Smoking Turkey in WSM

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seth99

Newbie
Original poster
Oct 21, 2013
1
10
Hi-

I plan on smoking the Thanksgiving turkey this year. I will be cooking for 17 people so I need a lot of bird. My plan was to smoke two 13 lb birds in my 18.5" WSM. Has anyone done two in the WSM at the same time? If not, do you think it will work? How much cooking time difference do you think it will be with 1 vs 2 birds?

I plan on doing a test smoke this weekend of just 1 bird, but some advice on the above questions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
 
You may see a larger temp dip when you put the birds on, and a bit longer recovery time. But your overall cook time shouldn't vary much. Best to have two therms, one for each bird that way your not having to open the smoker up to check. Don't be surprised if one bird gets done sooner than the other.
 
I highly recomend two things. When you do your two turkeys, get the biggest two that will fit on the smoker. Trust me there will be fights over any leftovers and you'll still want a smoked turkey gumbo or soup too! Don't worry about figuring pounds per person...

Second, Thanksgiving your going to want a presentation bird, I can't recommend enough the use of "Kitchen Bouquet" as a rub before any spiced are put on the outside. It has NO taste you will notice on the bird. It will give you the most beautiful mohogany color on your bird. Kitchen Bouquet is available nearly anywhere as a browning and seasoning sauce. Below is a bird I did with it.


Yes its cheating, yes its easy, My Pop always used it and taught to me as the "Family secret".  Try it on your test bird.

I'll leave the brining/injecting/rubing/herbs and spices for everyone to discuss. Everyone has their own favorite way.

BTW I see its your first post, you might run by the ROLL CALL section in the FORUMS so you can get a proper introduction by all the Guru's who will help you get started right here so as to insure your continued enjoyment of the site. I promise its doesn't hurt..... much.
 
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You may see a larger temp dip when you put the birds on, and a bit longer recovery time. But your overall cook time shouldn't vary much. Best to have two therms, one for each bird that way your not having to open the smoker up to check. Don't be surprised if one bird gets done sooner than the other.
and he is so right !!!! I have done three in my electric smoker at the same time ,  smallest on the top rack ,  largest on the bottom and as before smoker up to temp then the birs went in temp went down and it took about 45 minutes to get back to temp , but my cook time was a little longer but only by 30 minutes not real bad.

good luck with the test !

and take some pics so we know how it came out !
 
Best bird you will ever eat....good thinking to do a test run....allow plenty of time for them to get done & don't ruin YOUR Thanksgiving by being under the gun.....have it all organized....on paper...LOL......Willie
 
I highly recomend two things. When you do your two turkeys, get the biggest two that will fit on the smoker. Trust me there will be fights over any leftovers and you'll still want a smoked turkey gumbo or soup too! Don't worry about figuring pounds per person...

Second, Thanksgiving your going to want a presentation bird, I can't recommend enough the use of "Kitchen Bouquet" as a rub before any spiced are put on the outside. It has NO taste you will notice on the bird. It will give you the most beautiful mohogany color on your bird. Kitchen Bouquet is available nearly anywhere as a browning and seasoning sauce. Below is a bird I did with it.



Yes its cheating, yes its easy, My Pop always used it and taught to me as the "Family secret".  Try it on your test bird.

This is all great advice! I plan on cooking a turkey in the smoker this year (maybe just a breast) and I like the kitchen bouquet tip! The color on that bird of yours is amazing!
Good stuff , brother. Thanks.
 
This is all great advice! I plan on cooking a turkey in the smoker this year (maybe just a breast) and I like the kitchen bouquet tip! The color on that bird of yours is amazing!
Good stuff , brother. Thanks.
Can ya see those apricots pearring out the chest cavity? All those juices and the bird still waiting to be sliced? That turkey had been in the freezer for 2 years awaiting its debut! LOL
 
I tried a whole turkey once, it turned out dry.  I've done around a dozen turkey breasts and never had a dry one.  I would make sure to brine it overnight.
 
 The WSM does fine with two birds, I highly suggest you look up Tip's Slaughterhouse Brine and use it on both birds. Brine them overnight, pat them dry, then rub the skin and under the skin with a mixture of butter and seasonings. DON'T stuff the birds! Stuffing keeps them in the danger zone to long - making everybody sick is not a good Thanksgiving. Don't worry about basting the lower bird, it will get all the drippings from the upper one, only baste the upper one if you are opening the smoker for some other reason.

You will definately be fighting for any left overs, they are really really good!
 
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