Anyone smoking a gobbler for Thanksgiving?

[Phylodog]

I think we're going to smoke a bird for Thanksgiving this year. There is some debate as to whether my brother is doing it or I am but I think I'll win if it's put to a vote. I've smoked whole chickens a couple of times now and they've turned out great. Looking for advice from the experienced smokers on here about how to do it right. I've read about brining the bird but I'm not sure this is necessary. I've read about guys brining whole chickens before smoking them, I've not brined mine and they've been moist as could be. I brine chicken if I'm grilling it but for smoking it doesn't seem necessary.

Please share your thoughts, techniques, horror stories if you've got one.

 

[Guest]

Re: Anyone smoking a gobbler for Thanksgiving?

I had one in the crosshairs of the muzzleloader this morning and let him walk.
Goofy VA game laws have turkey season closed from now until Thanksgiving day.

 

[Phylodog]

Re: Anyone smoking a gobbler for Thanksgiving?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tucker301</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Goofy VA game laws have turkey season closed from now until Thanksgiving day.

</div></div>

That don't make no sense

 

[jcfd2201]

Re: Anyone smoking a gobbler for Thanksgiving?

I smoke a turkey every year for Thanksgiving. I have an old ice chest that I use to brine the turkey in. Important that you keep it cold enough when brining it. I use ice to replace some of the water in the brine recipe. The next step is to loosen the skin and place a wet rub under the skin. I use a mixture of spices in olive oil for this. I use a dry rub of the same spices on the outside of the skin. Once this is done I place some fresh herbs in the cavity and put it in the smoker. I fill the water tray with wine and fire up the smoker. Pick any wood that you want but for turkey I tend to stay away from the mesquite and hickory leaning towards the fruit tree woods.

I have smoked turkeys without brining them and had them come out fine and have had a couple come out dry. Ever since I started brining them they have stayed moist. I never brine chickens because they are smaller and cook faster than a turkey. Hope you win the vote and get to smoke a turkey!

 

[DaveV]

Re: Anyone smoking a gobbler for Thanksgiving?

Switchblade will be here soon to sort it all out

 

[Nachtadler]

Re: Anyone smoking a gobbler for Thanksgiving?

I know what you guys mean, but I can't shake the image of someone rolling a turkey up in to a giant joint and smoking it that way. It's kinda funny.

I'm wondering if I could talk my folks into smoking a gobbler this year. That sounds quite tasty.

 

[Spazz.]

Re: Anyone smoking a gobbler for Thanksgiving?

This place is a gold mine for smokers: Turkey Talk - The Virtual Weber Bulletin Board. The place has helped me out so many times and this particular forum that I've linked to is specifically about turkey smoking. Have fun and get educated!

 

[banks74]

Re: Anyone smoking a gobbler for Thanksgiving?

I have brined them before and they turn out well. I also like to smoke with a pan of liquid underneath with a little more heat used. All the drippings go into the pan and along with the extra marinade or brine and it all goes right up into the bird.

 

[Emergencynrse]

Re: Anyone smoking a gobbler for Thanksgiving?

I tried last weekend and failed. (Trial run)
The cold front that moved through zapped my
propane bottle and I couldn't keep a constant temp.

Grilled the bastard! Still turned out good.
Going to try again this weekend.

0.72/lb. for Turkey is hard to turn down.
I'll be "practicing" until New Years...

 

[Outsydlooknin75]

Re: Anyone smoking a gobbler for Thanksgiving?

Deep fried turkeys rock.

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

Re: Anyone smoking a gobbler for Thanksgiving?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nachtadler</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I know what you guys mean, but I can't shake the image of someone rolling a turkey up in to a giant joint and smoking it that way. It's kinda funny.
</div></div>

bongs work better, less mess. just remember to remove the crop, it pops like seeds!


i usually like to roast them abit first after injecting them with bacon grease, then finish them off in the smoker usuing apple wood for added flavor and "atmosphere". i tried doing them completely in the smoker, either i screw it up and they get too dried out, or the center is still half raw and the outside too dry.

grilling is good, again using applewood, usually take 1/4 breasts and butterfly them, rub with salted butter, sprinkle on powder chicken boulion and alittle pepper and a pinch of garlic powder. put on a slice of swiss, cover with marinated mushrooms.

a nice sandwich is the grilled turkey, swiss cheese, coleslaw, and thousand island dressing.

 

[glocksig40]

Re: Anyone smoking a gobbler for Thanksgiving?

If smoking them, I find it stays more moist if you take a roasting pan and put water or apple juice or wine inside the smoker with the turkey. I built a deep grill and also built supports for an electric rotisserie. Build a good fire and smoking wood under it and let it spin for a couple of hours. Turns out nice. Good luck.

 

[Phylodog]

Re: Anyone smoking a gobbler for Thanksgiving?

I smoke everything with a water pan in the smoker so that's a done deal. I appreciate the feedback fellas, I'll check out that linked forum.

 

[Fubarski2]

Re: Anyone smoking a gobbler for Thanksgiving?

Brining kills the bacteria on the turkey, very important if you're gonna go low and slow.

Cabela's steel injector, white wine, lemon, butter and olive oil mix injected into the bird.

Apple wood, and just a little hickory, mixed on an oak base.

Lump charcoal, not briquettes.

Don't oversmoke. A LIGHT smoke is best, turkey can't stand up to the flavor of too much smoking.

IMO, smoke for an hour, max, get a nice brown color and the smoke flavor in the meat. Then into the oven at 350 for 45 min to 1 hr., to finish the browning. Then bag until cooked.

If you get this right, you'll need two turkeys. Practice on a breast, to get the feel and lessen the pressure.