Smoking first turkey

[bigr314]

I am going to smoke my first turkey this week. What is the best temp. to smoke the turkey.Should the temp. probe be at grill level or higher because the bird will go about 6 inches high on the grill.in the forum I have read anywhere from 225 to 350.

 

[SmokinAl]

300-325 if you want crispy skin. Or you can smoke it at 225 until it's getting close to done then bump the temp up to crisp the skin. Put the temp probe at grill level or a couple of inches higher, as in thru a potato or block of wood.

 

[teeznuts]

How much does turkey weigh? It took me 3 hours and 48 minutes to clear the danger zone, 140 degrees, on a 15 1/2 lb bird last week. I was smoking at 225. That was cutting it a little close so size and temp are definite things to consider.

 

[bigr314]

The turkey weighs just under 13 pounds.

 

[teeznuts]

You can definitely clear the danger zone at 225 with a 13 lb bird as long as it's fully thawed but you may cut it a little close. I dont eat the skin so I smoke at 225.

 

[straatshootr]

so if my thawed turkey is just over 9 pounds, what temp (or range) and estimate of time??