chicken confusion???

  • Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
SMF is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

johnnyrockford

Smoke Blower
Original poster
Dec 28, 2012
79
17
Rockford Illinois
Hey fellow smokers!  Got the newsletter in my email today and love the recipe for smoked chicken in a pie pan.  I like the idea of smoking a whole chicken---setting a whole cooked bird at the dining room table is the ultimate presentation in my book.

Anyway, my question is this:  Looking at chickens in the store, some say Frying and some say Roasting.   The Roasters seem like they are a little bigger, but not much.  So, does anyone know the difference and does it matter when it comes to smoking? 
 
Cant really help with the question.... chickens are not my go to cook.... but Ill wait for a few I know that are chicken peoples and like you await some answers.  its a good question.
 
just throwing it out... but does it have anything to do with the additives while processing? you would think more liquid additives for a roasting bird vs a fryer right? that's just a random thought. I waiting on David or Keith to chime in ...
 
Fryer chickens are younger then the roasters.

Places will prefer the smaller chickens for frying due to size and ease of cooking in the oil. The smaller birds can be a bit more tender, but really depends on their diet. I have had roasters that were very tender. For my cooks I usually go for what is on sale.

So for your purpose of smoking it really depends on how many you are feeding and cost. just my thoughts....
 
Dang you guys didn't waste any time!  That's why I love ya!
biggrin.gif
  I found an article on yahoo saying Fryers are young--7 weeks old and between 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 lbs.  Roasters are older--3 to 5 months and 5 to 7 lbs.
 
FWIW, here are the official definitions handed down by the "rulers."
Rock Cornish game hen or Cornish game hen: an immature chicken younger than five weeks old (previously five to six weeks), of either sex, with a ready-to-cook carcass weight of two pounds or less.
Broiler or fryer: a chicken younger than 10 weeks old (previously younger than 13 weeks), of either sex, that is tender-meated with soft, pliable, smooth-textured skin and flexible breastbone cartilage.
Roaster or roasting chicken: a young chicken between eight and 12 weeks old (previously three to five months old), of either sex, with a ready-to-cook carcass weight of five pounds or more, that is tender-meated with soft, pliable, smooth-textured skin and breastbone cartilage that is somewhat less flexible than that of a broiler or fryer.


~Martin
 
You said it webowabo....I'm always learning on this site.  A friend of mine got a a brinkmann bullet smoker and the first thing I did was email him a link to this site. 
 
I always use the roasters simply because there is more meat.  Use them for chicken and dumplins and for smoking too!

Kat
 
You said it webowabo....I'm always learning on this site.  A friend of mine got a a brinkmann bullet smoker and the first thing I did was email him a link to this site. 
My friends dont smoke or grill or cook or anything... they get sick of me talking about this forum. I gotta start hangimg around the smokers at home depot or academy or something.. just for a "normal conversation" with something that interest me... lol..
 
I feel you'll be spinning your wheels at a Box Store... they just want the paycheck , most don't their "A" from a hole in the ground...

Holler out for neighbors there in the Metroplex. I know of several , maybe an hour away, but if you meet and talk, you may end-up
beercheer.gif
 friends...  OR do as I do, just start talking BBQ/Smoking to someone in the Outdoor Equip. area and see what happens
icon_eek.gif
 . The Meat section is a great area too. But I'm 65y/o and don't come across as a Nut, just a confused Old Man...
ROTF.gif
.
 
Last edited:
My best friend is the shelf that holds all the wood/lump... its sad.. I know.. but.... "Ive got friends in low places" .

... lol
 
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Latest posts

Hot Threads

Clicky