Which Size of Thighs Do You Prefer?

thirdeye · 08-28-2019, 04:00 PM

We picked up some family size packs of thighs today for our first competition and after sorting for size there are almost equal amounts of large and medium sizes. I plan on trimming for the standard pillow shape and am curious if there is an advantage to select one size over the other. I looked closely at thighs when judging at two comps this month, and most of the thigh turn in's appeared to be from the medium size.

masque13 · 08-29-2019, 02:26 AM

I do legs but I usually go with medium sized legs. They cook quicker, not that I need them to do so......I guess I’m just saying the medium sized chicken, whether legs or thighs, have less chance of getting stubborn on you and not reaching desired temps in the time you allotted, and they are easier to get into the box in a way that is pleasing to my eyes.

tduffy · 08-29-2019, 10:53 AM

Out of the package I want them 7-8 oz and after trimmed anything less than 4oz goes in the trash. I want them between 4oz and 4.5oz.

Right on Q · 08-29-2019, 11:33 AM

As identical as possible and definitely not on the small side out of the package.

You'll also have more consistent results if you do what tduffy does and weigh them to get them very close in sized when trimmed

Hope this helps. Don't overthink your first contest. Go have fun and goal should be to turn in all 4 meats without DQ

BoneDaddy's · 08-29-2019, 12:13 PM

Any consistent size will work, just make sure they (all 6) fit in the box!

mcbrew13 · 08-29-2019, 12:40 PM

135g plus or minus 5g trimmed. Yes, I weigh them while trimming. But....as said for your 1st comp, don't sweat it. Have fun and good luck.

thirdeye · 08-31-2019, 07:16 PM

Thanks for those tips on weight, it makes perfect sense...... My 'large' thighs came in between 4.0 and 4.2 ounces after trimming. I trimmed 18 of 'em, and vacuum sealed them on squares cut from a disposable cutting board thinking this might be handy when handling and injecting/seasoning after meat inspection.

Joe Black · 09-01-2019, 02:44 PM

I like thighs soft and smooth. Not fat and not boney. As long as they look good at the beach.

08-28-2019, 04:00 PM	#1
thirdeye somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 01-14-06 Location: At home on the range in Wyoming	Which Size of Thighs Do You Prefer? We picked up some family size packs of thighs today for our first competition and after sorting for size there are almost equal amounts of large and medium sizes. I plan on trimming for the standard pillow shape and am curious if there is an advantage to select one size over the other. I looked closely at thighs when judging at two comps this month, and most of the thigh turn in's appeared to be from the medium size. __________________ ~thirdeye~ I Play With Fire and Smoke *Barbecuist ~ Charcuterist ~ KCBS Master Judge & CTC* Big Green Eggs, Big Drum Smokers, Big Chiefs, Weber Smokey Joe "Custom Tall Boy" Oil Patch Horizontal, SnS Deluxe Kettle Visit my Cookin' Site by clicking HERE Barbecue is not rocket surgery “The problem with quotes on the Internet is that it's hard to verify their authenticity” ~ Abraham Lincoln

08-29-2019, 02:26 AM	#2
masque13 is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 05-19-14 Location: Somerset, KY	I do legs but I usually go with medium sized legs. They cook quicker, not that I need them to do so......I guess I’m just saying the medium sized chicken, whether legs or thighs, have less chance of getting stubborn on you and not reaching desired temps in the time you allotted, and they are easier to get into the box in a way that is pleasing to my eyes. __________________ [B]Sugarbaby BBQ [/B] Somerset, KY Myron Mixon MMS-48 Gateway 55G Drum

08-29-2019, 10:53 AM	#3
tduffy is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-05-11 Location: Pierre, SD	Out of the package I want them 7-8 oz and after trimmed anything less than 4oz goes in the trash. I want them between 4oz and 4.5oz. __________________ Last Call Heroes BBQ - Outlaw Smokers - Gateway Drums

08-29-2019, 11:33 AM	#4
Right on Q is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 10-21-14 Location: Olive Branch, MS	As identical as possible and definitely not on the small side out of the package. You'll also have more consistent results if you do what tduffy does and weigh them to get them very close in sized when trimmed Hope this helps. Don't overthink your first contest. Go have fun and goal should be to turn in all 4 meats without DQ __________________ Meatcraft BBQ - Backyard Jambo Pit, 18 WSM, 22 WSM, 2 X Auber controllers

08-29-2019, 12:13 PM	#5
BoneDaddy's Take a breath! Join Date: 06-24-09 Location: Bedford, NH	Any consistent size will work, just make sure they (all 6) fit in the box! __________________ Bone Daddy's; 4 Gateway Drums; XL Big Green Egg; Napoleon Pro 665

08-29-2019, 12:40 PM	#6
mcbrew13 On the road to being a farker Join Date: 02-22-10 Location: CO	135g plus or minus 5g trimmed. Yes, I weigh them while trimming. But....as said for your 1st comp, don't sweat it. Have fun and good luck.

08-31-2019, 07:16 PM	#7
thirdeye somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 01-14-06 Location: At home on the range in Wyoming	Thanks for those tips on weight, it makes perfect sense...... My 'large' thighs came in between 4.0 and 4.2 ounces after trimming. I trimmed 18 of 'em, and vacuum sealed them on squares cut from a disposable cutting board thinking this might be handy when handling and injecting/seasoning after meat inspection. __________________ ~thirdeye~ I Play With Fire and Smoke *Barbecuist ~ Charcuterist ~ KCBS Master Judge & CTC* Big Green Eggs, Big Drum Smokers, Big Chiefs, Weber Smokey Joe "Custom Tall Boy" Oil Patch Horizontal, SnS Deluxe Kettle Visit my Cookin' Site by clicking HERE Barbecue is not rocket surgery “The problem with quotes on the Internet is that it's hard to verify their authenticity” ~ Abraham Lincoln

09-01-2019, 02:44 PM	#8
Joe Black Babbling Farker Join Date: 12-05-14 Location: Greenville, SC	I like thighs soft and smooth. Not fat and not boney. As long as they look good at the beach. __________________ 24"x48" Bell Fab offset 22" Weber Premium Kettle Char-Grill gasser