Smoke Turkey in the pan or on the grates?

[kevinwi]

I'm cooking TG for 50.
Three 15 lb birds and two hams.
I've got everything worked out ..... I will brine two of the birds and inject the third. Spatchcock all the birds....
I'm looking for the quickest cook which will be hot and fast..... but the advice I'm seeking is to cook the birds in the aluminum pans or just lay it on the grill and skip the pans? This will be cooked on my Lang 60 offset reverse flow.

 

[forktender]

I like to do them on a rack, in a foil pan to catch the drippings for gravy or dressing.
Likewise, I normally add some rough cut onion, celery, carrots, and a cup or two of white wine to the pan.

 

[kevinwi]

I like to do them on a rack, in a foil pan to catch the drippings for gravy or dressing.
Likewise, I normally add some rough cut onion, celery, carrots, and a cup or two of white wine to the pan.

not an option....I don't have racks....lol....but it's an idea.

 

[chilerelleno]

Buy racks, some cheap roasting pans come with a rack.
Without racks you're gonna have a Soggy Bottom Bird.

You can do them either way, I like them both ways.
A tray full of aromatics does impart subtle flavor.

Or you can also buy several bunches of fresh herbs, e.g. Sage, Thyme or Rosemary and make a bed directly under the birds, a really nice infusion of flavor.

 

[Gonna Smoke]

Here's a video that may help...

Thanksgiving - How to Smoke a Whole Turkey - Video

There are many correct methods for smoking the Thanksgiving turkey as you might imagine.. this video is simply how I do it most of the time. If you've never smoked a turkey before, I recommend you practice one a few weeks before the big day.

www.smokingmeatforums.com

 

[chilerelleno]

I highly recommend Spatchcocking the bird.
Regular or Frogged, both work very well.

Here's some of my turkey cooks.

TURKEY

Frog Spatchcocked Turkey
Thanksgiving and Falls Got Me Feeling Froggy
Cajun Smoked Turkey
Couple of Christmas Turkeys
Today I Gave Everybody the Bird, Turkey That Is
Christmas Dinner Turkey
Smoked Gobbler Got Gobbled
Brined Buttered and Smoked

 

[JckDanls 07]

Spatchcocked and staight on the grate for me... Pan full of forktender 's goodies under it (more than likely on the RF plate) ... The way I do it on the Tractor (build in my signature below) ...

 

[kevinwi]

I highly recommend Spatchcocking the bird.
Regular or Frogged, both work very well.

Here's some of my turkey cooks.

TURKEY

Frog Spatchcocked Turkey
Thanksgiving and Falls Got Me Feeling Froggy
Cajun Smoked Turkey
Couple of Christmas Turkeys
Today I Gave Everybody the Bird, Turkey That Is
Christmas Dinner Turkey
Smoked Gobbler Got Gobbled
Brined Buttered and Smoked

yep...I wrote that they would be spactchcocked. Question is pan or grate.

 

[kevinwi]

Here's a video that may help...

Thanksgiving - How to Smoke a Whole Turkey - Video

There are many correct methods for smoking the Thanksgiving turkey as you might imagine.. this video is simply how I do it most of the time. If you've never smoked a turkey before, I recommend you practice one a few weeks before the big day.

www.smokingmeatforums.com

yep...already saw that video...didn't really give an answer to my question since A. I'm spatchcocking the birds and he did a full bird, and B. didn't answer the question on on the grate or in the pan for me for the quickest cook.

 

[chilerelleno]

yep...I wrote that they would be spactchcocked. Question is pan or grate.

Quickest, hot-n-fast 350°-375° directly on the grates.

 

[forktender]

not an option....I don't have racks....lol....but it's an idea.

I use a cookie cooling rack, that fits in the bottom of the aluminum pan.
You can also wad up some foil to elevate the bird, done it this way many times in duck, and deer camp.

 

[Elf@shore]

Make a bed of raw vegetables in the bottom of the pan.
Like a square campfire.
Raising the bird up .
Cover the bird with cheese cloth
Add cider/ apple juice to the bottom of the pan
After an hour or so, start basting the cheese cloth cloth.
It’s helps keeping the moisture in.
Only add water if needed
No more juice, will be too much acid in it
After 2 hours can splash some wine over it
Hope this helps you!

 

[Elf@shore]

Meat Racks:
Napoleon 3 in 1 Model 56019
Stainless Steel
BBQ Guys on sale!
$15
Last rack you will buy!
Use for roasting
Has a beer can holder
Flip it over for BBQ Ribs!

 

[kevinwi]

xxx

 

[kevinwi]

Meat Racks:
Napoleon 3 in 1 Model 56019
Stainless Steel
BBQ Guys on sale!
$15
Last rack you will buy!
Use for roasting
Has a beer can holder
Flip it over for BBQ Ribs!

probably not ideal for spatchcocked poultry due to the curve.

Edit...I see now...its reversible.

 

[chopsaw]

Haven't ran an offset in years , but as to your question , I'd go right on the grate if it was me .
Catch pan underneath as suggested above . I use the pans to contain the mess , I don't save drippings . Brining and injecting give me the result I like .