Turkey Cooking Unevenly (Help!!!)

srockrae · 11-22-2012, 12:17 PM

I am smoking a 17 lb turkey on a Primo (similar to Green Egg). I spatchcocked it and chilled the breast with ice before putting it on my smoker. I have three temperature probes in now and they are reading as follows 1) Thigh leftis 140 degrees 2) Thigh Right is 156 2) Breast is 110 degrees. I am concerned that at the rate the bird is cooking that the thighs will be done at 165-170 but the breast will not be in the safe range. I just rotated it on the smoker 180 degrees. Any ideas? Would covering the top of the turkey with tin foil increase the heat at the breast to a higher temp? What is a safe temp if the thighs are done?

PatioDaddio · 11-22-2012, 12:23 PM

I'd let it ride and I think you'll be fine. The dark meat is fine even at 180*.

John

gtr · 11-22-2012, 12:30 PM

^^^what PD says - always!

PatioDaddio · 11-22-2012, 12:36 PM

Oh, and pull it off when the breast is 160* and the thigh is at least 160*.

John

TurkeyLeg · 11-22-2012, 12:47 PM

Not to hijack, but after you pull it how long do you let it rest?

PatioDaddio · 11-22-2012, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurkeyLeg

Not to hijack, but after you pull it how long do you let it rest?

30 minutes, loosely tented with foil. If it's a small bird, 20 minutes should be long enough.

John

srockrae · 11-22-2012, 01:44 PM

Talked to Butterball people. They said the breast would catch up with the Thighs. They were right, what do you know. Final Pull temps. Breast 160 degrees, Thighs 168 degrees.

PatioDaddio · 11-22-2012, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srockrae

Talked to Butterball people. They said the breast would catch up with the Thighs. They were right, what do you know. Final Pull temps. Breast 160 degrees, Thighs 168 degrees.

Perfect! I'm glad that the turkey chicks could give you proper guidance. ;-)

John

srockrae · 11-22-2012, 01:54 PM

Thanks to you too for the ranges with the dark meat being OK at higher temp. Kept me from panicing.

11-22-2012, 12:17 PM	#1
srockrae Got rid of the matchlight. Join Date: 06-17-10 Location: Kennesaw GA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Turkey Cooking Unevenly (Help!!!) I am smoking a 17 lb turkey on a Primo (similar to Green Egg). I spatchcocked it and chilled the breast with ice before putting it on my smoker. I have three temperature probes in now and they are reading as follows 1) Thigh leftis 140 degrees 2) Thigh Right is 156 2) Breast is 110 degrees. I am concerned that at the rate the bird is cooking that the thighs will be done at 165-170 but the breast will not be in the safe range. I just rotated it on the smoker 180 degrees. Any ideas? Would covering the top of the turkey with tin foil increase the heat at the breast to a higher temp? What is a safe temp if the thighs are done?

11-22-2012, 12:30 PM	#3
gtr Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 10-16-10 Location: Culver City, CA Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	^^^what PD says - always! __________________ 50" Klose BYC, Backwoods Chubby, UDS, 26" & 22.5" Weber Kettles, Jumbo Joe, WGA, WSJ/MUDS, Jumbo Old Smokey, Pig Hibachi, a piece of expanded metal I throw over the fire pit sometimes, Stealthy Black & Vol Orange Thermapens Displaced East Tennesseean Proud recipient of a Tick Former outlaw MOINK baller, now IMBAS Certified, but still lookin' over my shoulder. Golden Goose Egg - Got 2 in the nest baby! SPFP Mayzie's keeping an eye out for you! WTFWGALD?

11-22-2012, 12:23 PM	#2
PatioDaddio Babbling Farker Join Date: 05-04-08 Location: Boise, Idaho Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I'd let it ride and I think you'll be fine. The dark meat is fine even at 180*. John

11-22-2012, 12:36 PM	#4
PatioDaddio Babbling Farker Join Date: 05-04-08 Location: Boise, Idaho Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Oh, and pull it off when the breast is 160* and the thigh is at least 160*. John

11-22-2012, 12:47 PM	#5
TurkeyLeg Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 02-04-12 Location: wilmington,de Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Not to hijack, but after you pull it how long do you let it rest?

11-22-2012, 01:44 PM	#7
srockrae Got rid of the matchlight. Join Date: 06-17-10 Location: Kennesaw GA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Talked to Butterball people. They said the breast would catch up with the Thighs. They were right, what do you know. Final Pull temps. Breast 160 degrees, Thighs 168 degrees.

11-22-2012, 01:54 PM	#9
srockrae Got rid of the matchlight. Join Date: 06-17-10 Location: Kennesaw GA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thanks to you too for the ranges with the dark meat being OK at higher temp. Kept me from panicing.