Turkey advice. Should I brine and inject??

munkyangelatl

greeting fellow eggheads!

this is the first year i am really taking control of the turkey making and i would like it to be a successful attempt on my part. unfortunately, we have a debate in the house right now and i'm needing some advice from the crowd. i am wanting to brine our turkey tuesday night into wednesday night. wednesday night i would like to inject it with the creole butter injection and do a nice rub of herbs,garlic, lemon, other spices, etc.. thursday morning wake up and start cooking while watching the macy's parade.

do you think? a. it's a bit much to brine and inject or
b. are you crazy woman that's too much?

also, do you think the fire would to too warm if i used all wood and no coal? or should i stay coal/chips?

thanks, leeann

WessB

You should..search...
http://www.eggheadforum.com/index.php?searchword=brine+or+inject&dtstart=0&dtrange=0&orderby=score&pagelength=50&returnfirst=0&option=com_simpleboard&Itemid=112&func=search

FlaPoolman

I like to taste the turkey so wouldn't do both. All wood for the fire??? are you using a egg? Poultry picks up a lot of smoke and for me the lump is enough 1 chunk of apple or cherry if I really want a smoke taste.

Irreverent

There should be nothing wrong with brining and injecting. You will likely enjoy a very moist and flavorful bird.

However, depending on the size of the bird and the time you wish to dine, you may need to arise quite early on Thursday.

I would strongly recommend against going all wood (in a BGE, anyway). I think you would find an excessively smoky character to result, and I think you would have issues with control of the temperature.

Good luck, and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Peace.

munkyangelatl

FLAPoolman: using our large egg. my family is always fashionably late for thanksgiving, but you might be right about getting up at 6am! thankfully i could go to waffle house after getting this started!

Irreverent: I thought that was right about using all wood. Another thing to pick up tomorrow when i get the turkey! cherry chips! i have always been pleased with them!

so far your advice has been extremely helpful. thank you

munkyangelatl

thanks for your sarcasm and helpful link. no need to troll the noob. i figured from reading around here most people are pretty friendly, just saying

mad max beyond eggdome

i don't brine or inject. ..

1. i want my bird to taste like turkey, not brine or injections

2. i don't have the space for a tub of brine

3. i'm lazy

4. i know i'm capable of turning out a nice moist finished product without it, so why bother. ...and so can you!!

munkyangelatl

i spent the time tonight cleaning the fridge to make room for this crazy idea, i might as well attempt it one year so i can say oh! that's what it taste like! my mom always did it the lazy way so i guess, i'm trying to compensate for bad turkey until the bge come into our life.

Little Chef

LeeAnn: I am a total fan of brining! No harm in brining and injecting at all. Just make sure you rinse the bird well after brining, and dry well before injecting. I have always found brining adequate, but more power to you with the injection as well.
And I am confused about your wood question...you mean cooking with ALL wood? I find the hardwood lump alone gives more than enough smoke flavor, but it's up to you. But certainly wouldn't recommend cooking with wood in the BGE.

Little Chef

Max: She asked about brining and injecting. Why knock it down? It's a great method, and my turkey sure tastes like turkey!

Pork Butt Mike

LeeAnn brining a turkey is great, as long you wash it good and dry good. Brining a Turkey has lots of flavor and comes out very moist. As for you injection you can do a number of different herbs. Enjoy you Holiday and read up some on bringing and you will not be disappointed.

mad max beyond eggdome

hi michelle, i didnn't think i knocked anything down...i read it as she was asking about either/or or both. ... i just explained why i don't do any of the above. ..to each their own. .. if you like it, go with it. . .i'm just saying its not required to get a quality product, thats all :laugh:

munkyangelatl

thank you for all the great advice i can't wait to cook it!! i'll take pics and post on my flickr account.