I seem to remember 16-18 lbs being the limit for smoking it whole and intact. And I think that's the way I'll go this year at Thanksgiving. (Damn, I'm ready for some dressing!)
I work in the meat department at a very small HEB grocer in Central TX, and we get a free turkey, any size, every year. Last year I got Birdzilla (don't remember the poundage, but this sucker was enormous). Split it with a saw at work, and smoked it.
The natural tendency of Toms (large turkeys) being tough, combined with the long cooking time, dried the breast meat out a little bit. So I'm thinking of not being such a glutton (just me, my wife and my 3 year old son... Mother's hubby works at another HEB and also gets a bird), and just getting a medium sized one and smoking it whole. And yes, I did use a brine last year.
On the other hand, sometimes I donate my free bird to the inlaws after smoking if it turns out a little dry. Good brownie points, lol.
But I like smoked turkey... love it in fact. And my in-laws have a HUGE Thanksgiving gathering. So if I donate a little, it won't even get noticed. I'll have to donate the whole dang thing to really be appreciated.
And my mom doesn't smoke turkey. Just roasts a huge one in the oven till the breasts are bone dry.
I'm thinking of Splatcocking a huge one, smoking it, and keeping it for myself. Eat smoked turkey sammies for a few days, and freeze the rest. Am I selfish?
Sorry, I'm rambling. Just had a few beers, and started looking forward to Thanksgiving.
Mmmmmmmmmm........
I work in the meat department at a very small HEB grocer in Central TX, and we get a free turkey, any size, every year. Last year I got Birdzilla (don't remember the poundage, but this sucker was enormous). Split it with a saw at work, and smoked it.
The natural tendency of Toms (large turkeys) being tough, combined with the long cooking time, dried the breast meat out a little bit. So I'm thinking of not being such a glutton (just me, my wife and my 3 year old son... Mother's hubby works at another HEB and also gets a bird), and just getting a medium sized one and smoking it whole. And yes, I did use a brine last year.
On the other hand, sometimes I donate my free bird to the inlaws after smoking if it turns out a little dry. Good brownie points, lol.
But I like smoked turkey... love it in fact. And my in-laws have a HUGE Thanksgiving gathering. So if I donate a little, it won't even get noticed. I'll have to donate the whole dang thing to really be appreciated.
And my mom doesn't smoke turkey. Just roasts a huge one in the oven till the breasts are bone dry.
I'm thinking of Splatcocking a huge one, smoking it, and keeping it for myself. Eat smoked turkey sammies for a few days, and freeze the rest. Am I selfish?
Sorry, I'm rambling. Just had a few beers, and started looking forward to Thanksgiving.
Mmmmmmmmmm........