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Turkey Breast(8lbs) in Medium egg

NewEgg
NewEgg Posts: 8
edited November -0001 in EggHead Forum
Hi,
I've cooked turkey breasts around 8lbs for 3 hours in my medium egg and they come out great. However, some times the charchol doesn't last the 3 hours.
Tomorrow, I have to cook 2 8lb turkey breasts and they both don't fit together so I'm doing them one at a time.
How full can I load the charchol?? Is it okay to load it above the lines in the medium?

And, I'm sure I'll have to reload after the first turkey.
Thanks!!
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Comments

  • Fidel
    Fidel Posts: 10,172
    You can put in as much as you want - to the top of the fire ring.

    It should last at least 10-12 hours at 325-350*.
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  • NewEgg
    NewEgg Posts: 8
    Wow, 10 to 12 hours in the medium!! I must be loading way to low on the charchol.
    To the top of the fire-ring is another inch or two above where I've been loading it.

    Thanks Alot!! I'll have some fun tomorrow!
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  • civil eggineer
    civil eggineer Posts: 1,547
    I cooked a 12 pound turkey on my medium. It was done in 2 hours at 375 dome temp!!!
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  • NewEgg
    NewEgg Posts: 8
    Thanks so much for the advice. I've loaded the charcole close to the top of the fire-ring in prepatation for tomorrow. It sure looks a lot more powerful now!
    :)
    P.S. fingers crossed that I may not have to add any between each turkey!
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  • HungryNephew
    HungryNephew Posts: 267
    What kind of charcoal are you using?
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  • NewEgg
    NewEgg Posts: 8
    The 'Big Egg' charcoal that they gave us when we bought it. And, I lay a handfull of wet mesquite on top of that right after I get it to the desired temp.
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  • civil eggineer
    civil eggineer Posts: 1,547
    I just did a 17+ hour cook on my medium this weekend. If you want longer cook times then load the lump to near the top of the fire ring which sits above the fire box.
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  • Edemitch
    Edemitch Posts: 196
    Loaded to the top of the fire ring, I've gone 16 hours at 250* with lump left at the end
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  • Slotmercenary
    Slotmercenary Posts: 1,071
    i have done 20 plus hour low-n-slow cooks on a medium with no problems, load it up!
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  • NewEgg
    NewEgg Posts: 8
    Help Again.. :-)

    I loaded the charcoal all the way up to the top of the fire ring and today I'm trying to heat it up.
    It's taken an hour to just get to 250.
    Do I need to put the PlaceSetter in after I warm it up instead of before?
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  • Stanley
    Stanley Posts: 623
    I'd pull the plate setter until I got the dome up to temp, then restabilize after returning it. Need good air circ to get the fire going. Check your fire grate and fire box holes too.
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  • NewEgg
    NewEgg Posts: 8
    Thanks! I did change the bottom opening to about an inch open at it is finally getting over 300. Hopefully the fire will be going enough to last for six hours!
    Fingers crossed.
    Next time I'll do like you say and place the platesetter on after reaching the temp.
    Gret thanks to this forum!
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  • NewEgg
    NewEgg Posts: 8
    Thanks Stanley! It just hung around 300 so I took the PlateSetter off and it jump up to 400, in a few seconds!
    I then placed the setter back on and finally the Turkey in.
    It's now climbing slowly back up over 300. I probably should have left it off a little longer than a couple seconds but things are noe cooking!!
    Thanks!
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  • NewEgg
    NewEgg Posts: 8
    Shucks, I think it must have been my airflow that was keeping it below 300. My wife took it and placed the two Turkeys in the oven. :(
    Oh Well, My next attempt will be approched totally differently, with all of the suggections I got here.

    I'm using the electric started. When I'm loading to the top of the fire-ring should I maybe use that starter and two levels so that the lower charcoal is going and then load the next layer and do it again?
    But, if was hopefully just the airflow.

    Thanks to all of you for the help!

    Even though I failed I'm awfully glad that I found the location to ask question and get great help!
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