Can I get 4 butts on a kettle?

[rogwadd]

I've got 4 butts (about 32lbs) ready to go tonight. Got my rub put together and my injection cooling on the stove top. My cooker is a Weber 22" with a firebrick setup.

The problem is I don't think I've got enough room for the 4. Did 3 last July 4th and that was a tight fit and created the biggest cleanup mess I've ever experienced.

I saw in the recent 6 butt thread that someone owning an egg used a rack on the first layer of butts and placed their final one on that rack. Brilliant! But I think I'm right up against the lid. So i don't think I can stack.

I'm going to set my bricks so my coal area is smaller (usually allocate about a third of my grill space).

Do I try cooking them on their sides? Wedge some foil here and there for separation? Try wedging one over my unlit charcoal and move them around as my fire burns around? I can't remember how much shrinkage I got on my previous cooks and am wondering how the setup will fit toward the end of the cook.

What's the most you got in a kettle and how were you setup? I'm afraid I'll have to save the 4th one for a later date.

Really appreciate any input you guys can provide.

Roger.

[rogwadd]

Here's a pic of the three I did last year.

[CarolinaQue]

I think that 4 is pushing the limit on a kettle. You may try laying them on their sides and having one running perpendicular to the other 3. I'm afraid that you won't have much room for charcoal though and may need to reload a few times. There will also be a lot of rotation for even cooking.

[2ndchance]

If you had a Smokenator You could put 2 low and 2 high and when you reload charcoal switch positions.

[Meat Burner]

Rog, that's impressive bro!

[kevine]

I read one post about a guy standing butts on end in a UDS. That may work for you

[Cook]

For four butts I would ditch your current setup in favor of the "ring" method. Find something large and round...like a fire ring, coal basket, water pan, etc...something that will sit in the center of your coal grate and leave a few inches room around the outside edge. Place coals 90% around the outside edge of the kettle leaving a gap of a few inches somewhere. Place some wood chunks or chips here and there around the ring of coals. Then start yourself some hot coals in a chimney (5-10 should be enough). Place those live coals on one end of the ring being careful not to start BOTH ends burning. The coals will burn in one direction and make their way around the kettle...slowly burning for hours.

This will give you plenty of room for four butts right smack in the middle of the top grate as you don't have to push everything over to one side.

This method will work for you if you dare to take the challenge.

[Cast Iron Chef]

If you got a Mrs. now's the time where you need to get a WSM.

[Groundhog66]

By the looks of your pic (great looking butts), I think 4 is asking too much.

[Cook]

Originally Posted by Groundhog66

By the looks of your pic (great looking butts), I think 4 is asking too much.

Four is too much with that setup, but not if he changes it.