We're just getting going, trimmed , injected, resting. Now it's nap time. Gotta start up again around midnight to make the reception on time. here is pigley all ready to go. Looks like I can get a little more pig in there.
Turned out great. Coulda went with a bigger pig. This 75 pounder went fast. I used the same recipe and cooked it the same as the 4th of July pig. Came out pretty much just as good. I'd say I have brisket, butts, and small pigs figured out. Need to work on ribs.
Had a hard time keeping temps steady, friend let the apple wood get wet. I wound up having to add lump charcoal to keep the fire going and the temps right, then the wood would dry out and the temps would shoot up. After the temps came around, it would hold steady and even for a while. Some where around 6 hours in, I was able to find the rhythem and keep the temps steady with wet wood and lump mesquite. 12.5 hours at 250-275, internal temps hit 180/181, then I emptied the fb and moved to the wedding hall. Refired on charcoal to hold temp.cooked belly up over a few slabs of spare ribs. Juices pooled up nice in the cavity, nothing was dried out. Sorted out some of the different cuts of pork, and shredded a lot of it with some rub and vinager sauce. Somebody made some fancy slaw and apple chutney to go with the pig.
Seems like I wound up trying harder for this wedding cook than the 4th of July cook. This was only my 4th pig, didn't want to screw it up for 200 people. There was also a mobile wood fired pizza truck. Cooking a whole pig is a lot of work no matter who it's for. It's nice to munch on the best pieces as you break down the pig.