Turkey Done Much Sooner Than Expected

Unknown

I cooked my first whole turkey on my large BGE using the BBQ Guru. After reading the many posts on the forum, I was expecting a 3 and a half to 5 hour cooking time at 325. I set up for indirect cooking with a plate sitter. The ambient air temp was in the low to mid 30s.
My turkey had been sitting in an apple cider soak in the fridge for two days. I put the bird on about 9:15 and it was done by 11:45. I did not use the guru to start the fire. I put the bird in the egg when the dome temp read 350. I attached the guru with the damper full open. It ran constantly for the first hour, then it started puffing. I closed the damper to half open at this point. My pit probe was at the end of my meat probe which was located in the breast. I double checked the temps with a direct read thermometer. I took the birf off and rested it tented for 2 hours before carving. The end result was great. I just can't explain the 2 and a half hour cooking time. It usually takes me that much time to do a 6 pound turkey breast when it's 70 degrees outside using Tim M's technique. Anyone got any ideas?

Dr_Redwine

SMOKIN' MIKE,
How much did he weigh?? I'd expect about 12-15 minutes per lb at that temp.

tach18k

Dr_Redwine, yea I agree,my 14 Lb to about 2 hours

TRex

tach18k,[p]My 14 lb also took 2 hours at 325, but I spatchcocked mine, which is why I thought it cooked so quickly. Was yours spatchcocked or whole, and at what temp did you cook it?[p]Thanks,[p]TRex

Unknown

Dr_Redwine,
This was a 13.25 lb. whole turkey

Dr_Redwine

SMOKIN' MIKE,
Whoa! That is quick. At 12 minutes per pound he should have taken 2 hours and 39 minutes. At 15 per pound it calcs to 3 hours 18 minutes, so I guess it wasn't quite as quick as I thought when I first read it. Looks in the ballpark, anyways.[p]Cheers.