How Long to smoke?

[jts70]

I have a ten pound bird how long should I smoke it for? What temp should my smoker be at when I put the bird in?

 

[bigal]

I did one at Thanksgiving and it turned out real good. Here's what I did.

I spatchcocked it, cut out the backbone so it would lay flat. Seams to cook a little faster and easier for me to put in a brine.

I brined it over night, about 8-10 hrs. Just a basic brine, nothing too wild.

I had the smoker at about 220-240* and smoked it till the thigh hit 175* and the breast was also up to 175*. Took a while, can't remember how long, but it was very juicy and had a good smoke flavor. It was a hit.

I also did one w/out the brine, it was just as good but the meat wasn't as tasty. Still very good but the brine did add something to the meat.

Hope this helps

 

[jts70]

Thank you! Should I have the cooker at that temp when I put the bird in?

 

[pigcicles]

jts70 a bird that size should take approx. 6 - 6.5 hrs @ around 240ºish (some people will cook at even higher temps) smoker temp. I use the 240º mark to give the bird a chance to develop a good smoke ring. If someone thinks that pink on the outside isn't done, you may want to go a little faster.

Turkey and chicken don't really gain by a true low and slow method, so you want to get through the danger zone (40º - 140º) quickly. Be sure to baste to keep the skin from drying out too quickly.

Remember you can check out the Times/Temp. Table at the left of the screen. Also DeejayDebi has a very good time / temp table - Updated the Time and Temperature Chart - Thanks Debi!

Keep Smokin

 

[jts70]

Thanks so much! The temp/time table will be a big help. Just like all of you!
I cannot wait to get the first smoke. Wish me luck!

 

[domn8_ion]

You definatly want to shoot for at least 175. Maybe even up to 185 in the thigh. Since smokers very from one to the next, you're looking at between 5 to 7 hours. Just be sure to check it with an instant read thermometer if you have one before you take it off. Probably about the 5 hour mark.

 

[billysbrew]

I usually let my smoker get to temp then put in the product.

 

[bigal]

Yep, what they said. But what I do is take the bird to 175*, wrap in foil and let it sit for 1/2hr. Temp will get up to 180-185*, many things can change that, obvious ones like temp of house/outside/smoker etc.

I've yet to cut into a bird and think "eeeeeeewwwwwwwww this thing isn't done".

To be safe, and crisp up the skin, kick up the temp about 1/2hr or so before it should be done.

Better to be safe than sorry. I haven't been sorry yet on food, now my drinking is a different story

 

[jts70]

I do have a digital thermometer, thanks much for your help

 

[jts70]

Good to know. Thanks a bunch!

 

[jts70]

Godd advice again sir! I am with on the drinking side!!

 

[tonto1117]

Yepper, don't forget to brine. Good Luck.

 

[kueh]

Didn't the recommended safe temparature for a cooked turkey get lowered to 160 ? Any benefits to keeping the old standard of 180 ?

 

[bigal]

Kueh, only benifit is peace of mind............and maybe less toilet paper.

Jts70.........call me "sir" again, and I'll smoke you!!!

I'm not NEAR old enough to be called sir! All jokes aside, I take that as a complement.

Good luck w/the bird. Take pics and let us know how you did it and how it turned out.

Good luck.............ya turd.

 

[baronofbbq]

My dad is staring at the smoker smoke! Now he joined this .

Now he's over doing it .All he does is want to smoke meat (on the smoker) . Can someone tell him to stop.
From,
Emily

 

[bigal]

Hang in there Emily, and tell him how you feel. I have an 8yr old girl and a 12 yr old boy, they like to help when they can. It can be alot of fun, plenty of time to just sit and talk.

Good food though isn't it?

 

[baronofbbq]

This is what you get when you leave your computer to check the smoker!! Comments from the peanut gallery...my eight yr old daughter! On the bright side the Brisket was Killer !!!

Greg

 

[tonto1117]

Greg, that is just to cute and funny!!! Tell Emily she is a sweety.

Glad to hear your brisket was killer!!