Smoking a Turkey...a BIG turkey

[Lakenut]

My mil asked me to smoke a Turkey for tomorrow. I agreed like any good son in law would do. She said she would buy the bird. Great. She called me Monday and said it was thawed. I went and picked it up to begin brining Tuesday night. She bought the biggest bird she could find....a hair over 21lbs. Holy cow!!!! I've never smoked anything this big....its usually wild birds or store bought in the 15-17 lbs range.

Any tips or tricks for smoking a teradactil? I usually brine for 24-48 hrs then go 35 min per pound at 235°. Im thinking 6 hrs at 235-250 then bag it and finish it it the oven.

 

[tRidiot]

Man that's a tough one... I've read when smoking you're better off getting 2 smaller birds than one ginormous one.

Do it spatchcock style and I don't think it will take NEARLY that long.


<edit> And forget the bag and oven, slather that thing with mayo and herbs and crank the smoker to finish up the skin.

 

[Okie4570]

A big bird is hard to smoke like that at make it consistent. Here's what I'd do, just don't tell the family. Smoke heavy for 3-4 hours and finish in the oven in a cooking bag.............just a thought. Like said above, doing several smaller birds will turn out better. I won't smoke the larger birds like that anymore. Sometimes they would turn out great, other times not so much.

 

[MacFromOK]

Liquid smoke...

 

[druryj]

Do it beer can chicken style...gonna have to get snug dang can though.


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[Okie4570]

Do it beer can chicken style...gonna have to get snug dang can though.


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Foster's.

 

[tRidiot]

Liquid smoke...

 

[tRidiot]

About midway down the page:

https://amazingribs.com/tested-reci...-grilled-turkey-ultimate-turkey-recipe-easily

20-24 pounds
Whole bird at 325F - 3.5-4h
Spatchcocked at 325F - 2-2.5h

 

[n423]

A big bird is hard to smoke like that at make it consistent. Here's what I'd do, just don't tell the family. Smoke heavy for 3-4 hours and finish in the oven in a cooking bag.............just a thought. Like said above, doing several smaller birds will turn out better. I won't smoke the larger birds like that anymore. Sometimes they would turn out great, other times not so much.

This ^^^^^ have had to finish in a cooking bag also...

 

[dennishoddy]

Big birds need to cook at a lower heat to allow the heat to penetrate the meat.
The addition of a digital thermo that has a bluetooth to your phone will take the stress out of cooking that big bird.
Fire up the propane grill at max heat to crisp up the skin when the internal temps have been reached.
Same with ribs. Put them on the smoker until done, and then crisp them up on the grill.