First Event, looking for advice.

Pa_BBQ · 03-04-2012, 10:02 AM

I am finally officially doing my first event, its a burger festival and I am keeping it simple by offering pulled pork, pulled beef and burgers along with chips and canned drinks.

I really am pretty comfortable with the pulled beef and pork, and I keep all meats 135-140 and mix in apple juice to keep it moist. I also know I can re heat these and get a great flavor when re heating.

What I am unsure about is the burgers, I do not think I can keep up cooking to order at an event like this.

Anyone want to give some advice on cooking burgers for a crowd and how long can you hold them and still have a good juicy burger.

I will have chafing dishes and a holding area on my offset that will keep the food warm, just not sure how long I can hold the burgers before they should be trashed.

RICK Allen · 03-04-2012, 10:50 AM

We usually hold our burger patties after smoking in a beef au jus, either french beef dip or oxo beef stock, we then put them on the flat grill to melt the cheese , and toast the bun, they seem fine for up to 4 hrs. or more and the left overs, get ground and put into Tacos or Chili

The juice is filled to cover them in the pan that then goes into the steam tray, or chafing dish we hold them at around 170

BigBellyBBQ · 03-04-2012, 10:52 AM

depends on what type of burger, if you make em, add some water/bread crumb to the mix before making patties...if you buy the frozen already formed then try to stay ahead of the crowd in your smoker, as I found this cook fast and dont hold as long..

RICK Allen · 03-04-2012, 10:55 AM

Sorry should have mentioned we make our own patties out of 100% lean ground no filler

Pa_BBQ · 03-04-2012, 04:39 PM

Thanks guys, we will be making our own.
This is very helpful and will cook these in stages but the last thing I want is a bunch of people having to wait too long to get a burger.

Pa_BBQ · 03-04-2012, 04:43 PM

I am planning on using 80/20 beef, is that the standard?

RICK Allen · 03-04-2012, 06:56 PM

Not a term I'm familiar with, is that 80
80% meat 20% fat if so that will work just fine just make sure you don't dry them out on the smoker and warn everyone they are well done and the smoke turns them pink

bbqbull · 03-04-2012, 07:38 PM

I cooked a graduation party several years ago for a family member of mine. It was their oldest daughters senior graduation party.
I had their home danged gasser and a case or more of 3/8 inch thick frozen patties. They invited 200 guests. I was going as fast as possible, burnt some burgers but they were all done. We ran out of propane as we only had one 20 # tank.
Honest to God I have no idea how you can make/shape the burgers and cook them at the same time. But I wish you the best of luck

Pa_BBQ · 03-04-2012, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbqbull

I cooked a graduation party several years ago for a family member of mine. It was their oldest daughters senior graduation party.
I had their home danged gasser and a case or more of 3/8 inch thick frozen patties. They invited 200 guests. I was going as fast as possible, burnt some burgers but they were all done. We ran out of propane as we only had one 20 # tank.
Honest to God I have no idea how you can make/shape the burgers and cook them at the same time. But I wish you the best of luck

They will be made before the event, probably the night before.
I am planning on putting the burgers in shallow pans so I can take them on and off in groups rather than singles. Also the pans will not allow them to take on too much smoke.

ROF, Texas · 03-08-2012, 04:08 PM

You might also look into renting a "Cambro" or similar food warmer/holder. We use the "Rubber Maid" brand, add a pan of boiling water on the bottom rack and you are good for up to 5 hours.

03-04-2012, 10:02 AM	#1
Pa_BBQ Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 11-29-09 Location: Warren, Pa Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	First Event, looking for advice. I am finally officially doing my first event, its a burger festival and I am keeping it simple by offering pulled pork, pulled beef and burgers along with chips and canned drinks. I really am pretty comfortable with the pulled beef and pork, and I keep all meats 135-140 and mix in apple juice to keep it moist. I also know I can re heat these and get a great flavor when re heating. What I am unsure about is the burgers, I do not think I can keep up cooking to order at an event like this. Anyone want to give some advice on cooking burgers for a crowd and how long can you hold them and still have a good juicy burger. I will have chafing dishes and a holding area on my offset that will keep the food warm, just not sure how long I can hold the burgers before they should be trashed. __________________ FEC-100, Meadow Creek TS120 & BBQ26S, Large BGE, Weber WSM 22", Weber Genesis Gold (NaturalGas), Stoker, Guru ProCom4

03-04-2012, 10:50 AM	#2
RICK Allen Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 02-23-10 Location: Qualicum beach B.C. Canada Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	We usually hold our burger patties after smoking in a beef au jus, either french beef dip or oxo beef stock, we then put them on the flat grill to melt the cheese , and toast the bun, they seem fine for up to 4 hrs. or more and the left overs, get ground and put into Tacos or Chili The juice is filled to cover them in the pan that then goes into the steam tray, or chafing dish we hold them at around 170 __________________ Lonestar walk on pit

03-04-2012, 10:52 AM	#3
BigBellyBBQ is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 11-15-08 Location: Lake View, New York Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	depends on what type of burger, if you make em, add some water/bread crumb to the mix before making patties...if you buy the frozen already formed then try to stay ahead of the crowd in your smoker, as I found this cook fast and dont hold as long.. __________________ TwinTech Pro Double, Backwoods Fat Boy, TwinTech Hawg Kooker, FE 400, SP SPK 700, Empty check book and understanding wife...sometimes..

03-04-2012, 10:55 AM	#4
RICK Allen Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 02-23-10 Location: Qualicum beach B.C. Canada Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Sorry should have mentioned we make our own patties out of 100% lean ground no filler __________________ Lonestar walk on pit

03-04-2012, 04:39 PM	#5
Pa_BBQ Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 11-29-09 Location: Warren, Pa Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thanks guys, we will be making our own. This is very helpful and will cook these in stages but the last thing I want is a bunch of people having to wait too long to get a burger. __________________ FEC-100, Meadow Creek TS120 & BBQ26S, Large BGE, Weber WSM 22", Weber Genesis Gold (NaturalGas), Stoker, Guru ProCom4

03-04-2012, 04:43 PM	#6
Pa_BBQ Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 11-29-09 Location: Warren, Pa Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I am planning on using 80/20 beef, is that the standard? __________________ FEC-100, Meadow Creek TS120 & BBQ26S, Large BGE, Weber WSM 22", Weber Genesis Gold (NaturalGas), Stoker, Guru ProCom4

03-04-2012, 06:56 PM	#7
RICK Allen Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 02-23-10 Location: Qualicum beach B.C. Canada Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Not a term I'm familiar with, is that 80 80% meat 20% fat if so that will work just fine just make sure you don't dry them out on the smoker and warn everyone they are well done and the smoke turns them pink __________________ Lonestar walk on pit

03-04-2012, 07:38 PM	#8
bbqbull Moderator Join Date: 12-27-05 Location: Mid Michigan Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	I cooked a graduation party several years ago for a family member of mine. It was their oldest daughters senior graduation party. I had their home danged gasser and a case or more of 3/8 inch thick frozen patties. They invited 200 guests. I was going as fast as possible, burnt some burgers but they were all done. We ran out of propane as we only had one 20 # tank. Honest to God I have no idea how you can make/shape the burgers and cook them at the same time. But I wish you the best of luck __________________ You have never really lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you. KC I miss your advice. Heavily medicated for your protection. Klose Mobile Pit Klose Owners Reccomended Pit Cookshack Smokette Gasser Little Chief Smoker Large BGE Gifted to me my Pit Barrel Smoker

03-08-2012, 04:08 PM	#10
ROF, Texas On the road to being a farker Join Date: 02-22-12 Location: Kemah, Texas Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	You might also look into renting a "Cambro" or similar food warmer/holder. We use the "Rubber Maid" brand, add a pan of boiling water on the bottom rack and you are good for up to 5 hours. __________________ Ring of Fire Cookers & Catering Co-Owner, 2 Stick Burners, 2 Weber Perfrs and 2 much Q stuff!!