Quick turkey question

[moosevandyke]

I have a 12 pound bird. I didn't inject the meat but did an overnight brine. I will wait to probe with thermometer at around 4 hours. If I don't hit the 140 in 4 hours am i ok??

 

[pgsmoker64]

Just curious, why are you worried about not hitting 140 in 4 hours?  At what temp are you smoking?

I smoke my turkeys at about 275 - 300 and have never had a problem getting to safe temp.  This temp makes for better skin too.

Good idea not to allow poultry to remain in the danger zone for 4 hours - this just breeds bacteria.

I see a WSM in your profile pic which is what I do my birds on, you should be fine with that!

 

[moosevandyke]

Yea my temp is between 250-275. I also smoking a 12 pound brisket on top rack and turkey on lower rack. I know it's a bit high for a brisket but I did a brisket a couple weeks ago in that temp range and it turned out great. I just wasn't sure at the lower temps if I would hit the 140.

 

[pgsmoker64]

Yea my temp is between 250-275. I also smoking a 12 pound brisket on top rack and turkey on lower rack. I know it's a bit high for a brisket but I did a brisket a couple weeks ago in that temp range and it turned out great. I just wasn't sure at the lower temps if I would hit the 140.

You might want to switch the turkey and brisket...that turkey is going to be ready a lot sooner than the brisky unless you started it much earlier!  No worries on hitting the 140 in time.  Pull that bird at an IT of 165 or he'll dry out on you.

Good luck,

Bill

 

[s2k9k]

If you did not inject or compromise the surface then the 40-140 doesn't even apply. A 12# bird smoking at that temp will be fine, you will probably hit 150-160 in 4 hours.

 

[moosevandyke]

Thanks guys! I will update with some photos as the smoke goes on.