Turkey Chat on Twitter 11/19 7pm CT


 
Well, it's a pretty fast paced discussion. None of the questions I asked were answered so I'm not sure I tweeted correctly. LOL Pretty cool they gave away a 14.5" cooker.
 
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Well, it's a pretty fast paced discussion. None of the questions I asked were answered so I'm not sure I tweeted correctly. LOL Pretty cool they gave away a 14.5" cooker.
Weber had someone on their social media staff collecting all the questions, aggregating them, and deciding which ones to retweet for us to answer. Don't feel bad, we got to less than half of the questions asked!

It was fast paced. The questions were coming faster than I could answer them, and I wanted to look at Kevin's replies and respond to some of them, which made it even more challenging. Another challenge was including everyone's @name plus #wsmturkey in each reply, which left few characters for actual content. So in a few cases, you include just the person's @name and #wsmturkey and the reply doesn't show up on my Twitter page or Weber's Twitter page. Confusing...

But fun, for sure! And congrats to Timbo on winning that new 14.5" WSM. You'll have to post photos when you get it and show us what you cook on it.
 
Twitter Turkey Chat Transcript: Part 1

Here's Part 1 of a transcript from the Twitter Turkey Chat with @WeberGrills and @KevinsBackyard and @VirtualWeber on November 19, 2013. Thanks again to Weber and Kevin Kolman for making this happen!

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Weber Grills ‏@WeberGrills 19 Nov
Talk smoking #turkeys w/@KevinsBackyard @VirtualWeber at 7ct tonight! Tweet ?s to #wsmturkey. We will #givewaway a 14.5" smoker!!

Weber Grills ‏@WeberGrills 19 Nov
#Turkey chat w/ @KevinsBackyard @VirtualWeber at 7pm ct! #giveaway 14.5" smoker- every ? to #wsmturkey is an entry.

Weber Grills ‏@WeberGrills 19 Nov
5 min until turkey smoking chat w/ @KevinsBackyard @VirtualWeber. Tweet ?s to #wsmturkey for chance to win 14.5" smoker.

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Weber Grills ‏@WeberGrills 19 Nov
Welcome to the #wsmturkey chat!! Tweet ?s to #wsmturkey. Search #wsmturkey to follow the ?s and answers!

Weber Grills ‏@WeberGrills 19 Nov
Thank you #Weber grill master @KevinsBackyard and smoker enthusiast @VirtualWeber for being part of the #wsmturkey chat!

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber 19 Nov
@WeberGrills It's a pleasure to be part of this chat event!

Kevin's Backyard ‏@KevinsBackyard 19 Nov
@WeberGrills Great to be apart of this chat!!!

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1st ? for @KevinsBackyard @VirtualWeber. Why smoke a #turkey, what makes it so great??

Cher Marsh ‏@Chermarsh3000
it taste awesome when it's smoked

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
People are always amazed at how smoke enhances the flavor of turkey. There's nothing like it!

Kevin's Backyard ‏@KevinsBackyard
Smoked turkey=flavor, moisture, color, aroma, and extra time outside with family +beer!

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Key ? to smoking- how big of a turkey can you fit in each smoker? @lennitt5h @Foodie_Chick

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
22lb in the 18" on top grate, or about 29lb vertically on bottom grate.

Kevin's Backyard ‏@KevinsBackyard
18.5-25-30lbs. 22.5- 35-40lbs. It has to do with how round the turkey is not height.

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Smoker @MarkRuhe asks- what grill temp do you recommend for Smoked Turkey 250 or 350?

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
If you want well-rendered skin, go for 350! If you don't care about skin, 250 is fine.

Kevin's Backyard ‏@KevinsBackyard
I recommend around 250-300 degrees. I have found that temperature range gave me the best results!!

John Shepard ‏@SirPorkaLot
I do both. Cook at 275 then crank to 400-425 last 30 min to crisp skin

Weber Grills ‏@WeberGrills
@SirPorkaLot Awesome! Thanks for letting us know. #grillon!

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What do you think- to brine or not to brine?- @ScottCRM

Jeannine ‏@mellanhead
good question. We normally brine our turkey

Cher Marsh ‏@Chermarsh3000
definitely brine

Kevin's Backyard ‏@KevinsBackyard
both ways are great, personal preference-what I like is a 40 pound beer can turkey!!

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
Brining keeps turkey moist, adds flavor, & helps in case you overcook. But lately I'm more into salting.

Scott Thorn ‏@ScottCRM
Interesting! Thanks, guys.

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
40lb beer can turkey requires a big Foster's can, I assume. :)

ron montgomery ‏@montgomeryzoo
If the turkey is an injected bird does brining help?

Scott Thorn ‏@ScottCRM
Good question. I'm wondering the same. Like to inject mine with non-salted butter.

Patrick Sells ‏@patricksells
***brine

Michael Brand ‏@mlbcpa
2 breasts every year and always brine and smoke with apple and peach wood.

Rob ‏@Farrellrn17
Brine!

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What should @radioguye do differently with a turkey breast vs whole bird?

Kevin's Backyard ‏@KevinsBackyard
I would make sure you lift the skin and get some butter seasoning on the meat. Crazy flavor

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
I don't do much differently between breast vs whole. I cook breast to 165*F. Easy!

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What liquid should be put in the water pan? @aparcan

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
When I use liquid, it's H20. Not a big believer in wasting beer etc in the pan. Kevin???

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@kanderna is asking apple juice in the pan... any effect?

Kevin's Backyard ‏@KevinsBackyard
I think you will a little flavor, try apple wood, juice in the cavity and if you want more, baste it too

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
Drink the apple juice, put water in the pan. :)

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@EricMichaudCT asks where can you find food safe buckets to brine the turkey?

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
This article provides ideas on where to find food safe brining buckets. http://virtualweberbullet.com/plastics.html#appropriate

Kevin's Backyard ‏@KevinsBackyard
I have found them at THE Home Depot and Lowe's. Look for food grade and FDA approved

Eric Michaud ‏@EricMichaudCT
Awesome,thanks

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We've got both @tboyd28 & @BeHardcoreJMC asking for the BEST #turkey rub.

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
You'll find my favorite turkey rub in this article: http://virtualweberbullet.com/turkey1.html

Tom Boyd ‏@TBoyd28
thanks for the info

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How do you catch the drippings for the gravy w/o it evaporating? @rudyzepedajr23

Kevin's Backyard ‏@KevinsBackyard
One large drip pan with water and then place another one on top for your drippings.

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
Foil the pan, leaving gap between each, and drippings don't seem to evaporate/burn

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What should a cheese cloth be soaked in, when should it be put on, taken off the turkey?

Kevin's Backyard ‏@KevinsBackyard
little H20, take off 1-2 hours before your turkey is done

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What do you think about injecting? Good, bad? What is the best? @sobrian19

Cher Marsh ‏@Chermarsh3000
good for introducing flavor

Weber Grills ‏@WeberGrills
I love injection bacon fat into the breast with Italian seasoning. Use a large injector!!

Cher Marsh ‏@Chermarsh3000
wow, will be awesome flavor

Jeff Pile ‏@Jeff_Pile
I love injecting with Creole Butter, works great!

Weber Grills ‏@WeberGrills
Thanks for letting us know! It sounds delicious! #grillon!

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We've gotten a few ?s on this. What woods are best w/turkey? Chips or chunks?

D Zak ‏@DAbbZak
I have used apple, pecan and cherry. I like cherry the best with turkey.

Kevin's Backyard ‏@KevinsBackyard
I like hickory, cherry or apple and chunks. Longer burn and more consistent!!

John Shepard ‏@SirPorkaLot
I use chunks of Apple wood. Don’t go heavy with wood on poultry though

Cher Marsh ‏@Chermarsh3000
very nice

Pulled Porky BBQ ‏@pulledporky
apple wood is my wood of choice for turkey it pairs well with my maple brine

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
Apple is my go-to smoke wood for turkey, followed by cherry. Love the fruit woods!

Wayne Brown ‏@brownkw
I like apple and pecan with the big bird. Don't want a lot of smoke.

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
Definitely chunks! I apply once at the beginning of the cook and that's it.

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Can you tell us @KevinsBackyard- what do you stuff your #turkey w/ instead of stuffing?

Cher Marsh ‏@Chermarsh3000
I would really love to know

Kevin's Backyard ‏@KevinsBackyard
I stuff mine with onions, peppers, garlic, apples and lots of beer!!!

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Great ? from @chiefwinemaker- where in the turkey do you check for internal temp?

Wayne Brown ‏@brownkw
165 in the breast. Even better is to pull it up at 160 and let it rest up to 165

Weber Grills ‏@WeberGrills
breast should register 165°F and the thigh, 175°F

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What is the internal temp for the #turkey?

Kevin's Backyard ‏@KevinsBackyard
breast should register 165°F and the thigh, 175°F

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
What Kevin said...165 breast 175 thigh. Check several spots & avg the readings.

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wow- placing some cooked chorizo under the skin before I smoke it? Will dry it up?

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
Have not tried cooked chorizo under the skin. I yield to Kevin... :)

Kevin's Backyard ‏@KevinsBackyard
probably will but try and save some of the fat of the chorizo to also place under the skin fat=flavor!
 
Twitter Turkey Chat Transcript: Part 2

Here's Part 2 of a transcript from the Twitter Turkey Chat with @WeberGrills and @KevinsBackyard and @VirtualWeber on November 19, 2013. Thanks again to Weber and Kevin Kolman for making this happen!

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Skin or no skin on the #turkey? @timbosimpson and @Chermarsh3000 want to know.

Cher Marsh ‏@Chermarsh3000
is it better to use the skin or go skinless ?

Kevin's Backyard ‏@KevinsBackyard
skin always when smoking or grilling but would not eat any when done, that's what the meat is for!!

Cher Marsh ‏@Chermarsh3000
lol , thanks for the info

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
Skin on a whole turkey, of course. But boneless skinless breasts are a favorite!

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
It's hard to get good skin when smoking, but high heat, no H2O in pan, & other techniques help.

Timothy Simpson ‏@timbosimpson
So basically, throw the skin away...

Deb Roby ‏@debroby
Crispy skin is one of the best part of turkey.

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Weber friend @GrillingwRich wonders- how do you maintain the temp of the smoker?

Aaron Hill ‏@AaronBaronHill
there's no substitute for familiarity with your machine!

Kevin's Backyard ‏@KevinsBackyard
Chris this is all you since I learned this one from your site!!

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
I use Minion Method to light smoker, leave top vent 100% open, control temp w/ bottom vents. WSM makes it easy!

adh ‏@adh009
use the minion method for lighting Coles, and just keep it in range of 225-275 don't baby sit takes fun out of it

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What is smoke time for lb of turkey? Hrs per lb at say 250? @Chris_Dietel

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
I would say 25-30 min/lb at 250*F.

Kevin's Backyard ‏@KevinsBackyard
I would say somewhere 25-30 minutes per pound. If its cold outside it could go to 30-40

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
See, great minds think alike! :)

Kevin's Backyard ‏@KevinsBackyard
thats cause I learned everything from Chris's site!!!

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Good meat to smoke on bottom rack if turkey on the top rack? @LifeIsMagick @SirPorkaLot

Kevin's Backyard ‏@KevinsBackyard
I would recommend putting the turkey below, packer cut brisket on top grate

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
Why not some pork shoulder? Pork makes every meal better!

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
BUT...you'd have to start the pork butt much earlier than the turkey.

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
I like Kevin's idea of pork ribs...more in line w/ turkey cook time.

Kevin's Backyard ‏@KevinsBackyard
That's an app around noon!! My nephew EVAN loves them!

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After I take the #turkey off, how long until I carve it?

Kevin's Backyard ‏@KevinsBackyard
I like to wait 25-30 minutes. I will go after a drumstick cause I have waited long enough

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
30-40 minute resting time before carving. I've done it at 20 minutes, but hard to handle!

Cher Marsh ‏@Chermarsh3000
that's funny , I love the lots of meat like the breast

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10 min left to tweet your ?s to #wsmturkey. Each ? = 1 entry for 14.5" smoker.

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What time are you getting up on #thanksgiving to start your smoker?

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
I will be cooking the day before Thanksgiving, so I can relax on the big day!

Kevin's Backyard ‏@KevinsBackyard
I am getting up at 3:30 CT. Someone keep me company! #lonelyontop

Timothy Simpson ‏@timbosimpson
I'm there with you!!!! 3 turkeys at this house, classic roasted, fried and smoked!

Kevin's Backyard ‏@KevinsBackyard
@timbosimpson I Love it. Hit me up on kevin's backyard next Thrusday

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
I wonder if Kevin is grilling or smoking his turkey this year? Or both? :)

Kevin's Backyard ‏@KevinsBackyard
3 turkeys, 12 slabs of ribs, one brisket and one shoulder!! I LOVE HOLIDAYS

RZJR23 ‏@rudyzepedajr23
you must take pictures!!!!

Kevin's Backyard ‏@KevinsBackyard
@rudyzepedajr23 I will, see you at 4!!

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
I want to come to YOUR HOUSE for Thanksgiving! Sounds like a real feast!

Kevin's Backyard ‏@KevinsBackyard
You have a standing invitation Chris. Thanks for all you do for us BULLET heads

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Great ?- Do you baste? If so, how often? @meesteryong

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
I typically don't baste, but when I have it's been every 30 minutes or so.

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Last ?- how do you get the great color on the #turkey? @dtkfj

Cher Marsh ‏@Chermarsh3000
very good question

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
Apple or cherry wood is a big part of great skin color. And the WSM makes it easy!

Kevin's Backyard ‏@KevinsBackyard
I like EVOO salt pepper, and a cheese cloth for the first 2-3 hours. Remove cloth add EVOO and BOOM

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Weber Grills ‏@WeberGrills
Thank you to our smoking experts @KevinsBackyard @VirtualWeber for a great #wsmturkey chat!!! RETWEET for your applause!

Cher Marsh ‏@Chermarsh3000
thank you for those awesome tips

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
Thanks to @WeberGrills for organizing this chat! And thanks to everyone for such great questions! Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Chris Dietel ‏@Chris_Dietel
thanks for answering my question. Great advice.

Weber Grills ‏@WeberGrills
@Chris_Dietel @KevinsBackyard @VirtualWeber Thank you for being part of our chat. We loved having you there. #grillon!

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Weber Grills ‏@WeberGrills
Drum roll please....... our fan who has randomly won the 14.5" smoker is...............@timbosimpson

Timothy Simpson ‏@timbosimpson
HOLY SMOKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM SO HONORED!!!!!!

VirtualWeberBullet ‏@VirtualWeber
Congrats, Timbo! Enjoy the 14.5" WSM, and stop by The Virtual Weber Bullet & tell us how you like it!

Weber Grills ‏@WeberGrills
@timbosimpson Please send us a private message with your contact info- we will send the grill out tomorrow. :) Congrats!

Eric Michaud ‏@EricMichaudCT
Congrats, very cool

Timothy Simpson ‏@timbosimpson
THANK YOU!!!

John Cerasuolo ‏@JRCerasuolo
TS wins the internet. I have 1/2 a hog on order, MUST COME TO HOU with smoker.

food_chick ‏@food_chick
Just got home to find out I am a loser :( ... Congrats @timbosimpson

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