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    Spatchcock Turkey on BGE Large - How big a bird?

    Posts: 15
    edited December 2017 in EggHead Forum
    Hey guys,

    I’m going to be smoking a 23lb turkey for Christmas Eve.  Have been thinking about doing it butterflied/spatchcocked.  Question is will a 23lb bird that is butterflied fit well on the Large BGE?  I will be doing indirect and am concerned if it is stuffed into the BGE at full capacity, the outer areas of the bird will be exposed to direct heat around the perimeter where the plate setter doesn’t cover.

    Thanks in advance for the advice!
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    Comments

    • Posts: 34,707
      Never spatched that large on a LBGE- They key is the bird body shape.  You will definitely have overhang outside the platesetter.   You can use a couple of layers of HDAF to help mitigate the direct heat and also get a good distance from the lump.   You can get an approximation of the bird lay-out before committing to the cut by running a string around the bird today, measure the girth and subtract a couple of inches for the missing back-bone.  
      Should that number be too large then just go as a regular bird-remove the fire ring and build your cook off the top of the fire-box to get more vertical clearance, if needed.  Remove the thermo clip and then run the dome thermo thru the clip on the outside of the BGE as a spacer so you don't impale the bird.  FWIW-
      Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood. # 38 for the win.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period.
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    • Posts: 5,963
      Fit well?  No, I don't think so.  If it fits it will be tight.  You may have to manipulate the legs/thighs to get dome to close.  Please take pics and post, whatever direction you go.  Good Luck!
      Large, Medium, MiniMax, 36" Blackstone
      Grand Rapids MI
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    • Posts: 19,636
      That's a big bird for a L.
      Sandy Springs & Dawsonville Ga
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    • Posts: 6,939
      You could place it over a v rib rack to help with the width and tie the end of the legs together to help with the length. That is a big bird though.
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    • Posts: 15
      Will a 23lb bird fit normal style? I now see the BGE site says a large holds a 20lb’er. I can scratch the spatchcock, but need a big bird for a big group. 
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    • Posts: 34,707
      This from the above post will give you an idea of how to test fit:
      "Should that number be too large then just go as a regular bird-remove the fire ring and build your cook off the top of the fire-box to get more vertical clearance, if needed.  Remove the thermo clip and then run the dome thermo thru the clip on the outside of the BGE as a spacer so you don't impale the bird."  FWIW- 
      No further comment.
      Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood. # 38 for the win.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period.
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    • Posts: 15
      lousubcap said:
      This from the above post will give you an idea of how to test fit:
      "Should that number be too large then just go as a regular bird-remove the fire ring and build your cook off the top of the fire-box to get more vertical clearance, if needed.  Remove the thermo clip and then run the dome thermo thru the clip on the outside of the BGE as a spacer so you don't impale the bird."  FWIW- 
      No further comment.
      If I build off the top of the fire ring I won’t be able to use the platesetter for indirect though. Am I missing something?
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    • Posts: 4,232
      I did a 14 pound spatch  for Thanksgiving. No prob. There was still some "unprotected" from the platesetter and, overall, was not an even cook. Do not let the wings cover any of the breast. Dizzy's Mad Max Turkey Rub was great. 
      New Albany, Ohio 

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    • Posts: 291
      I did a 22lb brined bird spatchcocked raided direct for thanksgiving and it was tight but made it.  I couldn't spread it out... i actually had to tuck it in.  You should be OK but it'll be tight.

      South Florida - Large BGE (DOB:  12/07/2013)
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    • Posts: 34
      I did a 21 for Thanksgiving (Spatchcock) tight but worked good.
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    • Posts: 34,707
      edited December 2017
      Jbirdie6 said:
      show previous quotes
      If I build off the top of the fire ring I won’t be able to use the platesetter for indirect though. Am I missing something?
      What makes you think you can't use the platesetter unless dimensions have significantly changed?
      Edit: give the whole deal a test fit.  
      Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood. # 38 for the win.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period.
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    • Posts: 4,121
      Take your time and debone it. It will fit. Then it is easy to slice and serve.
      --------------------------------------------------
      Burning lump in Downingtown, PA or diesel in Cape May, NJ.
      ....just look for the smoke!
      Large and MiniMax
      --------------------------------------------------

      Caliking said:   Meat in bung is my favorite. 
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    • Posts: 5,678
      This 14lber fit perfect
                                                                  
      _________________________________________________
      Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story!
      Large BGE 2006, Mini Max 2014, 36" Blackstone, Anova Sous Vide
      Green Man Group 
      Johns Creek, Georgia
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    • Posts: 1,166
      Simple solution, just buy a larger egg. This site will help you spend $$$.
      Hood Stars, Wrist Crowns and Obsession Dobs!


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    • Posts: 1,658
      Two 12 pound birds and an AR should solve this issue.
      Memphis, TN 

      LBGE, 2 SBGE, Hasty-Bake Gourmet
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    • Posts: 9
      Had a 20lb for Thanksgiving that I spatchcocked and it barley fit.  
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    • Posts: 2,319
      Not to be an a$$, but this is why I have an XL - most things fit with no worries. 
      Living the good life smoking and joking
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    • Posts: 443
      You could stand it up... legs up on place setter and grate on that. Did one last week on a vertical wire roaster and was awesome put it in a pan with a bit of water at 325.
      1. Bettendorf, Ia with lots of time in Chattanooga, Tn.  LBGE, plate setter, ar, Looft lighter, maverick et-735, Rutland gasket, Smokeware SS cap, Kickash basket, and lots of cast iron.
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