Cooking turkeys next week and not sure how many will fit in the FEC-100 (4 shelf system). They are 12-13 lb birds and was thinking about cooking them beer can style. Don't know how many will fit at once. Thanks!!!!
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How many you trying to do?
Personally, I think anything Beer Can Anything is a waste (don't get me started) I'll brine so I can be sure how it works.
But, trying to help
Not sure you can fit more than 2 in it as you won't have enough space to vertifically take out racks. If you put two on the bottom and two on the third shelf, I don't think there is room for Turkeys in a Can, but you can check when you get them, do a dry fit for spacing.
I can usually fit two on one shelf, usually. skip a shelf and two more, but I've known people that squeeze a lot more in there. I don't like to, it affects airflow.
That's actually I went to the 7 shelf system so I have a little more space veritifcally, but still don't do more than 4 at a time.
Personally, I think anything Beer Can Anything is a waste (don't get me started) I'll brine so I can be sure how it works.
But, trying to help
Not sure you can fit more than 2 in it as you won't have enough space to vertifically take out racks. If you put two on the bottom and two on the third shelf, I don't think there is room for Turkeys in a Can, but you can check when you get them, do a dry fit for spacing.
I can usually fit two on one shelf, usually. skip a shelf and two more, but I've known people that squeeze a lot more in there. I don't like to, it affects airflow.
That's actually I went to the 7 shelf system so I have a little more space veritifcally, but still don't do more than 4 at a time.
smokinOkie, why do you think Beer can anything is a waste. Over the last two weeks I have cooked beer can chickens and two turkeys and they were great. Very moist and the rub I used was placed under the skin and on top of the skin. The meat is so moist and flavorful. Not sure what extra I could expect if I brined.
The dry fitting prior to cooking is a good idea. Thanks!!
The dry fitting prior to cooking is a good idea. Thanks!!
I've had spectacular results with beer can chicken, but I've only done it on the grill. Maybe Smokin thinks the low heat of our smokers doesn't really allow the beer enough time to boil/turn to a gaseous state in order to moisten the chicken. Or if so, not enough time to produce better results than brining.
ornage68 I just think it a bunch of hooey (there is that subtle enought) ... LOL
I've tried it and for me, I just don't see the benefits in flavor and I've used dark beer, and fresh herbs, etc. It just doesn't seem to give me a flavor that we taste a difference.
But I know people love it, that's why I say keep doing it if it works for you.
I've put temp probs inside the can, while it's cooking and they are so insulated (from the turkey/chicken, they don't really come up to boiling, which would be required for them to steam. Think of it like this. If the meat temp you're cooking too is 160 or so and the meat is at or below that temp, is the beer get so much more temperature that it's boiling and really giving off steam?
Now, I know lots of people feel the same way about brining, they just don't see the benefit, and that's cool, go with the methods that work.
Keep doing it by all means, wouldn't be the first time I'm wrong
I've tried it and for me, I just don't see the benefits in flavor and I've used dark beer, and fresh herbs, etc. It just doesn't seem to give me a flavor that we taste a difference.
But I know people love it, that's why I say keep doing it if it works for you.
I've put temp probs inside the can, while it's cooking and they are so insulated (from the turkey/chicken, they don't really come up to boiling, which would be required for them to steam. Think of it like this. If the meat temp you're cooking too is 160 or so and the meat is at or below that temp, is the beer get so much more temperature that it's boiling and really giving off steam?
Now, I know lots of people feel the same way about brining, they just don't see the benefit, and that's cool, go with the methods that work.
Keep doing it by all means, wouldn't be the first time I'm wrong
Use of a turkey stand is better. It is more stable and the beer adds absolutly nothing to the bird. It would be best to drink the beer and then use water.
Smokin--youve been wrong? I refuse to believe it. Also stop putting "im no expert but i cook with a few"--sorry to tell you i think you have reached to expert level. Sorry to tell you..you have been labeled expert now we expect you to live up to it. Now what time is dinner going to be ready its a long drive from TX.
smokin Okie I agree you are the expert!! You have answered many of my questions since purchasing my FEC-100. Keep up the good work!!!
I still like my beer can chickens!!! LOL
I still like my beer can chickens!!! LOL
Dang. I know it works on a grill, but I think you're right in saying the inside of the bird doesn't reach 212*. Maybe the bottom of the beer can does, being metal.
I'm thinking drbbq came up with some kind of "beer can chicken" using a half pan,for more exposure,less insulation,etc.
Maybe in one of the magazines he writes for?
Never was interested enough to pursue it with him.
Maybe in one of the magazines he writes for?
Never was interested enough to pursue it with him.
I once did a lot of beer can chickens on the grill and I loved them (so I thought).
I've since switched to pellet cookers and find that they just cook chickens better.
I originally tried a couple beer can chickens and was not happy with the results.
With a little research here I found Smokins answer and TOTALLY agree with him.
I'll stand the bird up on a stainless open holder lay it down or spatchcock it but no more beer can chickens in the FEC for me.
I've since switched to pellet cookers and find that they just cook chickens better.
I originally tried a couple beer can chickens and was not happy with the results.
With a little research here I found Smokins answer and TOTALLY agree with him.
I'll stand the bird up on a stainless open holder lay it down or spatchcock it but no more beer can chickens in the FEC for me.
The key is creating steam (so the liquid can steam into the poultry)
I don't have a chicken stand or such, but next time you do one, snake a remote probe into the liquid (make sure it doesn't touch metal) and report your results.
Maybe we'll run a BCC experiment in 2010.
I don't have a chicken stand or such, but next time you do one, snake a remote probe into the liquid (make sure it doesn't touch metal) and report your results.
Maybe we'll run a BCC experiment in 2010.
Well. I have done beer can chicken on the grill once since I got my Elite in January. It was delicious and moist. I smoke my whole chickens all the time now. But I agree with you MountainMan. I don't think I'd do it in the smoker cause of the lower temperatures. I'm brining now.
Do you just set the turkey or chicken on the
grill racks in the FEC-100? If this is the case, I may be able get more birds on the coooker at one time. If they just sit on the racks, I would figure I could get about 8 ea. 10-13 lb turkeys on the FEC.
grill racks in the FEC-100? If this is the case, I may be able get more birds on the coooker at one time. If they just sit on the racks, I would figure I could get about 8 ea. 10-13 lb turkeys on the FEC.
The issue is one of size, the vertical space between the racks will be your problem. It really varies with the size of the bird.
I will be cooking seven beer can style turkeys tomorrow am (early) for church. I did a fit for one bird (12-14 lbs) and think I can get 7 possible 8 in the cooker at once.
With the four rack system there is about 13 inches between the racks (2nd and 4th rack from top). Will put three birds on the bottom and 4 on the top.
I measured the birds and they are about 13 inches tall but when I placed them on the beer can and set them up they compressed to about 12 inches which gives you about one inch clearance between the shelves. Will let you know how they turn out.
With the four rack system there is about 13 inches between the racks (2nd and 4th rack from top). Will put three birds on the bottom and 4 on the top.
I measured the birds and they are about 13 inches tall but when I placed them on the beer can and set them up they compressed to about 12 inches which gives you about one inch clearance between the shelves. Will let you know how they turn out.