Teresa & Mike CHS - Our journal

[Mike CHS]

Today has no rain in the forecast so hopefully we can catch up on some odds n' ends. We are adding two gates mid field in our split pasture so we can use them as sorting areas and also to let us get more efficient use of the portable netting. I'm liking them (so far) as we get to use more pasture without having to work around fences when we cut hay. We have an issue with one of the gates though. I planted some giant bamboo a couple of years ago for shade and food and they are exactly where the gate needs to have a clear area. Looks like they will get transplanted but not today.

Teresa and I got volunteered to smoke pork shoulders for a church fund raiser and it looks like 45 plus to get done. Logistics weren't considered when they set this up so getting them done is going to prove interesting.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Holy Smoke (lol, pun intended!) That's a lot of pork shoulders! Gotta hope you have a huge smoker!

 

[Mike CHS]

We had to borrow one. I can do 4 shoulders on ours so that wouldn't cut it.

They also didn't allow enough time. They don't get the meat until tomorrow morning around 7:00 and they promised the pickup time for 7 in the evening.

We just finished making the rub which pretty much depleted our supply or BBQ and smoking spices.

 

[dejavoodoo114]

I don't have much experience smoking. Can you cut the shoulders in half? Will that speed up the time in the smoker?

 

[Southern by choice]

WOW!

 

[Mike CHS]

I don't have much experience smoking. Can you cut the shoulders in half? Will that speed up the time in the smoker?

We could if were going to pull the meat for them but they will be picked up whole. It's all more of a matter of appearance than practicality. We will just sear the meat first and cook a bit hotter than we normally would. People are paying an inflated price because of the cause but everyone knows everybody so it isn't like we have a commercial market to satisfy.
They had enough issues getting this smoke set up that I doubt they will do it again. They originally had it set up at a sister church and when I went to look at the setup saw that it was just huge grills and not smokers but we were able to borrow a portable smoker. That would have been interesting if I had waited till Friday morning to go look at it.

 

[CntryBoy777]

Oh my!!....that is quite an undertaking and a whole lot of work to get them in and out. Hopefully some will lend a hand in the rubbing and prepping. The only good advice I can offer is to get the fire ready early. I know, not much help, they will cook a bit faster wrapped in foil for the first 2-3hrs and then open the foil for smoking. However, ya are a seasoned veteran at the smoker and there isn't a need for my 2 cents worth...
I know it will all turn out just fine for ya, if they have to wait a bit I'm sure they won't give ya too much grief.

 

[Latestarter]

Man... I hate it when I volunteer to help some cause and then feel like I've seriously been taken... That's a heck of a lot to ask for on short notice and with no prep. Sorry you've been hammered with it and hope you get it all completed on time.

 

[Mike CHS]

It turned out good and we had plenty of help and good company. We wound up only doing 36 and the rest I will do myself tomorrow,

On top of everything else it tastes good,

 

[frustratedearthmother]

YaY! Glad it turned out well for ya!