Smoking Turkey 140 Rule Help!

[brick1969]

First time smoking turkey. Following Butterball's suggestion, the temp was 125 degrees after 3.5 hours so I moved to oven. But by doing that it took about 4 hours and 12 minutes to reach 140 degrees in the oven. Is the turkey ruined? Thanks.

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

No, the turkey is not ruined.
Also, it's never a good idea to experiment with "first time smoking" on the big day.
Perform a couple practice runs beforehand.
Your guests will appreciate it.

Pasteurization Time for Poultry With 5% Fat Content (7-log10 lethality)

Temperature	Time
136°F (58°C)	65.3 minutes
140°F (60°C)	29 minutes
145°F (63°C)	10.8 minutes
150°F (66°C)	3.7 minutes
155°F (68°C)	1.2 minutes
160°F (71°C)	26.1 seconds
165°F (74°C)	Instant

 

[golfpro2301]

Def not ruined. I have been in same boat before and anytime I cook Turkey now I usually go to 155. Never go to 165 and have missed 40-140 rule plenty of times

 

[brick1969]

No, the turkey is not ruined.
Also, it's never a good idea to experiment with "first time smoking" on the big day.
Perform a couple practice runs beforehand.
Your guests will appreciate it.

Pasteurization Time for Poultry With 5% Fat Content (7-log10 lethality)

Temperature	Time
136°F (58°C)	65.3 minutes
140°F (60°C)	29 minutes
145°F (63°C)	10.8 minutes
150°F (66°C)	3.7 minutes
155°F (68°C)	1.2 minutes
160°F (71°C)	26.1 seconds
165°F (74°C)	Instant

Thanks for the info! I agree and I usually don't perform "firsts" on the big day, but this was an emergency situation - family member had an accident and couldn't smoke it so I was volunteered. I've smoked lots of other meats, but never a whole turkey.

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

Thanks for the info! I agree and I usually don't perform "firsts" on the big day, but this was an emergency situation - family member had an accident and couldn't smoke it so I was volunteered. I've smoked lots of other meats, but never a whole turkey.

You're welcome.
I hope your family member is okay.
It's great that you have the experience to have been able to step in during the emergency too.
Typically, it is safe to smoke a whole unstuffed bird that weighs 12-15 lbs.
For a bird over that weight, then you would be better off spatchcocking it since it will cook faster and more evenly.
At least now you can scratch smoked whole turkey off the bucket list.

Merry Christmas.

 

[noboundaries]

As others have said, and you've learned by now, absoluty safe. It reads like you were "smoking" the bird in the 225-250F range. Not a great temp for poultry. 275-350F+ is a better temp range. Poultry likes the heat if you like crisp skin.

 

[brick1969]

As others have said, and you've learned by now, absoluty safe. It reads like you were "smoking" the bird in the 225-250F range. Not a great temp for poultry. 275-350F+ is a better temp range. Poultry likes the heat if you like crisp skin.

Thanks! Yes, it was around 230 which I now know isn't good for turkey. Next time will be much better. This is an awesome community with lots of great info! Thanks!

 

[brick1969]

You're welcome.
I hope your family member is okay.
It's great that you have the experience to have been able to step in during the emergency too.
Typically, it is safe to smoke a whole unstuffed bird that weighs 12-15 lbs.
For a bird over that weight, then you would be better off spatchcocking it since it will cook faster and more evenly.
At least now you can scratch smoked whole turkey off the bucket list.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas! Yes, now I know the correct way to smoke a whole turkey! Thanks again!

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

Merry Christmas! Yes, now I know the correct way to smoke a whole turkey! Thanks again!

Thank you and welcome aboard.
Pull up a chair. You'll fit right in with the rest of us here at SMF.