Since getting my Cookshack I have had very good luck smoking pork butts. Normally I do just one at a time. At the end of the month, I will be cooking 2 7-8 lb butts at the same time. How long should I exect them to take? Normally it takes 14 hours to do 1 8lb butt (internal temp to 200 deg)..
Any advice? Will 2 butts take a lot longer?

Jeff

Not really. The only difference I've found is that the one on the lower shelf will cook quicker than the upper shelf.

On my last smoke, the bottom took about 14 hours and the top about 16 hours at 225 degrees. The Butts were roughly 9 pounds each.

http://www.lamaine.com/bbq/mustardornomustard.html

I agree with mainelydave. The cooking time should be pretty close to what you are used to, but the top butt will take a little longer. You could let the first one rest and then pull it while you are waiting for the second one to finish.

The other approach would be to cook the quicker one to a couple degrees over 200� and the slower one a few degrees under 200�.

Cooking at 225� or less seems to take a pretty good while to get from the mid/high 190�s to 200�-203�.

They will both have set a long time in the plateau,breaking down the collagen.

You are now considering fat rendering.

Check with your instaread and give it the poke/twist test.

Often those two packs may have a 7 and an 8 pound butt.

You'll find that after a couple hours in the cooler,they'll both pull about the same.

At least that has been my experience.

Good comments.

Also, weigh them and put the bigger one on the bottom shelf, it will take "longer" but putting on the bottom shelf will help it cook "quicker" thus offsetting...

Or so the theory goes

Why not swap the top one with the bottom one every four hours or so? Or maybe just swap them halfway through the smoke?

Why not just leave the door closed and cook the top or biggest to 200* or so. The other will be done also, and not much hotter, if any.

Don't worry, be happy!

Thanks for all the advice..
JW