How many turkeys on a WSM 22.5?

[peavley]

Hey yall,

I just got a wsm 22.5, I have been smoking with my oklahoma joe longhorn off set horizontal smoker for years.  I could usually squezze 5 turkeys in the longhorn...it would be crowded, and I would have to rotate them to avoid burning, but it was sort of doable.  I realize that I probably may not be able to fit five turkeys on the wsm, but what do yall think about four (two on the top and two on the bottom).  I know it depends on how big, I usually try to keep them around 12lbs.  What do you wsm 22.5 guys usually do?

Oh and I got the bbq guru coming too!!! (early Christmas gifts)

Thanks,

Steve

 

[SmokinAl]

4 twelve pound turkeys should easily fit in your WSM. I would put the bigger ones on the top grate because the temps are a little higher on the top.

 

[peavley]

Thanks for the reply Al,

Another question that I had was; are the two turkeys on the bottom going to be discolored or anything from the drippings from the top two birds?  Also, I have not yet filled up my wsm, but when I did a rack of ribs last weekend I noticed that the trimmings were closer to the edge of the smoker and they cooked faster than the trimming use to in my horizontal smoker.  Is it that much hotter aroung the edge of the wsm?  How far from the edge should I try to keep the turkeys...or anything else in the future?  Thanks again.

 

[SmokinAl]

Thanks for the reply Al,

Another question that I had was; are the two turkeys on the bottom going to be discolored or anything from the drippings from the top two birds?  No they will be basted from the top birds. Also, I have not yet filled up my wsm, but when I did a rack of ribs last weekend I noticed that the trimmings were closer to the edge of the smoker and they cooked faster than the trimming use to in my horizontal smoker.  Is it that much hotter aroung the edge of the wsm? Yes the outside edge is hotter than the middle so you would want to try and keep the turkeys away from the sides.  How far from the edge should I try to keep the turkeys...or anything else in the future? An inch or two will work fine. If they are too close to the side you may have to turn them around 180 degrees about halfway through the smoke to make sure they cook evenly.  Thanks again.