Help On Smoking My First Whole Chicken Please.

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flyinsquirrel

Newbie
Original poster
Feb 22, 2012
22
10
East Central South Dakota
I use an mes 40 elec. smoker and have a whole chicken that i would like to smoke. Please give me any advice as far as how long, what temp, what smoke, recipes, and where exactly to stick the meat probe in at and what internal temp to bring it to. Thank You!
 
I smoke with mesquite usually.  probe in breast (don't touch the bone), I smoke at 275 degrees.

I do not preheat my MES here (against conventional wisdom) for 1 or 2 birds, I only preheat if its really cold out or I am going to load the smoker up.

I like to brine, but not necessary.

I separate the skin and use a fork to poke a few holes in it to let the fat out.

rub with your choice of rubs.

Plenty of threads to search for other ideas.

Good luck,
 
I smoke with mesquite usually.  probe in breast (don't touch the bone), I smoke at 275 degrees.

I do not preheat my MES here (against conventional wisdom) for 1 or 2 birds, I only preheat if its really cold out or I am going to load the smoker up.

I like to brine, but not necessary.

I separate the skin and use a fork to poke a few holes in it to let the fat out.

rub with your choice of rubs.

Plenty of threads to search for other ideas.

Good luck,
  you do it exactly like me. i just add a lemon that i Pierce and  i put it in the cavity
 
Here is a Brine and Rub that is a Favorite with members of my Family. I like Apple and/or Hickory with Chicken. Measure the Temp in the thickest part of the Breast and Thigh, 165* and 175*F respectively. 275*F is about the best you can hope for in an MES. If the skin is not Crisp enough when the IT is 145*F in the Breast, put the Bird in a 425*F Oven to finish cooking to 165* and Crisp the Skin...JJ

Poultry Brine

1/2C Kosher Salt

2T Paprika

2T Gran Garlic

2T Gran Onion

2T Black Peppercorns

2T Dry Thyme

1C Cider Vinegar

1 Gallon Water

Mix and Soak Bird 12-24hours.

Drain and Dry Bird, Rest in refrigerator over night to dry skin.

Chix Bubba Q Rub

1/2C Sugar in the Raw (Turbinado)

2T Sweet Paprika (Hungarian)

1T Kosher Salt

1T Chili Powder (contains some Cumin and Oregano) Ancho Chile is same without cumin, oregano etc.

1T Granulated Garlic

1T Granulated Onion

1-2tsp Bell's Poultry Seasoning

1tsp Black Pepper, more if you like

1/2tsp Grnd Allspice

Cayenne or Chipotle Pwd to taste, start with 1/2tsp and go from there.
 
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I have a small pork butt 3.3lbs that i would like to put on with the 3 whole chickens but 275 degrees is prob to hot for the pork i bet isnt it?  275 seems hot for smoking chickens is that where i wanna be?
 
Im getting ready to do drunk chicken (beer can chicken). I'm going to go for 3 hours at 250*. I've read something things on here from different people and thats what im shooting for. 
 
Here's how mine came out. Like i said 250 degrees for 3 hours. Added hickory chips every hour for a good smoke flavor. also i stuffed a lemon with the ends cut off into the neck of the bird.
7_10151373397185584_661330583_23307940_162078672_n.jpg
7_10151374275475584_661330583_23311571_121195319_n.jpg
 
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Smoking my first beer-stuffed chicken right now. I set the MES30 to 275, my probe reads reads 330. It's on the same level as the chicken. Wondering which is correct. I know if the skin comes out crispy. Have another probe in the breast. Shooting for 165 before pulling. I did have a strange event. I place more apple wood chucks, after a few minutes, the MES puffed smoked out the top and on the vent hole for the chip loading tray. It's like something inside pop which caused the smoke and air to puff, you could hear. Did something pop? Anyone seen this before?
 
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