Big turkey + UDS + rotisserie questions

Wh1skey6 · 11-13-2012, 02:38 PM

I am smoking a turkey for Thanksgiving this year for my in-laws. Being that this is the first time, I don't want to screw it up. I plan on doing it in the UDS.

This is a big bird (20 pounds). (Yes, I know the arguments about unsafe temps for x amount of blah blah blah). Frozen, it has about a 12" diameter at it's widest point. I do NOT have a domed lid for the UDS. I do have a Weber rotisserie. My thought is I could mount the rotisserie low enough in the UDS to leave a few inches between the turkey and the flat lid. This would put the lowest point of the turkey about 18” to the bottom of the firebox. Is that too low? Should I bite the bullet and force my Weber kettle lid to fit the UDS? What if I used a pizza pan as a heat diffuser?

I’ve read temp/times that span anywhere from a few hours to half a day. My plan is to smoke it at 250 for 8 to 10 (30 min per pound) hours, than 350 until it hits 165 and the skin is crispy. Is there anything wrong with this plan?

polishdon · 11-13-2012, 03:03 PM

Check out skidder's reply here, there is your answer:

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=147724

Skidder · 11-13-2012, 03:28 PM

Yup what I did.

Wh1skey6 · 11-13-2012, 03:41 PM

I really don't want to buy the Weber kit and I don't have access to another drum to hack up.

polishdon · 11-14-2012, 12:49 PM

I must have read your post wrong then, cause it says "I do have a Weber rotisserie".

Wh1skey6 · 11-15-2012, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polishdon

I must have read your post wrong then, cause it says "I do have a Weber rotisserie".

I have the actual Weber branded spit and motor, not the ring.

I measured the frozen turkey and it has a circumference of 32", which means it has a diameter of about 10.2".

Something like this below. Weber spit would be about 8" from the top of the drum. I would pull the grate when using the spit. The heat diffuser will block direct heat on the bird. I can pull it when I'm not doing poultry.

Grizzly6 · 11-15-2012, 09:38 AM

Why rotisserie?

If this is your first bird on the UDS then either keep it simple and cook breast side up or spatchcock it. I have done a couple both ways and they turn out pretty good. My two cents.

chad · 11-15-2012, 10:30 AM

Balancing a 20# bird on a rotisserie, especially if you haven't used it before is a Thanksgiving Jackass movie moment waiting to happen! But, I digress, I'd either spatchcock it or set it upright on a Foster's can. Good luck.

Wh1skey6 · 11-15-2012, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chad

Balancing a 20# bird on a rotisserie, especially if you haven't used it before is a Thanksgiving Jackass movie moment waiting to happen! But, I digress, I'd either spatchcock it or set it upright on a Foster's can. Good luck.

Yeah, my wife has concerns about bad things happening with that heavy of a bird.

I am going to do a chicken tomorrow to test it out but we may be doing beer can turkey instead. I just need to make sure I can clear the lid with it stand/sitting up.

Chitown_hillbilly · 11-15-2012, 10:42 AM

"Spatchcock... Spatchcock... Spatchcock"

I'm chanting and pumping my fist in the air at my desk in case you couldn't tell...

willbird · 11-15-2012, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chitown_hillbilly

"Spatchcock... Spatchcock... Spatchcock"

I'm chanting and pumping my fist in the air at my desk in case you couldn't tell...

But does it end up too big to fit then all laid out ??

Wh1skey6 · 11-15-2012, 11:16 AM

Good point, willbird. My bird has a 10.2" diameter frozen. This may be a tight fit.

willbird · 11-15-2012, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wh1skey6

Good point, willbird. My bird has a 10.2" diameter frozen. This may be a tight fit.

Might need a "muffin top" drum hehe.

Bill

Wh1skey6 · 11-18-2012, 09:08 AM

Test run yesterday. Spatchcocked a 5 lb bird. Brined it in salt, seasoning salt, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, and apple cider vinegar. Rubbed it with same dry ingredients but added Cajun seasoning and Chinese five spice. Injected it with dry ingredients but added melted butter.

Used my new ET 732 and can't imagine smoking without one. Used one piece of hickory and some plum wood. 1 hour and 15 minutes later, the breast was at 165. It went from 145 to 165 in no time. I would have pron but the kid and her friend started tearing into it as soon as it hit the table. I can't believe how easy it pulled apart! My daughter pulled the leg and the thigh came off with it! Not sure if that is a sign it was overdone but the food disappeared quickly.

This is the way I am going to do the turkey, but use the Hurricane rub/injection.

IamMadMan · 11-18-2012, 04:49 PM

TRY THE TURKEY CANNON

It's something very similar to a "beer can chicken", but it allows the turkey to lay down so it will more easily fit on the smoker/grill, and infuse flavor inside the cavity of the bird.

You may be able to find it cheaper on Amazon or Ebay..... just do a quick search:

here is where I bought mine
Infusion Roaster Kit

11-13-2012, 02:38 PM	#1
Wh1skey6 Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 10-31-12 Location: Spokane, WA	Big turkey + UDS + rotisserie questions I am smoking a turkey for Thanksgiving this year for my in-laws. Being that this is the first time, I don't want to screw it up. I plan on doing it in the UDS. This is a big bird (20 pounds). (Yes, I know the arguments about unsafe temps for x amount of blah blah blah). Frozen, it has about a 12" diameter at it's widest point. I do NOT have a domed lid for the UDS. I do have a Weber rotisserie. My thought is I could mount the rotisserie low enough in the UDS to leave a few inches between the turkey and the flat lid. This would put the lowest point of the turkey about 18” to the bottom of the firebox. Is that too low? Should I bite the bullet and force my Weber kettle lid to fit the UDS? What if I used a pizza pan as a heat diffuser? I’ve read temp/times that span anywhere from a few hours to half a day. My plan is to smoke it at 250 for 8 to 10 (30 min per pound) hours, than 350 until it hits 165 and the skin is crispy. Is there anything wrong with this plan? __________________ Whiskey makes everything better.

11-13-2012, 03:03 PM	#2
polishdon Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 10-07-09 Location: Lake View, NY	Check out skidder's reply here, there is your answer: http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=147724 __________________ Humphrey's Battle Box;WSM; OTS; DPP Trailer Clone, Wood Fired Double Kettle Pizza Cooker

11-13-2012, 03:41 PM	#4
Wh1skey6 Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 10-31-12 Location: Spokane, WA	I really don't want to buy the Weber kit and I don't have access to another drum to hack up. __________________ Whiskey makes everything better.

11-14-2012, 12:49 PM	#5
polishdon Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 10-07-09 Location: Lake View, NY	I must have read your post wrong then, cause it says "I do have a Weber rotisserie". __________________ Humphrey's Battle Box;WSM; OTS; DPP Trailer Clone, Wood Fired Double Kettle Pizza Cooker

11-15-2012, 09:38 AM	#7
Grizzly6 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 05-31-12 Location: Altoona, IA	Why rotisserie? If this is your first bird on the UDS then either keep it simple and cook breast side up or spatchcock it. I have done a couple both ways and they turn out pretty good. My two cents. __________________ Brinkmann Longhorn stick burner 55gal Black UDS 85gal XL UDS DUCAN Affinity - gasser Mini UDS (For the 12 yr old of course) Extreme amounts of awesome to assist 12 yr old who loves to cook, and an 9 yr old who is getting interested

11-13-2012, 03:28 PM	#3
Skidder Babbling Farker Join Date: 02-02-08 Location: Westfield,Ma.	Yup what I did.

11-15-2012, 10:30 AM	#8
chad somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 08-13-03 Location: Clearwater, FL	Balancing a 20# bird on a rotisserie, especially if you haven't used it before is a Thanksgiving Jackass movie moment waiting to happen! But, I digress, I'd either spatchcock it or set it upright on a Foster's can. Good luck. __________________ Dave Southern Brethren BBQ Competition Team "It's all about getting paid!" - Myron Mixon "I love being hated in my hometown!" - David Hair KingFisher Gator Rotisserie cooker (RIP), WSM (RIP), Stainless 5 burner with IR gas grill (RIP), Turkey Fryer, Weber JD Commemorative grill (RIP), Masterbuilt 40" insulated ELECTRIC smoker (new heating element), Pit Boss Tailgater pellet pooper.

11-15-2012, 10:42 AM	#10
Chitown_hillbilly Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 06-01-11 Location: Morris, IL	"Spatchcock... Spatchcock... Spatchcock" I'm chanting and pumping my fist in the air at my desk in case you couldn't tell...

11-15-2012, 11:16 AM	#12
Wh1skey6 Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 10-31-12 Location: Spokane, WA	Good point, willbird. My bird has a 10.2" diameter frozen. This may be a tight fit. __________________ Whiskey makes everything better.

11-18-2012, 09:08 AM	#14
Wh1skey6 Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 10-31-12 Location: Spokane, WA	Test run yesterday. Spatchcocked a 5 lb bird. Brined it in salt, seasoning salt, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, and apple cider vinegar. Rubbed it with same dry ingredients but added Cajun seasoning and Chinese five spice. Injected it with dry ingredients but added melted butter. Used my new ET 732 and can't imagine smoking without one. Used one piece of hickory and some plum wood. 1 hour and 15 minutes later, the breast was at 165. It went from 145 to 165 in no time. I would have pron but the kid and her friend started tearing into it as soon as it hit the table. I can't believe how easy it pulled apart! My daughter pulled the leg and the thigh came off with it! Not sure if that is a sign it was overdone but the food disappeared quickly. This is the way I am going to do the turkey, but use the Hurricane rub/injection. __________________ Whiskey makes everything better.

11-18-2012, 04:49 PM	#15
IamMadMan somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-30-11 Location: Pemberton, New Jersey	TRY THE TURKEY CANNON It's something very similar to a "beer can chicken", but it allows the turkey to lay down so it will more easily fit on the smoker/grill, and infuse flavor inside the cavity of the bird. You may be able to find it cheaper on Amazon or Ebay..... just do a quick search: here is where I bought mine Infusion Roaster Kit