Need advice. First time smokeing.

[Josh.P 86]

I finally got a smoker and gonna do my first turkey this Sunday. Wondering if anyone would mind giving me a brine recipe with directions of how long to soak it. Also temp to run the smoker and how long to keep the smoke on. Also what temp to cook the turkey to and where i should check the temp. I would assume the breast but not positive.

[OLE77]

This same forum, third post down is a whole library on smoking. Or else just search brining in search box and enjoy.

[eyeguy 54]

last 2 I did I did not brine since they were frozen at the store. turned out dandy.

[philly35]

165° in the breast and 180° in the dark meat for poultry. It's very easy to over smoke poultry so be careful. I would smoke between 250-300 degrees. I wouldn't go low and slow on a turkey because the point of a low and slow is to break down fat and connective tissue. There's none of that on poultry. If the package on your turkey says it has been injected with a solution, there's no need to brine. Otherwise, a simple salt and water brine will be all that's needed. There's no need to make the brine complicated. For the smoke, I would go with a lighter wood, preferably cherry. Hickory would be good as well.

[leech~~]

I'm thawing out my spring bird right now and will be trying my first smoked Turkey this weekend as well. Good luck!

[Walleyehooker]

Havnt done a turkey in a long time but I never brine them. First of all its not like curing and smoking fish that you will keep for a while. I also don't want the extra salt. The skin really isn't edible when done either. You can inject it or put some seasoning on the inside but not much will penetrate the skin anyway. I season the inside and toss it in the smoker. The skin turns out like rubber and keeps the juices in.

[leech~~]

Well here's my wild bird going on 6 hrs. Hopefully another 3 hrs or before dark he should be done.

[eyeguy 54]

slice, eat, smile

[leech~~]

It turned out great for my first ever Turkey! I have smoked a ton of Venison and Salmon but never a Turkey. I used Apple wood and it had a great taste!

[eyeguy 54]

apple is great on zee bird

[Josh.P 86]

Well after the advice i got here and from other people I did my turkey this weekend. I soaked it in a brine for 18 hours that consisted of salt, brown sugar, onion, and garlic. Then on the smoker for approximately 9 hours at between 240 and 270 degrees. I used cherry wood for the smoke. It turned out great. I couldn't have been happier with the end product since it was my first time smoking anything. It ended up staying juicy and the dark meat tasted a lot like ham. The white meat was less smokey and less salty which my wife and parents preferred. I THINK I'M ADDICTED. Here are some pictures.

[otterman91105]

Sure looks good

[eyeguy 54]

mmmmm

[Finns]

I don't think you should eat it. I'll be right up to take it off your hands!!!

[gunner55]

We have had smoked turkey 2 or 3 times for the holidays & often there's not much left.Most of the time my brother smokes it on the Weber.

[mrklean]

Anyone ever try hickey with turkey? I'm gonna try and smoke a bird for thanksgiving this year and wanted to try some different woods I always use Apple wood it seems

[delcecchi]

Looks good, although I think I would have used a rack so the bird wasn't sitting in that (juice, grease, whatever the liquid is).

[DonBo]

Anyone ever try hickey with turkey? I'm gonna try and smoke a bird for thanksgiving this year and wanted to try some different woods I always use Apple wood it seems

Hickory is my go-to wood of choice. I've used it for just about everything at one time or another, including turkey, with great results.

[mrklean]

Thanks Don I will give it a go

[picksbigwagon]

my favorite wood is pecan when I can find the pellets. I have used Hickory for pork, turkey and cheese, and it is a great flavor. the last time I bought pellets, it was all blended woods or apple (which I don't like at all) or mesquite. I have a 16 pound brisket to make for xmas day in my freezer and I will be darned if I use anything but pecan. If anyone in the south metro has seen pecan pellets (not Traegers, I despise that brand of pellets) let me know......

[eyeguy 54]

apple cherry hickory all good on the bird. or a mix even.

[frostbite]

picks,have you checked amaze n products? not to far of a drive and they have the best price i have found ,but you have to pick it up your self they carry lumber jack brand