First Gobbler

[Daryl w]

Gonna try first turkey tomorrow.
Lotsa different ways.
Think gonna brine it for 12hrs using 1/2 cup salt gallon water 1/2 brnsugar 1/2 maple syrup and about 1Tbsp bbq chicken spice and 1tps garlic peper.

in morn pad and dry with fans
Gonna try and cook at 300 until 160-165 in breast.
bird is small around 9lbs.

Think 12hrs too long in brine??
What about temp 300 will almost be like oven less smoke

what is optimum turkey temp?
Also sonna lay about 4 sprips bacon on top to kinda baste it.

 

[Rob O]

How long to brine depends on what kind of Turkey.

If it's a kosher turkey I wouldn't brine it at all as it's already been brined in the koshering process.

If it's a fresh turkey I've gone as long as 24 hours (because it was a specially flavored brine) although there are those who feel that makes it come out a little "hammy".


Check the label on your bird and see how it was prepared. Then check the Turkey preparation notes in the cooking section of this site.

http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/turkey2.html

There are also great general instructions on brining in the cooking section.

Last Thanksgiving this was a pretty well discussed topic so the search function would be a good friend for you as well.

In general and with no other information 12 hours should be fine.

One word of warning? Smoking at 300 may not get you a nice crisp skin.

On the other hand we love our smoked turkey in this house.