Beer Can Chicken

davemathews

Newbie

Original poster

Dec 5, 2015

9

11

Leland, NC USA

• Dec 15, 2015

• #1

This weekend I will attempt to do a beer can chicken (7.5 pounds) using Weber's poultry roaster setup on my new 22.5 WSM. I did 1 dry run when I first assembled it and then a rack of St Louis style ribs last weekend. I took a old cheap chimney, split the seam on and shrunk the diameter down to about 4.75 inches (originally 7 inches). As you can see I have it in the center surrounded by pioneer brand lump charcoal. I plan having a chunk of applewood in the center of the chimney before dumping about 15 lit Kingsford briquettes into the chimney. At that point I'll pull the chimney up and should be ready to rock. (fingers crossed). I will be using water in my water pan. I will have my Maverick ET-733 setup also. Probable going to sprinkle cherry chips on top of the unlit lump charcoal also. I probable have way more unlit lump charcoal in the fire ring than I need but, the last time I used it all the coal extinguished within a hour of closing all 4 dampers, so I'm not really concerned with wasting charcoal. I'm thinking 5 hrs @ 250 degrees? Is there anything I over looked? THANKS

8838_630x440.jpg

• davemathews
• Dec 15, 2015

20151215_174613.jpg

• davemathews
• Dec 15, 2015

20151215_180222.jpg

• davemathews
• Dec 15, 2015

 

appwsmsmkr1

Meat Mopper

Jan 4, 2013

272

25

New Jersey

• Dec 15, 2015

• #2

Hi there!! I'm also a wsm owner and if your looking to get crispy skin then you need to smoke it at a higher temperature. I would say between 300-400* you can do that by not using the water pan. Smoke the chicken on the top grate with no water pan.

if you don't care about the skin then 250 is fine. It just will take a little longer.


But make sure you use a thermometer to probe the meat to check temp until you reach 165* in the breast and 170* in the thighs. Food safety is always first! Happy smoking!!!

 

• 

Reactions: davemathews and dave mathews

dave mathews

Newbie

Dec 10, 2015

8

10

Leland, NC

• Dec 15, 2015

• #3

Crispy skin would be great. No water pan as in take it out, leave it empty, or put clean play sand in it?

 

dirtsailor2003

Epic Pitmaster

OTBS Member

Oct 4, 2012

21,947

4,224

Bend Oregon

• Dec 15, 2015

• #4

Leave the water pan in and cover it with foil. That's it.

Beer can chicken is a neat novelty but doesn't really do much for the finished product. You don't get any flavor from what's in the can and there's no need for the moisture to get moist chicken meat.

Read up here on spatchcocking. It's hands down the best way to smoke a chicken.

Check out this thread on high temp chicken smokes:

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/...spritzed-is-the-only-way-to-get-moist-chicken

Also check out the poultry section in my mega list of smokes for many ways to cook chicken.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/191066/dirtsailors-mega-mother-of-all-cooking-links-index

 

• 

Reactions: davemathews

essexsmoker

Smoke Blower

Dec 13, 2015

105

17

Essex, UK

• Dec 17, 2015

• #5

I always spatchcock and cook at high temp with chicken. It's done really quick and had an amazing crispy skin. I normally do mine in my kettle though. Very moist and juicy.

 

• 

Reactions: davemathews

one eyed jack

Master of the Pit

Oct 11, 2014

3,134

922

Coastal NC

• Dec 17, 2015

• #6

These guys are all giving good advice.  Just no benefit to doing chicken low and slow.

And I agree that spatchcock or individual pieces is the way to go.  With individual pieces you can pull each piece as it hits target internal temperature.

I do individual pieces most often or a grill full of dark or light meat.

Best luck with your smoke. 

 

twoalpha

Smoking Fanatic

Nov 20, 2014

528

203

Lexington, NC

• Dec 18, 2015

• #7

Also consider doing a simple wet brine on the whole chicken this will help keep the meat moist and juicy.

Here is another idea from Jeff.

http://www.smoking-meat.com/june-11-2015-beer-brined-smoked-chicken

 

dirtsailor2003

Epic Pitmaster

OTBS Member

Oct 4, 2012

21,947

4,224

Bend Oregon

• Dec 18, 2015

• #8

twoalpha said:

 
Also consider doing a simple wet brine on the whole chicken this will help keep the meat moist and juicy.

Click to expand...

That is a misnomer. There is no need to brine chicken to keep it moist and juicy. Properly cooked chicken will be moist and juicy. If you would like to add additional flavors to chicken then brine away.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/...spritzed-is-the-only-way-to-get-moist-chicken

 

kjolly

Fire Starter

Dec 15, 2015

37

10

• Dec 18, 2015

• #9

While Splatchcocking seems a funny word my wife did one last year and it came out great. would be a good cut in a smoker.

 

figjam

Meat Mopper

Nov 13, 2007

214

13

St Louis (area)

• Dec 18, 2015

• #10

I would consider adding more wood as well.  One piece in the center is not much, even with the chips you plan on adding.

 

essexsmoker

Smoke Blower

Dec 13, 2015

105

17

Essex, UK

• Dec 22, 2015

• #11

I've read that beer can chicken can be potentially more dangerous to cook as the can fills the cavity and stops the heat getting in.