help! turkey done too soon

Seattle Egg Man

I did the Alton Brown brine and the Mad Max cooking technique on a 22 lbs bird, and expected it to take about 7+ hours. After 4 hours, the internal temp is now reading at about 170, and we aren't supposed to eat for another 3 hours. I think there is something wrong with my dome thermometer or something - I've had it pegged at about 325 the whole time. Either way, what should I do now? Any suggestions are appreciated!

AZRP

I don't think your thermometer is off, my 20 lb bird was done in 3 hours and 15 minutes. -RP

EGGARY

I hate to say this but I think your turkey is done. This seems tobe the running theme
today.

Di

Wrap it in foil and put it in an ice chest. It will be fine. If you don't have an ice chest, put the foil wrapped turkey in a cold oven. That's what I did today when my turkey finished cooking sooner than expected. It was just perfect when time to eat.

Jupiter Jim

If you went with 12 min per lb a 20 pounder should take 4-5 hours.
Jupiter Jim

Little Chef

Wrap it up tight, put it in your oven on the lowest temp possible...home ovens are usually around 170*... You can hold it there safely for several hours.

Seattle Egg Man

Thanks all. Especially Di and Little Chef. I wrapped it in foil and put it in a cooler, and it was still steaming hot, and perfectly done 3 hours later. I really appreciate all of the help.

Horsedoc

I also used the Alton Brown recipe with the Mad Max technique and my 23 lb bird was done too soon (11.7 minutes per lb). I thought maybe my thermometers were inaccurate, and will test them in boiling water, but I now think the thermometers will test fine Turkey just cooks a litter faster in the BGE.

I wrapped my Bird in foil and beach towels. When I carved it 3 hours later it was perfectly warm, and still very moist.

Dimple's Mom

Mine was done early for the 2nd year in a row. Last year it was done a couple hours early and ended up a dried out mess. This year I cooked it in the simmering oven and it was done at 9am!!! I panicked but figured there was nothing I could do. So we put it in the warming oven and at 3pm it was delicious. Sure would have liked to try at at 9am!