Smokin my first turkey tomorrow - couple questions

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tatuajevi

Fire Starter
Original poster
Apr 24, 2013
74
13
Detroit, MI
So I've been reading through this section of the forum and have picked up a couple tips. Bird is about 12 pounds, it's brining in a mixture of water, honey, salt, sugar, and lots of herbs.

Questions:

My smoker is the Brinkman electric and it pretty much only heats at one temp. It reaches 225 and doesn't really move from there, ever lol. At least that was my experience this weekend with three different smokes, since I just got the smoker.

How long will a 12 pound bird take at 225? I was thinking somewhere between 5 and 7 hours?

Also, I'll be smoking a pork butt at the same time (starting that one much earlier) and I was under the impression that the pork should be smoked on the top rack and the turkey on the bottom and place a drip pan underneath it. Is that right?

And of course I'll post some pics tomorrow! The pork goes on at 5am, so I'll be pretty bored all day!
 
So I've been reading through this section of the forum and have picked up a couple tips. Bird is about 12 pounds, it's brining in a mixture of water, honey, salt, sugar, and lots of herbs.

Questions:

My smoker is the Brinkman electric and it pretty much only heats at one temp. It reaches 225 and doesn't really move from there, ever lol. At least that was my experience this weekend with three different smokes, since I just got the smoker.

How long will a 12 pound bird take at 225? I was thinking somewhere between 5 and 7 hours?

At that temp I would guess that you should hit your IT at about 2 hours per pound +/-. Note that with the large amount of cold meat going in your smoker temp is going to drop quite a bit and take a while to recover. Also reserve a good 45 minutes to a hour for the bird to rest wrapped in foil after the cook.

Also, I'll be smoking a pork butt at the same time (starting that one much earlier) and I was under the impression that the pork should be smoked on the top rack and the turkey on the bottom and place a drip pan underneath it. Is that right?

Always put poultry below whatever else you are cooking.

And of course I'll post some pics tomorrow! The pork goes on at 5am, so I'll be pretty bored all day!
Good Luck!
 
How much does the Butt weigh? An eight pound butt at 225* can take 16-20hrs to hit an IT of 205*. Just a heads up if your planning on having it for dinner.
 
Butt is 8 pounds. I plan on having the turkey for dinner and the pork will be for the weekend, I doubt it will be done by dinner, as you said.

Also, 2 hours per pound for turkey? Please tell me that is a typo! 24 hours in the smoker is too long!
 
Butt is 8 pounds. I plan on having the turkey for dinner and the pork will be for the weekend, I doubt it will be done by dinner, as you said.

Also, 2 hours per pound for turkey? Please tell me that is a typo! 24 hours in the smoker is too long!
Good catch, yes 1/2 hour or .5 hours per pound... I cook mine to an IT of 165* 170* in the breast 165* in the thigh.
 
Last edited:
^^^^^^^ good answer...
biggrin.gif
 
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