Thanksgiving turkey

Brinmarg said:

I thought this Thanksgiving I would cut up my turkey into pieces before smoking. Reason is that I cannot seem to get dark meat tender without overcooking the breasts. Has anyone smoked turkey after separating the breasts, leg/thigh and wing pieces?

To answer your question, I have not, but there is no reason why it wouldn’t work. I normally ice down the breast portion prior to throwing it on and it has worked well for me. 

Brinmarg said:

I thought this Thanksgiving I would cut up my turkey into pieces before smoking. Reason is that I cannot seem to get dark meat tender without overcooking the breasts. Has anyone smoked turkey after separating the breasts, leg/thigh and wing pieces?

I've separated my leg/thigh from my breast many times and find it preferable in almost every way. I do like to keep the bone in the breast because it cooks better. I typically roast the wings, backbone, and neck in the oven to make stock and gravy. Then cook the bone in breast and leg quarters on the smoker till they each hit their respective targets.