2 quick cooking questions on chicken and pork butt

[Paul Hart]

1) the PBC video shows them splitting the chicken first. Anyone had luck with whole chickens as is? Does it increase the cook time any?
If I place the butt on the grate for the entire cook will it be ok or should I hang it first?

I'm about to go pick up stuff, not sure I'll be able to get the whole chicken today or not. I rarely see them around here.

[drholly]

Sorry, I can't answer the first one - have always split my chickens. I imagine you could do the chicken whole like a turkey.

I have done several butts on the grate - has worked perfectly for me.

[smokeasaurus]

I always split my chickens no matter what cooker I use. You get more coverage for rub and for the Grease Fog that the PBC produces.

The cooking grate is in the "Sweet Spot" of the drum. This is the spot where if you were hanging meat, that is the area where the meat would be either on hooks or rebar.

I always put a butt on the cooking grate, I have hung them before, but why take chances when you get the same results on the grate as you would on the hooks......

[Las Vegan Cajun]

I always split my chickens no matter what cooker I use. You get more coverage for rub and for the Grease Fog that the PBC produces.

The cooking grate is in the "Sweet Spot" of the drum. This is the spot where if you were hanging meat, that is the area where the meat would be either on hooks or rebar.

I always put a butt on the cooking grate, I have hung them before, but why take chances when you get the same results on the grate as you would on the hooks......

Great info smoke, thanks for sharing. 

[jjjonz]

Whatever you decide....be sure to post some pictures.

[muebe]

I have done them whole and they take longer but turn out good. You must hook them well or they will fall into the coals. Don't ask how I know

The big easy basket works great for holding them also.

[drholly]

I imagine, if you wanted to do the chicken whole, you could probably put it on the grate as well.

[Paul Hart]

I put both on the grate. Butts at 4 hours and 153°. The chicken had no business tasting that good. That's a head scratcher, for sure.

[drholly]

I put both on the grate. Butts at 4 hours and 153°. The chicken had no business tasting that good. That's a head scratcher, for sure.

Yum!