Page 1
Page 1
Started By
Message

BBQ math - what size smoker do I need?

Posted on 5/7/20 at 2:26 am
Posted by OldHickory
New Orleans
Member since Apr 2012
10810 posts
Posted on 5/7/20 at 2:26 am
Assuming I can get the pork butts, what size trailer smoker do I need? Trying to feed approximately 300 people. At 1/4 lb per person, plus sides, that puts me at 75 lbs of meat.
Posted by pdubya76
Sw Ms
Member since Mar 2012
6537 posts
Posted on 5/7/20 at 3:28 am to
I built a vertical cabinet smoker about 3 years ago. It’s 7.5’ tall, 3.5 ft wide and 2 ft deep. The most I’ve had on it is 16 butts at a time for fundraiser. That’s approximately 150-160 lbs of meat.
Posted by ruger35
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Feb 2009
1681 posts
Posted on 5/7/20 at 4:43 am to
How often are you feeding 300 people? Do you need to cook sides on the same pit at the same time? Other meats for the 300 people? Will it double as a backyard pit? Need more information that what you provided to properly determine the size.
Posted by OldHickory
New Orleans
Member since Apr 2012
10810 posts
Posted on 5/7/20 at 5:26 am to
No, this is a one-time deal. Unless I can’t co-op one. If I can’t, I’ll have one made and keep it.

Basically what I’m trying to do is find someone with a large smoker here in New Orleans willing to sacrifice their equipment and time. I’ll buy the butts, beer, and fuel. Sides will be made by the neighbors. If the pit owner is with Hogs for the Cause, we’ll publicize the heck out of it.

I don’t know exactly how to go about all this. I just know that I love my little neighborhood, I love good pulled pork, I have a big side yard, and I’d love to feed a bunch of people some really good food.

Who knows... feeling blessed and want to bless others.
Posted by ruger35
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Feb 2009
1681 posts
Posted on 5/7/20 at 6:59 am to
Maybe get with Gonzo's Smokehouse. He is in/around New Orleans. He has twin 500 gallon Mill Scale smokers on a trailer. He may pull it to your house and cater for you, or just smoke them at his shop and bring it over. If not, I'd be looking for at least a 24x60 if not a 250 gallon if you want it all on there at the same time.
Posted by OldHickory
New Orleans
Member since Apr 2012
10810 posts
Posted on 5/7/20 at 7:04 am to
Thank you, Ruger. I’ve been following him. What he’s doing with smoked beef cheeks and beef cheek pastrami looks incredible. Seems like good people.
Posted by ruger35
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Feb 2009
1681 posts
Posted on 5/7/20 at 7:42 am to
He does, I've talked to him a few times through Instagram once we figured out he was dating someone I knew from my younger years. I want to try his food, but hard to make the time to get out to Nola right now. He could probably fit everything y'all want to do on one of his smokers.
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 1Next pagelast page
refresh

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on X, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookXInstagram