Weber Kettle Trivia Question

[tb80]

How many hot dogs can realistically fit on a Weber 22.5" kettle for direct grilling without being too crowded?

I have to cook around 30-40 hot dogs on Saturday.  I'm not sure if I should go one kettle or two.

[addicted-to-smoke]

Since it's direct you should have no problem fitting them on.

[mrbill]

depends if you're cooking anything other than dogs and what resources you have to keep finished dogs at a decent temp.

[tb80]

Nah. Just cooking dogs on the kettle.  I am also smoking a pork butt on the WSM.  Part of me is just curious as to the max number of dogs you could fit on a kettle.

[blackdog043]

Use 2, because you can!!!

[Chuck]

I'd be surprised if you can't get them all on at the same time. However, with that number of dogs, unless everyone will need to have their dog at excatly the same time I'd save the charcoal and cook in a big batch then a smaller batch if they happen not to fit.

[demosthenes9]

Not being flippant, but the answer depends on the size of the dogs.

Anyways here's a pic with 21 shorter dogs on a weber along with 4 burgers and 2 chx breasts.  I'd say that 20 more dogs would have fit in place of them.

[tb80]

Thanks everyone. 

[dazzo]

I didn't count   

[dengland]

I didn't count   

Could be wrong but my rough count was 48.

[glrasmussen]

49 maybe, with room for more.

[Stu Clary]

Use 2, because you can!!!

Best answer!

[GregS]

so where are you going to cook the burgers, steaks, sausage, turds, kabobs, potatoes, cornbread and brisket? 

that's what i wanna know.

[f2benny]

put them end down and you can cook a ton!

[Troy]

i don't think space is really the primary factor here..

over direct heat, dogs are going to cook and burn pretty fast.
You'll have to use a lower direct heat to buy yourself some time.

Even then, you'll still be tonging often. Sure you can 'roll' multiple dogs in a single motion to prevent burning, but at some point you will be picking up individual dogs and relocating them based on cooking speed.

I think your best bet is to a multi zone cook. Set up a single 22 in a two zone format. Bank the coals to keep the high heat in 1/3 of the grill.
When you put the dogs on, put them all on indirect and close the lid. Give them 5 to 10 minutes of indirect heat to cook (this time is going to depend on your heat level and type of hot dogs)
When you're ready, open up the lid and move dogs to direct heat to mark and color. This will go fast. You'll be moving them to heat, rolling them a bit to even the color, and removing them in a fast cycle until they're all done and properly marked.