Best way to cool #120 of pork butts

CrimsonSmoke · 09-02-2013, 05:26 PM

I am finishing up 120 pounds of pork butts for an event that is on Wednesday evening. I really don't want to pull all of it want to leave some whole so they can pull as needed. My question is what is best way to cool down after I take out of cooler. They are about 4 pounds cooked. Can I cool them down whole or should I cut them in half then cool. I do have a foodsaver. Thanks in advance for the help.

cpw · 09-02-2013, 05:53 PM

At 4 pounds cooked, I think they'd be fine left whole, or maybe just split in two. I think the best way (and safest way) to do it is stick the butts in ziploc bags then put them in a cooler full of ice, then cover with ice. With that much pork you'll probably need more than 1 cooler and you'll have to do it in batches. Once the pork is cooled from the ice bath, you can stick in the fridge.

jonboy · 09-02-2013, 05:53 PM

How are you going to reheat them?
jon

landarc · 09-02-2013, 06:04 PM

I would split them in two, vacuum pack once you can handle them, then crash cool in a cooler full of ice and water. The water is the key, it pulls the heat from the butts much faster than cold air.

gtr · 09-02-2013, 06:29 PM

When I do large amounts of pulled pork I pull it all, vac seal in 3# bags (gallon size works well and mash 'em kinda flat for easier reheating). I do the last couple/few bags in 2# and 1# sizes so at the end I'm not reheating more than necessary. I reheat by boiling in the bag. Works great for me, YMMV.

wjwheeler · 09-02-2013, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtr

When I do large amounts of pulled pork I pull it all, vac seal in 3# bags (gallon size works well and mash 'em kinda flat for easier reheating). I do the last couple/few bags in 2# and 1# sizes so at the end I'm not reheating more than necessary. I reheat by boiling in the bag. Works great for me, YMMV.

Please forgive a dumb east Tennessee boy, but is it safe to boil the vac bags to reheat the pork?

IamMadMan · 09-02-2013, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wjwheeler

Please forgive a dumb east Tennessee boy, but is it safe to boil the vac bags to reheat the pork?

Some vac-pac bags, like Weston, are safe for using as a boil-in bag. But not all bags are created equal, many others are not...

Pyle's BBQ · 09-02-2013, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wjwheeler

Please forgive a dumb east Tennessee boy, but is it safe to boil the vac bags to reheat the pork?

Yes it is safe. The bags are sealed and won't let any water into the bag. If you have a bag that has air in it, do not try this method. That bag will have a hole in it and let water in.

gtr · 09-02-2013, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wjwheeler

Please forgive a dumb east Tennessee boy, but is it safe to boil the vac bags to reheat the pork?

As another dumb East TN boy lemme answer (grew up in Knoxville & spent a night in Cleveland once - although the visit was unplanned, involuntary and in a, um, "controlled environment") - I don't know about all bags, but the Foodsaver ones work just fine and I think are designed for it. You don't want the bags resting on the bottom of the pot though, 'cause then they'll melt due to the direct heat. I don't think I've ever had a problem with them sitting on the bottom of the pot.

CrimsonSmoke · 09-02-2013, 07:56 PM

Thanks for all the advice. Doing just as you guys suggest and putting in 3# bags and crash cooling then sealing.

HBMTN · 09-02-2013, 08:16 PM

Gallon sided ziplock bags and put 3-4lbs per bag. Push the air out, and drop in an ice slurry bath to cool them. Personally I have found that it takes just as long to bag, cool and then reheat large quantities of pork like this that it is just as easy to cook it fresh.

09-02-2013, 05:53 PM	#2
cpw Babbling Farker Join Date: 02-28-11 Location: Savannah, Georgia Name/Nickname : Chad	At 4 pounds cooked, I think they'd be fine left whole, or maybe just split in two. I think the best way (and safest way) to do it is stick the butts in ziploc bags then put them in a cooler full of ice, then cover with ice. With that much pork you'll probably need more than 1 cooler and you'll have to do it in batches. Once the pork is cooled from the ice bath, you can stick in the fridge. __________________ ________________ [COLOR=Orange]Outlaw 2860 Porch Model[/COLOR] Lang 84 Deluxe Yoder YS640 Savannah, GA [URL="http://www.facebook.com/yesdearbbq"]Yes, Dear BBQ on Facebook[/URL] Proudly sponsored by Royal Oak Charcoal and [URL="https://www.atlantabbqstore.com/"]The Atlanta BBQ store[/URL]

09-02-2013, 06:04 PM	#4
landarc somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 06-26-09 Location: sAn leAnDRo, CA	I would split them in two, vacuum pack once you can handle them, then crash cool in a cooler full of ice and water. The water is the key, it pulls the heat from the butts much faster than cold air. __________________ [COLOR=DarkGreen][COLOR=DarkRed][SIZE=1]me: I don't drink anymore Yelonutz: me either, but, then again, I don't drink any less [/SIZE][/COLOR][/COLOR][SIZE=1][COLOR=DarkRed] [COLOR=Pink]SSS[/COLOR] [/COLOR][/SIZE]

09-02-2013, 06:29 PM	#5
gtr somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 10-16-10 Location: Culver City, CA	When I do large amounts of pulled pork I pull it all, vac seal in 3# bags (gallon size works well and mash 'em kinda flat for easier reheating). I do the last couple/few bags in 2# and 1# sizes so at the end I'm not reheating more than necessary. I reheat by boiling in the bag. Works great for me, YMMV. __________________ 50" Klose BYC, Spitjack XB85, 22.5 WSM, Backwoods Chubby, UDS, WRK, 26" & 22.5" Weber Kettles, Jumbo Joe, WGA, WSJ/MUDS, Kanka Grill, a piece of expanded metal I throw over the fire pit sometimes, Stealthy Black & Vol Orange Thermapens Displaced East Tennesseean Proud recipient of a Tick Former outlaw MOINK baller, now IMBAS Certified, but still lookin' over my shoulder. "Relax, it's only BBQ." - Bigmista, 2013 "Don't worry about playing a lot of notes. Just find one pretty one." - Miles Davis Avatar by my son! WTFWGALD?

09-02-2013, 07:56 PM	#10
CrimsonSmoke is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 07-14-06 Location: Huntsville Alabama	Thanks for all the advice. Doing just as you guys suggest and putting in 3# bags and crash cooling then sealing. __________________ CrimsonSmoke Cook - Wesley Pit Boss - Kyle 2 Bandera 1 ECB 1 Royal Oak

09-02-2013, 05:26 PM	#1
CrimsonSmoke is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 07-14-06 Location: Huntsville Alabama	Best way to cool #120 of pork butts I am finishing up 120 pounds of pork butts for an event that is on Wednesday evening. I really don't want to pull all of it want to leave some whole so they can pull as needed. My question is what is best way to cool down after I take out of cooler. They are about 4 pounds cooked. Can I cool them down whole or should I cut them in half then cool. I do have a foodsaver. Thanks in advance for the help. __________________ CrimsonSmoke Cook - Wesley Pit Boss - Kyle 2 Bandera 1 ECB 1 Royal Oak

09-02-2013, 05:53 PM	#3
jonboy is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-14-07 Location: Mount Washington, Kentucky	How are you going to reheat them? jon

09-02-2013, 08:16 PM	#11
HBMTN is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 10-16-08 Location: Virginia	Gallon sided ziplock bags and put 3-4lbs per bag. Push the air out, and drop in an ice slurry bath to cool them. Personally I have found that it takes just as long to bag, cool and then reheat large quantities of pork like this that it is just as easy to cook it fresh.