Help on Starting temp on turkey breast

well if I said 24 hours, who am I to argue with that guy

I like 18 to 24 for breasts, but that's me. MINIMUM of 12.

The issue about starting or having it up to temp is one of smoke. If you put the breast in while it's coming up to temp, the breast will be in a lower temp range so it will take on more smoke.

Put it in an already hot 275 smoker, it won't take as long to get up to temp.

Real issue is skin. If you want to eat the skin, you'll have to do the higher temp or at least finish at a higher temp. If you want more smoke, then go for a lower temp and get rid of the skin (it WILL be rubbery below 275 or so).

Well now, I didn't think I would ever disagree with Smokin'...but from my very limited experience on whole turkeys it seems that a pre-warmed 020 lays the smoke flavor on better than starting out cold.

It could be that since it takes a while for the smoke to start on my smoker the turkey is already warming up as opposed to getting in the smoke from the start, or it could be that this is only for cooking at 275*, which is probably the case.

I'll start with a warm smoker from now on for turkeys smoked at 275*, but to each his own.

Thanks to SmokinOkie, I received a quick and helpful answer. That is what's so great about the CS forums--you ask questions and get an answer.

quote:

Originally posted by cal:
Well now, I didn't think I would ever disagree with Smokin'...but from my very limited experience on whole turkeys it seems that a pre-warmed 020 lays the smoke flavor on better than starting out cold.

It could be that since it takes a while for the smoke to start on my smoker the turkey is already warming up as opposed to getting in the smoke from the start, or it could be that this is only for cooking at 275*, which is probably the case.

I'll start with a warm smoker from now on for turkeys smoked at 275*, but to each his own.

Cal,

Do you put wood in your wood box before you start pre-heating or when you put the turkey into the smoker?

SmokinMAINEiac

Yes, I put the wood in the box right around the middle hole when preheating...beware of the smoke when opening the door to put the bird in. Them their stick burners would be proud of the smoke I get in my eyes, if not careful!

The real issue, prewarmed or from cold is how much smoke to you want on your bird. You'll just have to experiment and go with what works for you.