"Stoopid" Qustion of the Day! Please respond...

[JeffB]

Okay, I'll admit it--I don't cook turkeys that often...so I'm not 100% sure what to do with that plastic thingy that holds the legs together and allows you to lift the bird out of a pan....it's clear plastic and seems to be connected just to the inside of the bird's butt.

Do I remove that damn thing before putting the bird on my smoker? It seems clear that it should not be cooked or it might melt, but removal is a bit tricky unless I cut it out.

Does anybody know what I am talking about? I can post a picture later today if necessary.

Thanks! Smoke on!

 

[Morgan C.]

If you have a butterball turkey then the plastic gizmo actually is just wedged into the cavity and wrapped around the legs...reach in and twist it out!!

I remove them and use butcher twine to tie up the legs after filling the cavity with apples and oranges!!

 

[Bill Farmer]

Yes, remove it before smoking. Morgan C gave good instructions on removing

 

[Dwain Pannell]

I get rid of it, too.

 

[JeffB]

If you have a butterball turkey then the plastic gizmo actually is just wedged into the cavity and wrapped around the legs...reach in and twist it out!!

I remove them and use butcher twine to tie up the legs after filling the cavity with apples and oranges!!

It's not a butterball, but it has to be the same thing. Thanks for the response.

On the apples and oranges you stuff in the cavity, do you do that for flavor only or do you consume them?

 

[Chris Allingham]

On the apples and oranges you stuff in the cavity, do you do that for flavor only or do you consume them?

Yes to removing the plastic leg thingie. No to eating the apples/oranges stuffed into the cavity. They're just for flavor and aroma.

 

[Chad Bman]

I cut/removed the plastic from my bird last night when it hit the apple brine bag.

 

[Darren C.]

I left my plastic thing on. The package said it could be left on. So, I did. My biggest concern was airflow around the legs. But, I didn't have an issue with that.

 

[Bob Sample]

I leave it on. Unhook the legs, stuff the bird and then rehook the legs. Saves on having to tie it up.

 

[Adam L]

I was pulling that plastic thing out of my turkey last night and i was having a little trouble getting it out.. pulled nice and hard and BAM! Turkey juice and meat all over my face and in my hair.. My girlfriend walked in right after and was like WHAT THE HECK DID YOU DO!?!

 

[Ray Crick]

I usually cut it out and discard it.

Ray

 

[timothy]

Once you undo the handcuffs, just grab the crossbar and push down. Those barbs are a pita to pull straight out.

Tim