How many lbs of shoulder for 300 people

[Lazarus52980]

My church just asked me to do pulled pork for a church event coming up in a few weeks where they are planning to have about 300 people. The pork would be the "main dish" for the event. I have an electric smoker and it is only able to hold about 6 shoulders. The question then becomes... is 6 pork shoulders of about 10 lbs. enough for 300 people? There will be other food, but side dishes and such...

[Richtee]

Quick calcs... third pound per person...nice sammy...90 pounds cooked meat. Now 90 pounds of cooked meat takes approx. 180 pounds of raw meat. Yer in trouble. Even figgering a 60% return on cooked Vs. raw weight... that's 15 Butts/shoulders.

[Mark R]

Quick calcs... third pound per person...nice sammy...90 pounds cooked meat. Now 90 pounds of meat takes approx. 180 pounds of raw meat. Yer in trouble.

X2

[HawgHeaven]

My church just asked me to do pulled pork for a church event coming up in a few weeks where they are planning to have about 300 people. The pork would be the "main dish" for the event. I have an electric smoker and it is only able to hold about 6 shoulders. The question then becomes... is 6 pork shoulders of about 10 lbs. enough for 300 people? There will be other food, but side dishes and such...

I usually go with 1/4 pound per person, which equates to 75 pounds of cooked meat. I assume there will be kids there, they are usually light eaters. You gonna need 150 pounds of uncooked butt for this gig... figure a 50% weight loss. And in an electric smoker, you have a challenge on your hands. If you can cook it ahead of time in stages, pull it and and freeze it in vacuum sealed bags, that would be perfect. Thaw the bags out the day before, then, the day of, drop the bags in simmering water for 10 minutes or so. Perfect, juicy, and easy.

God bless you...

[Richtee]

Hog's right on...it does reheat very well. The numbers I gave assume all heathy appetites. You can't do the cook on the day. Sooo start ahead.. do 5 pound vac pacs and have 170 or so water baths ready to go...

[Lazarus52980]

What if I don't have a vacuum sealer?

[barkonbutts]

What if I don't have a vacuum sealer?

Then get a straw and suck the air out of a gallon zip lock bag yourself... or you would be fine freezing for a day or two in gallon bags.

[Mark R]

What if I don't have a vacuum sealer?

You need one. Or find someone close that has a big cooker. Butt it's easier to manage with the vac bags at something like that.

[Mark R]

The problem with baggies is reheating.

[Fishawn]

What if I don't have a vacuum sealer?

I also agree with Hawgheaven on this.... Heat/Serve in a big roaster(s) or crock pots is also an option

From my experience, PP freezes pretty well in zip lock bags for short durations. Can you borrow a vac sealer maybe?

[Lazarus52980]

DO I need to bite the bullet and get this one?

http://www.therdstore.com/page/IFSES...medium=website

If I do, what size bags should I get?

[HawgHeaven]

You can use zip loks, butt vac sealers are much better and more reliable. Zippies have a tendency to develop leaks in the seams... You can get good deals on Food-Savers, just look around.

When is this gig happening?

[SmokinOutBack]

DO I need to bite the bullet and get this one?

http://www.therdstore.com/page/IFSES...medium=website

If I do, what size bags should I get?

No, you don't need to pay over $500. I was at Costco over the weekend and they had a nice one on sale for $129.00.

[Mark R]

No, you don't need to pay over $500. I was at Costco over the weekend and they had a nice one on sale for $129.00.

Yea, you can buy a Foodsaver at Wallyworld.

[Lazarus52980]

Hawg: The event is on the 11th of January, so I have a little time

Mark R and Smokinoutback: What is the difference between a quality vac sealer and a crappy one? I don't mind making the investment if I get something that lasts...