My first thanksgiving smoke -she's cooking!

Krieg

So I got elected or conned into cooking the turkey this year. And since the family won't be here till Saturday. I got time to prepare. So naturally I'm gonna smoke it. So I decided to record my success or (hopefully not) failure. So first thing I decided to use an apple brine for this 20lb turkey.

Ingredients are: fresh ginger root, fresh bay leaves, cloves, brown sugar , oranges and apple juice, salt.

Next is to make and boil the ingredients
Let it come to room temp and then using a food safe container put the turkey in.
She has been brining since yesterday afternoon and not gonna take her till tomorrow. Then going to dry her off and let her sit in the fridge over night. This helps get the skin crispy during the cook. I'll update this thread as I go. Wish me luck!

jlmarta

Yeah! Looking good. Please keep us posted.

djbeenie

How did it turn out bro! That brine is the best brine ever!

jr_p951

How'd the bird turn out?

Hippiebrian

That looks like it will be delicious! Do us a favor, keep a photo log of how it goes as it smokes...kind of like food porn!

Funny though, I expected to read which cigar you smoked first today, lol. Had a nice 5 Vegas Atomic before work!

Dark Roast

That turkey is going to turn out great! Great prep work!

Teege

jr_p951:

How'd the bird turn out?

Yes please do tell/show

Krieg

Hippiebrian:

That looks like it will be delicious! Do us a favor, keep a photo log of how it goes as it smokes...kind of like food porn! Funny though, I expected to read which cigar you smoked first today, lol. Had a nice 5 Vegas Atomic before work!

This is the plan, gonna take it out of the brine later today and fridge it overnight. Helps the skin get crispy. Anyways, still trying to decide to use applewood or cherry for the smoke wood. Suggestions??

Direwolf

Nothing says ya can't use a lil bit of both.

djbeenie

Krieg:

Hippiebrian:

That looks like it will be delicious! Do us a favor, keep a photo log of how it goes as it smokes...kind of like food porn! Funny though, I expected to read which cigar you smoked first today, lol. Had a nice 5 Vegas Atomic before work!

This is the plan, gonna take it out of the brine later today and fridge it overnight. Helps the skin get crispy. Anyways, still trying to decide to use applewood or cherry for the smoke wood. Suggestions??

Either or, I used Apple wood on this smoke last year. Any fruit wood compliments poultry.

Marker

Which end do you puff and which end do you light? I am lost...

Teege

Marker:

Which end do you puff and which end do you light? I am lost...

That depends is it a male or female turkey?

Krieg

Ok. This is it, time for the cook. I decided to go with a mix of apple and cherry wood:
Full chimney of coals for the charcoal ring and lighting an additional whole chimney
Got a pan to catch the turkey drippings for the gravey
Firing up the chimney starter. This thing smokes light crazy. Once fully lit I will pour these on top of the unlit coals in the smoker. Since I'm using the "standard method" (cuz its a high heat cook) I will wait till all the coals are grey before adding the turkey and smoke wood.
I'll post pics soon of the turkey. So far so good. Now I think I'm gonna lite up a San lotano Connecticut paired with my morning coffee.

Krieg

While I sit and cook the turkey:

Krieg

Put the turkey on about an hour ago
She is looking good so far:

Teege

YUMMM

jj20030

ill bet thats going to be great! i love the apple wood smoke, thats all i use anymore, ill have to try cherry soon

Krieg

Love applewood too. If she turns out, she'll have a nice deep golden color to her cuz of the apple brine. Should be done next hour or two!

amz1301

Man that looks good !!! Makes me wanna rip one of those legs off and dig in.

How did she taste ?

docbp87

Oh man. YUM.