Help Please: Turkey Cooking Question

PackerFan

Hello,[p]I am excited to try Mad Max's turkey recipe Thursday. I just picked up a 19# Honeysuckle Fresh Turkey. I am going to BBQ store tommorrow to buy Roaster Pan. My question is this. I have noticed my gasket has developed a small leak on the front of the egg. I don't have time to replace before Thanksgiving. Will I be able to get 6 to 8 hours at 325 to cook the bird with this leak or should I consider cooking at 250 for longer. I have done 16 hour pork butts at 225 with plenty of lump left. It seems to be maintaining temperature just fine as well. What should I do? Also when you use a roaster do you not use the grid at all? Why not have the gap between the grill and platesetter be the airflow under the roaster pan? Is this too much airflow? [p]Kenny

mad max beyond eggdome

PackerFan,
question 1. . .i don't think the small air leak is going to affect you at 325 degrees. ...a full load should work just fine for the 19 pounder. ..[p]2. if you can get your roaster with bird on the grid over inverted plate setter and get the dome closed ok, then go for it. ..i can't, that's why i've done the modified set-up. . .as i said previously, do a test fit in advance and see what works for you. ..only important thing is to have the heat deflection. ..not sure it matters how you achieve it. . .

Pakak

PackerFan,[p]I can answer the part about the gasket ...[p]My gasket has been trashed for ages. I still get by, even doing low and slows. There are a couple adjustments.[p]First of all - smoke comes out around approximately half the egg. I figure if it's going out there, it's not coming out the daisy wheel, right? I would guess my wheel adjustments are slightly different than "normal". However, once I have a fire established, what difference does it make? The temp just sits where I've selected it to sit. No harm no foul.[p]Secondly – There is a drawback. I cannot get the fire to go out when I shut everything down. Evidently air is getting in, as well as going out. So, what this means is I'm burning more lump which can be noticeably expensive in a hurry. I finally broke down and got new gaskets. Only problem is - the temps have been low and I'm concerned about the adhesive. Might have to wait til next Spring! LOL [p]

BobbyG

PackerFan,
I don't think you are going to have any problems. A large portion of my gasket is gone and I'm in the process of ordering a ceramic. In the mean time there has been no adverse effect. Your lump will easily last at 325* Happy Turkey Day! BobbyG

PackerFan

mad max beyond eggdome,[p]Thank you. Can't wait to try the "Gravy".[p]Kenny[p]

PackerFan

Pakak,[p]That makes me feel better. I bought a replacement gasket a month ago. Now I have a legitimate excuse to wait longer to replace. Happy Turkey Day.[p]Kenny

PackerFan

BobbyG,[p]Thank you. I will sleep well now. Happy Turkey Day to you.[p]Kenny

glenn

PackerFan,
I loose my oem gasket every time I let my egg get more than 700 deg. Mine leaks realy bad but I can see no problems with what I cook and lump burn rate dosent seem
to suffer at all. So I dont think you will have any problems
Glenn