Turkey fail question

cbmontgo · January 2017

So for Christmas, I smoked a 16 pound turkey at 275 degrees indirect. In the past, I've smoked turkey with great results. Strange thing happened; I'm expecting it to take 4-5 hours, but at not even the 2 hour mark the internal breast temp is telling me 168 degrees meaning it's done. It just doesn't make sense at that weight and temp to be done yet, so I take a different thermometer and check the breast and it says the same. But, then I check the other breast, and it is 30-40 degrees cooler, and so are the thighs. So somehow, I have one breast done, while 3/4ths of the turkey has a long way to go. Anyone ever seen something weird like this happen?

fishlessman · January 2017

it can happen if the bird is sitting sideways where the back of the egg is hotter than the front. it cooks more evenly if you cook with the legs aiming at the hinge. another problem is the dome gage touching the bird but im betting the hot spot in back was hotter than normal. it can happen in an oven if your constatly opening it to baste

hoosier_egger · January 2017

↑↑This↑↑

I always put the legs towards the 11 O'clock position

Tspud1 · January 2017

Is the egg level?

cbmontgo · January 2017

Yes, it's level. Never had an issue like this before.

Mickey · January 2017

This is the reason I cook turkey at 400/425 raised direct.

KiterTodd · January 2017

@cbmontgo so what did you end up doing and how did it come out?

SemolinaPilchard · January 2017

Even if the turkey was centered you can have a hot spot, especially with a plate setter. Was it an indirect cook? Plate setter? I find the hot spot in my egg to be at the 1 o'clock position. When cooking indirect I put a leg of the plate setter in that spot and it helps to even it out.

Hans61 · January 2017

Nope never had that experience

nolaegghead · January 2017

This is a good example why multiple quick reads are better than one permanent probe.

YukonRon · January 2017

I have only seen this with uneven heat in the egg.

cbmontgo · January 2017

KiterTodd said:

@cbmontgo so what did you end up doing and how did it come out?

I rotated the turkey and continued cook until whole turkey came up to internal temp. 3/4ths was ok, that one breast was over cooked.

Foghorn · January 2017

cbmontgo said:

KiterTodd said:

@cbmontgo so what did you end up doing and how did it come out?

I rotated the turkey and continued cook until whole turkey came up to internal temp. 3/4ths was ok, that one breast was over cooked.

Sounds like you made the best of it. Good job and welcome aboard.

Enjoy the journey.

Turkey fail question

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