Obligatory Turkey Help Question

Hook_emHornsfan_74

Okay,

So my mother tells me she is buying the Turkey this year and is bringing it over for me to cook tomorrow for the family since I spatched one last year.  The only problem is, this monster is 21lbs.  The last one I did, was half that size.  I can't decide between raised/direct or indirect.   My main problem is time and temp.  Any suggestions? Thanks again for the help.

Hokiejacket

My opinion is indirect is your only option. If time is an issue consider spatchcocking the bird. 325 to 350 is my temp.

Hook_emHornsfan_74

I am going to spatchcock it, just didn't know if there was a pound per hour formula so I could have an idea of when to start cooking it. 

lousubcap

I have run spatch indirect at around 350*F on the dome and the bird (18 lbs or so) took around 120 minutes.  I would guess 150-180 mins for that size.  Hopefully others will be along-btw, you can run raised direct as well. FWIW-

blind99

Agree w the cap. I'm always surprised how fast they cook and I've never had one go over 3 hrs at temps of 350-375

SmokeyPitt

I see you have an XL so I think spatch should work fine.  I have a large so the biggest I have spatched was 12-13 lbs and I was surprised how fast it cooked. I think it was about 1.5 hours at 350ish indirect. If you decide to go direct I think it will cook even faster.

ferndchamp

How long do you'll think one will slow cook at around 250 degrees?

Hook_emHornsfan_74

So @ 20 pounds I'm looking at 3 hours or so?  @Mickey

Hook_emHornsfan_74

Bump

Ron Burgundy

I cooked a 20 lber Saturday on my XL. It took about 3.5 hours indirect at 325, which seems to be pretty much the same every year. FYI I brined mine and understand that brined birds tend to cook faster.

Mickey

Hook_emHornsfan_74 said:

So @ 20 pounds I'm looking at 3 hours or so?  @Mickey

Sorry but no idea on a 20 pound. I stay in the 12/14 smaller birds. In the post above
Ron sounds good and if you cook like I do at 400/425 a little faster. 

Hook_emHornsfan_74

Thanks everyone for the help.  Too much pressure!!!!  lol