Approximate Time to cook?

JeffCowley

I'm interested in smoking a whole turkey in preparation for Thanksgiving.  How many minutes per pound at 350 degrees indirect?  I usually cook until done, but with a whole host of other sides being prepared inside by the women I don't want to over or under shoot the turkey.  Thanks all!

SMITTYtheSMOKER

We cooked two just this week and each were 13lbs at 2.5hrs total cook time (at 350°).

fishlessman

i took a poll a few years ago, 14 to 16 minutes per pound average using the madmax technique at 325 stuffed full of onions and fruit. there still was one done in 12 min and one in 18 which may have been uncalibrated gages

Carolina Q

It's a lot faster if you spatch it. Haven't done it myself, but it would HAVE to be.

lousubcap

@Mickey is the spatch turkey eggspert.  Hopefully he will be along.  I've spatched  16lb turkeys on a LBGE, indirect at around 350*F and they take  around 100-120 mins.  Use cherry smoke wood for great coloring.

Mickey

I spatchcock direct raised 400. 12/13 lbs is what I always do. Takes 75/85 mins + or -. I use a handful of cherry chips.

Dobie

Is there any benefit to cooking at a lower temp on turkeys?

jcaspary

Hope I'm not hijacking...@dobie  From what I've seen and heard there is not.  Turkey absorbs a large amount of smoke.  To the point that you can easily over smoke it.  Long cooks at lower temperatures only delay the eating time. 

Dobie

jcaspary said:

Hope I'm not hijacking...@dobie  From what I've seen and heard there is not.  Turkey absorbs a large amount of smoke.  To the point that you can easily over smoke it.  Long cooks at lower temperatures only delay the eating time. 

OK no sense in dragging it out without any benefit. Picked up an 11 lb bird for a Thanksgiving practice session. Now just got to figure out to spatchcock or not and to inject or not and seasoning.

UCFFAN

I use apple or cherry for Turkey - half a dozen small chunks each....or a mix of both. Pecan is another good option on wood. 

Very Mild smoke flavor with my digicube set @ 325. I can get two 14 pounders on my XLBGE. Mount them on beer stands after brining. Use pans under the birds rather than beer can receptacles. Better distribution of heat and moisture. Here's an Alton Brown brine recipe we've used for years....

1 cup Kosher Salt

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 Gal Vegetable Stock

1 tablespoon black peppercorns

1.5 teaspoons allspice berries

1.5 teaspoons chopped candied ginger

1 gal heavily iced water (50/50)

Combine Veg Stock, salt, brown sugar, peppercorns, berries & candied ginger in large pot. Over medium heat stir till combine and dissolved, then bring to a boil, remove cool and refrigerate. Brine turkey 12-16 hours prior to the smoke.

We like the Jar-jar Rub. Some Pics.....