Turkey transportation

Powak

Tomorrow I'm bringing the second turkey to my inlaws for Thanksgiving. I'm planning on using Bobby Flay's smoking recipe - 275°/300° for 4-6 hours, probably a little longer because mine is a 19 lb'r. I'd like to bring the bird hot off the egg. I'm debating between pulling all fhe meat off and wrapping it or just bringing the whole bird but either way I'd like to keep it hot after grill time. Does FTC(foil towel cooler) work with turkeys?

Mickey

How long is the trip? 
The skin is the problem 

johnnyp

FTC will definitely work to preserve the heat but, @mickey is right, the skin will soften quite a bit

JustineCaseyFeldown

Turkeys can rest uncovered for a half hour EASILY on the table, if they are big enough. 

To keep it warmer, you can drape it with a clean white kitchen towel or two. Old "grandma" trick

turkey needs to cool actually. in fact, the common misconception about juices "redistributing" in resting meat is really more about allowing the meat to cool a bit from the "done" temp. 

Hot meat cannot retain water as easily as cooler (and ultimately, cold) meat does

Powak

Mickey said:

How long is the trip? 
The skin is the problem 

Trip's about 12 minutes but what's up in the air is how long the meat's going to sit around before people start eating. I'm almost wondering if I should hack it up after it rests and bring it over that way in a crock pot or plate.

lousubcap

You will lose the collective heat retention of the whole bird if you carve early.   Since it is such a short time frame, you may inquire of your in-laws as then when they are planning for the first turkey to be finished and see if you can time your arrival along with it.  FWIW-

JustineCaseyFeldown

Again. It would sit on a table for an hour and still be hot. 12 minutes is a f^rt in the wind. 

Travel covered loosely no foil or plastic. Linen cloth etc.  

it could sit for another half hour and be fine

as lou said, carving would make the thing cool much faster. No bueno

Powak

Got the final times. Heading over around 10am and eating around 1pm. It's about a 12 to 15 minute ride over. In this case what will keep the turkey in the best condition for 1pm feast?

lousubcap

From my view-point, the best condition would be to excuse yourself around 11:45 AM, and make the road trip to retrieve.  Then all is right with the bird and the 1 PM slaughter.  Given that may not be an option, then the skin will take a hit, unless you have a torch and can give it a hit when it comes out of whatever faux cambro you resign it to when the bird is finished on the BGE.  Just an opinion...