20lb turkey

I just smoked a 19lb bird last week - I have to say I was very nervous about it at first. I added tenderquick to the brine as suggested and also preheated the smoker as recommended. I smoked it for almost 6hrs and the temp was 179. I intended to pull it at 175 but it got away from me. It was a total hit - everyone raved about it - hats off to SmokinOkie and Tom!

I'll also add that I picked this bird up by mistake - I plan to stay in the 10-12lb range for future birds.

Hey Jim,

What temp did you smoke that 19 pounder at?

Mike

Smoke it at the max temp of your smoker, don't stuff it.

You didn't say what you were using, that might help. Is it a CS? Which one?

Mike - like Smokin said, set it for MAX. I didn't stuff it either. I also removed the woodbox for the preheat, not that it matters just didn't see any reason to waist the wood.

Sorry gents,

I have the fec100, so I can set whatever temp is needed. I was just curious about how low I could go without worrying about food safety issues. I have been deep fryin turkeys for about 8 years now but am gonna try smokin it this year. I did a 12lb according to the smokin okie guide with the cheesecloth about 3yrs ago. It worked perfectly. I have a 20lb this year and wanted to keep everyone safe.

Thanks for the replies,

Mike

A 21 pound bird here. Bathing in brine as we speak. I'm doing another, 21 pounds also, in the oven, traditional roast. So, figured I'd part out the bird going into the smoker, use the other bird for presentation, and then back in the kitchen, oven-crisp the smoked one, and then cut 'em both up and plate them. (SMO55)

Well, I wasnt gonna bring it up, but Im smokin a 22.37 lb'er tomorrow. Wife is cookin the "main" one in the house. This is for later I guess.

bob

OK, 23? Anyone got a 23? Going once...twice......

I wonder if those pterodactyls have a nice layer of fat on them from only ever eating cracked corn? 'Twould be nice!

Where do these big birds come from? Brands?

Riverside is the brand name.. I dont see a place of origin. Got this one at Walmart, but it was my 5th in 2 weeks.

bob

That is the brand I used last year. I didn't brine. Smoked in Smokette all the way up and finished in oven on 400*. It was ugly, but everyone went on about how moist and good it was.

All the folks I grew up around had free range turkeys you know like out in the yard and across the road and always came home to roost at night. They weren't near as good as the store bought are today.

Foster Farms birds, Costco, HUGE cooler full of them, all within a pound or two of each other. Tried to find smaller, but 21 was the smallest. I think all Foster Farms birds are California only, unless I'm getting my commercials mixed up!

The must have all hatched on the same day, within 20 minutes of each other!!