Question about chicken quarters

[johnnie2130]

I used the search feature and think I found the answer I'm looking for but wanted to be sure.

I'm cooking chicken quarters for the first time. After I prepare them for my MES, do I turn the smoker temp as high as it will go (275)?

Is approximate cook time 3 hours? I have a thermometer, but it doesn't seem to be very accurate. I'll still use it.

Thanks for any info you can give me.

Johnnie

 

[richtee]

Yep... 275'll work. If ya doubt the thermo... grab a drum and hold the thigh. When the drum moves freely... easily... yer there.

 

[johnnie2130]

Thanks for the quick reply. I've never had much luck twisting the legs, but I'll give it a try again.

 

[tn_bbq]

I'm sold on this method for good chicken:

Brine
Air dry
Rub w/ oil
Season well
Smoke at higher temp (350 degrees)

 

[flash]

At 275º probably more like 2 1/2 hours so keep a close eye on them. Skin will be kinda rubbery, so you can finish on a hot grill or in the oven to crisp them up.....that is if you eat the skin.

 

[brewmate76]

Hi, I'm a rookie that's new to the forum. This is my first season smoking with the El Cheepo Brinkman. I've had good success smoking chicken quarters four 4 hours with nothing but my rub. Then I add the BBQ sauce and let 'em smoke another 1 - 1.5 hours. They still come off nice and juicy and have an awful lot of smoke flavor, which we love.

 

[flash]

That's a long time for chicken quarters. What temp are you smoking at?

 

[brewmate76]

I've been smoking 'em at 250. They get to about 180 after 4 hours but don't go up much more over the next hour. These chicken quarters are some of the best things I've smoked, and the meat is super cheap!

 

[flash]

Chicken is considered done at 170º, although my wife is one who wants it DONE!! So I usually go to 165º then move it to a gas grill to crisp up the skin. At 250º smoker temp, you should be done in the 2 1/2 to 3 hour range for leg quarters. How full do you get your water pan?

 

[brewmate76]

I've filled the water pan between half and two-thirds full. The legs move around easily in the joints by the time I take it off. My wife loves her food DONE as well. The first thing she does when she gets a piece of meat is cut it up and inspect it. :)