done too early

[RTW]

Happy Thanksgiving! I started my 20 lb turkey at 2:00 am on my pellet grill in anticipation of it taking 10 hours (30 - 40 min/lb) it's almost done 5-1/2 hrs into the smoke. can I rest it in a cooler for a few hours then put it back in at 180 degrees for an hour or so just before I need it?

 

[02ebz06]

You can turn temp down now to slow the cooking.
Then wrap in foil, a couple of beach towels and put in cooler.
If you are having it at lunch time, it should stay warm until then.

 

[gmc2003]

Not a lot of info given here, but judging by what was said. I think you're flirting with disaster. It's not recommended to smoke a turkey that big especially at 225*. The chances of harmful bacteria growth are greatly increased by cooking at that low a temp, If you are cooking at 225* then your looking at about an 8 to 9 hour cook. If your cooking at 325* then your looking at a 5 hour cook. Which pretty much matches the numbers you gave. Check your therms and make sure they're accurate. Something doesn't add up.

Chris

If you are cooking at 325ish then you're fine and eat away. I won't recommend one way or the other to eat it if your cooking closer to 225

 

[RTW]

You can turn temp down now to slow the cooking.
Then wrap in foil, a couple of breach towels and put in cooler.
If you are having it at lunch time, it should stay warm until then.

That was absolutely my thought, but now I'm worried about bacteria not cooking off, so I turned it back up to 225° let it go to 165°, let it rest for an hour, then carve it. I'll put it back on the smoker with some broth for a little bit just before serving. Thanks for the help