight and test some ideas.
My other idea is to get my new brother in law a nice Bradley smoker as a wedding present, and "pre-season" it for him cooking for the wedding lol
Post by: 92xj on August 08, 2018, 07:26:13 AM
If you need, I'd be glad to throw those butts on my cooker Friday night and have them finished up around early afternoon Saturday and deliver them back to you, ready to be pulled. If you get in a pinch...
Post by: syoungs on August 08, 2018, 07:29:42 AM
Roger that.
If you need, I'd be glad to throw those butts on my cooker Friday night and have them finished up around early afternoon Saturday and deliver them back to you, ready to be pulled. If you get in a pinch...
I truly appreciate that offer!
I think I'm gonna go ahead and do those tomorrow through the night, so Friday morning I can pull it and vacuum pack it up.
Post by: Stein on August 08, 2018, 08:35:00 AM
Post by: PA BEN on August 08, 2018, 10:13:48 AM
Post by: Woodchuck on August 08, 2018, 10:29:10 AM
Post by: Blacklab on August 08, 2018, 05:43:06 PM
Post by: Pnwrider on August 08, 2018, 07:12:39 PM
Post by: syoungs on August 08, 2018, 07:31:54 PM
You can borrow my big propane smoker for the weekend if you need. It is a 44in Smoke Hollow. :dunno:
That's a great offer, I appreciate it!
I just did a "dry run", and think I've got the space to cover it in 2 batches pretty easy, if I do the pulled pork early.
Thanks for all the advice everyone! I'll post results soon lol!
Post by: duramax on August 08, 2018, 08:38:11 PM
Post by: 92xj on August 13, 2018, 01:32:05 PM
Post by: syoungs on October 11, 2018, 09:58:37 AM
Success?
I forgot about this thread, definitely success! Dont think I took any pictures though :/
Post by: Woodchuck on October 11, 2018, 10:09:47 AM
:ban:Success?
I forgot about this thread, definitely success! Dont think I took any pictures though :/
Post by: pianoman9701 on October 11, 2018, 10:31:51 AM
:yike: :bdid: :ban:Success?
I forgot about this thread, definitely success! Dont think I took any pictures though :/
Post by: bigdave on October 11, 2018, 11:48:28 AM
Post by: Westside88 on October 11, 2018, 01:09:47 PM