Minion Method for Thanksgiving?

[thegreez]

I am smoking my first turkey for the big day, and I have been reading about the minion method.  It always seems to refer to brisket or some 10+ hour smoke.  Is it worth doing it for turkey?  It sounds cool, but am I dumb to try everything new this time.  By the way, I have a Brinkman Gourmet charcoal smoker.

 

[daveomak]

Greez, morning.... The minion method also allows for great heat/temp control...  It is a good idea to use it for all cooking except steaks which you would want to sear....  Even chicken would benefit from the minion method...  Some folks put a tin can in the center of the charcoal grate surrounded by unlit briquettes... add 6-8 lit briquettes to the can and then pull the can out.... (remove both ends of the can before attempting that little maneuver).... As the smoker temp rises, start closing down the intake vent until a stable cooking temp is reached...  Dave

 

[thegreez]

Thanks, Dave.I'll give it go.  If I bomb the Thanksgiving bird, it's on you!  Have a good holiday.

 

[jrod62]

I use the  minion method all the time. Like Dave said its great way for  heat/temp control.

 

[daveomak]

Greeze, you have time to practice the minion method today..... No food, just controlling the heat....  Well, maybe some ABT's, or boiled eggs, or mixed nuts, or chicken wings, or re smoked bacon, or sea salt,  or ......  hate to see a good smoke go to waste......