Turkey First Timer - Looking for Aprox Smoke Time

[jmorey]

I figured this sub forum would blow up as this week progressed. I have been a bit scared to do an entire turkey as I have only smoked poultry once (chicken drumsticks) and they looked awesome but were not good at all.

Mostly I am looking for timing/temperature so I can figure out a game plan.

MES30
12.73 lb turkey
Brined (currently doing Alton Browns brine and thaw combo)
In Michigan, so it is a bit cold out.

I also referenced this thread, which it looked it be about 3 hours for a 12lb here. SO I would assume around the same, but couldn't find enough other references. Would be amazing if we could get a chart together of various times, sizes, and temperatures
https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/threads/whole-turkey-on-mes30.112800/

If anyone else cares about the other details, I think I am going to use either cherry or a combo of cherry and pecan. I don't have any apple pellets right now. Will do sand in the pan as normal instead of water. Also, like I said I was kind of scared off poultry, and don't want to be missing the main course. So I am also roasting a 15 lb like I normally do. I also plan to probably put the smoked one in the oven at the end to help with the skin.

Any help on a timetable?

 

[jmorey]

I have also seen some other info that says 30min per pound. Which would be way different from what I have seen in threads like the one I linked to. 6 hours vs 3-4 hours on a 12lb bird is a huge difference.

 

[hardcookin]

300-325 approximately 25 minutes Ib

 

[tallbm]

I got some info online and it may give you an idea of what to expect at 250F since that is in the MES's wheelhouse though I recommend you go top temp of what your MES can do on a turkey. The 250F info mentions they run the bird at 475F for 20 minutes and then go down to 250F. If you wanted to follow this procedure I guess you would start in the oven and then move to smoker.

I also found some USDA info for oven roasted turkey at 325F. Review the 250F info and the 325F info and you should be able to make a good guesstimate on time for yourself at your temps... provided you can keep consistent temps:

325F time:

Timetables for Turkey Roasting
(325 °F oven temperature)

Use the timetables below to determine how long to cook your turkey. These times are approximate. Always use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of your turkey and stuffing.

QUOTED 250F INFO BELOW:

If your oven is accurate and your turkey has been completely thawed, the turkey cooking time chart below should give you a perfect turkey. But always use a meat thermometer to be sure.

Note: You do not remove the turkey from the oven after the first 20 minutes at 475° to wait for the oven temperature to fall to 250°. You just turn the oven down to 250° and immediately start the timer for the time to cook at 250°.

 

[MikeS1971]

Do these smoking times work for a turkey that been seperated? My mother purchased the turkey, but it's too large to fit in my smoker. Whole or butterflied. So it's being seperated into three sections. The breast section, and the left and right thigh/legs.

It started out as a whole 22 pound turkey. I would of bought two smaller turkey's if I was there to aid in her purchasing decision.

Just curious the approximate time. My uneducated guess is the the larger breast section will take longer. I have several digital thermometers, so I can monitor each part and remove accordingly. Just want to make sure I finish with time to spare.