Grill Size Needed for smoking 2 Turkeys

[RossBoss22]

Last year I took over Thanksgiving turkey duty for parts of my family and I used my electric smoker to do both of them at once with decent results. I am looking to upgrade/consolidate equipment from a gas grill and electric smoker to a pellet grill. The one I have had my eye on is the Weber Searwood 600XL since it seems like it can smoke pretty well and can sear better than the rest without accessories. I have not pulled the trigger because I have not found much information about smoking 2 turkeys (around 15-18 lbs) at once so I am not sure how much space I need for each. I come to you SMFers for either reassurance that the size of the 600XL would be fine or if I should look elsewhere? Would I need a bigger one or is there another/better option in the same or close price point? These birds would probably be the biggest pieces of meat I would have on the grill other than the length of some ribs or a tenderloin. We host a handful of small family events and if we make anything for these events we either smoke something beforehand or if I need more space I have a 4 burner griddle for more cooking real estate. Any guidance/suggestions is appreciated.

 

[JLinza]

Don't know much about that particular cooker, but I looked it up and it looks nice. My first thought when I read 600, I thought would be to small. But as I read further it looks like cook area in (square inches) is like 972. That should be big enough. Me personally, I'm in the camp of... Go big or go home, ( for what you need of course.) I can easily fit two Turkeys on my MB 1050. If the cook area really is 972. My guess is you'd be fine. Maybe others who have done 2 at once will have better advise. Good luck on your pick.

 

[SmokingUPnorth]

What’s your budget? Birds that size y have to pay attention to the “danger zone”

 

[RossBoss22]

What’s your budget? Birds that size y have to pay attention to the “danger zone”

My budget would be around $1,200, or a little more if the features/quality is there.

 

[BigW.]

You may want to spatchcock those two birds for faster cooking. Not sure about grill size. Couple folks have the older Weber. Maybe chopsaw can answer your question.

 

[chopsaw]

had my eye on is the Weber Searwood

That's the revamped SmokeFire . That 600XL is plenty big . Actual smoking of turkeys is called at up to 12 pounds . If you're going on the hot side there shouldn't be any worries . My opinion would be that you have to get those birds cooked using 350 or higher .

Anyway , I have the SmokeFire ex4 which is the smaller of the 2 SmokeFires . It has 672 total cooking area . The bottom alone is 432 .
This is a chicken , about 8 pounds and a half sheet pan . Lower grate is 18X24 on the EX4 . Searwood XL is 17X36 . Plenty of room for 2 birds , plus you still have the upper shelf .

I did these 2 breasts on my EX4 . Came out great .

smoke pretty well and can sear better than the rest without accessories.

Have not used a Searwood , but the SmokeFire is a smoking , grilling machine . Plus everything in between . Searwood is supposed to be an upgrade , so I would expect the same results .

 

[normanaj]

A local guy I know just got a great on a EX6 and he does this Christmas in July thing and did a turkey and a ham with various other items in pans etc. and still had room in the pics he showed me.

 

[chopsaw]

did these 2 breasts on my EX4 .

Forgot the link . R RossBoss22 I like to break the birds down into parts . Bone and roll the breast , cure and smoke the legs , thighs and wings .

Smoked Turkey breast

This came up in another thread about BBQ chains stores . I mentioned that a local place had great Turkey and it made me rethink the process . @SmokinVOLfan asked about it , so I figured I would write it out . Here's a thread on how I was doing them before I had the Turkey from Sugar fire BBQ ...

www.smokingmeatforums.com

 

[ifitsdeadsmokeit]

I smoked two 20 lb turkeys last Thanksgiving on my Yoder 640s. I did not have any issues bringing up to temp in time or space. It is 1070 sq in. I wouldnt smoke them at 225° but if it can get to 300° you won't have any issues.

 

[zwiller]

Never understood the Weber brand rage until I got my Smokefire. LOVE that thing. Wish I had bought it years ago. Searwood is the latest so I would imagine it would be fantastic as well. Not a replacement for an electric smoker or gas grill tho. Different beasts for different things... I suggest you go to Lowes/HD/Ace and check one out it person but think 2 large birds will fit easily.

 

[RossBoss22]

Never understood the Weber brand rage until I got my Smokefire. LOVE that thing. Wish I had bought it years ago. Searwood is the latest so I would imagine it would be fantastic as well. Not a replacement for an electric smoker or gas grill tho. Different beasts for different things... I suggest you go to Lowes/HD/Ace and check one out it person but think 2 large birds will fit easily.

The local stores close to me only have the smaller version in store which gave me a good idea of the size and build quality but next time I’m in Lowes ill borrow a tape measure and get a better idea of the extra space.

 

[civilsmoker]

https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/threads/brining-and-smoking-18lb-turkey.324250/#post-2475180

I have done a number of 20 lbers, the thread above has it detailed out… the 600xl will smoke roast 2-20 lbers nicely. You might have to rotate them a couple of times but should be no issue!

 

[mike243]

Give it low heat heavy smoke for 1 hour then transfer to a cooking bag and finish in the oven. I have done them a lot of ways and this is always a winner for me. I also like to inject Creole butter