BIG Turkey smoking

[Russ]

In all the turkey discussions on here, everyone mentions 10-15lb turkeys. Is it possible to do more like a 20-25lb turkey in a WSM or is that too big?

 

[Bruce Bissonnette]

Everything's BIG in Texas /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Seriously though I've never done one that big(boy, that still doesn't sound right) /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

 

[Chris Allingham]

See Turkey Selection & Preparation for info on choosing a turkey for the WSM. Scroll down to the headings "How Big A Turkey Should I Buy?" and "Will The WSM Hold Two Turkeys?"

Regards,
Chris

 

[Guest]

Witha 25 pound bird you run the risk of food poisining. inability to bring that big a piece of meat to temperature long/slow environmnet.

Best to do 2 birds in the 14 pound range. IMO better taste also.

 

[Doug D]

I never do turkey of any size long/slow in my WSM. I cook poultry at 350*, and I believe most here would also recommend that. Gonna need a lot of charcoal for a 25 pounder at 350, though.

I don't believe a second-- even 10-14 pound-- turkey will fit on the bottom grate with the top grate in place, so you'd have to do 2 of them in shifts.

 

[Chris Allingham]

There's 7-1/2" between the top and bottom grates. I'm told that some of the smaller turkeys will fit in this space after thawing.

Regards,
Chris

 

[Jim Minion]

To do a bird of that size brinning with Tender Quick or some curing agent is needed to be safe if it is going to be a long cook.
Jim