Garbage Can Turkey

[Harmonica Bear]

OK time to share. Myself, Dirty Biker and 2X4 were shown an interesting way to cook a turkey(wild or domestic) that is as about as easy and as backwoods redneck as it gets. One day this old timer shows up at our gun club, pounds a horse-shoe stake into the ground, sticks a turkey on it, puts a garbage can over the top it, surrounds the bottom with charcoal, puts some on top, lights it, walks away from it and tells us to "take it off in a hour it"ll be done!" YEAH RIGHT! Well at least we didn't have to eat crow, only turkey! Ol' Duane taught us something that day.

Anyway, we have been cooking turkeys this way ever since especially when we're camping or you really like impressing your redneck friends.

We cooked this last night at our club, (Dirty Biker demonstrates)

First you put your prepared turkey on a stake (recommend stainless). This particular wild turkey (Thanks Earl!) was injected with cajun seasoning and coated with assorted spices

Then you place your galvanized garbage can over it, surrounding the bottom with charcoal. Also place charcoal on top. We place tin foil on the ground as well.

Wait 1 to 1.5 hours depending on the amount of charcoal. This was a smaller bird and it took 1.25 hours, but we were a little shy on our charcoal. I recommend drinking beer during this period, but you can entertain yourself however you see fit. Then you get this

Which ends up looking like this

Enjoy with more refreshments!

[irvingdog]

Looks delicious, and unfortunately, dangerous. To bad, because I'd love to tinker with something like that.

From the American Welder Society Safety and Health factsheet. Other groups have an even worse opinion of heating galvanized metals than they do.

"Metal-fume Fever. Messy stuff:

SUMMARY

Here are the main points when dealing with

galvanized metal:

• Metal Fume Fever is the result of

overexposure to zinc fumes from welding,

cutting, or brazing on galvanized steel.

• Metal Fume Fever is a short–term illness

with classic flu–like symptoms.

• The permissible exposure limit (PEL)

according to OSHA is 5 milligrams of zinc

oxide fume per cubic meter of air––always

monitor and measure your breathing air.

• To avoid the illness, keep your head out of

the fumes and do not breathe the fumes.

Use enough proper ventilation and/or

exhaust. If uncertain about the ventilation,

use an approved respirator.

[Eric Wettschreck]

That looks yummy. I'm trying it.

Stay outside while enjoying a few cold ones and you will be plenty ventilated.

[Harmonica Bear]

The bird is already dead. But, I would recommend a one time pre-cook of the can to burn whatever coating the can may have.

10-4 boiler guy! You'll be amazed.

[LOTWSvirgin]

Blah blah blah on the fumes. You know how many differant things give you cancer? Fever or not im trying it.

[efgh]

If you are worried about galv.garbage can fumes, find a 30 gal. oil barrel, they are steel, no galv., burn out all the residue or wash it good with soap and warm water and use it the same as the garbage can.

[Muskycrazy]

Post deleted by Muskycrazy

[DIRTY BIKER]

I would recommend burning the can before the first time use as Bear has said to remove the oils it was shipped with and the big scare of the galvanized fumes either in a Bonfire or charcoal fire OUTSIDE OF COURSE. I have done a lot of turkeys in these and never seen anyone sick from this, there is no flame inside the can and it is sealed to the ground the only flame is on top and around the bottom outside of the can. Make sure you start your charcoal in a grill or some thing like the lid of the can and not around the can I tried this once and the lighter fluid seeped under the can and the bird tasted like lighter fluid also make sure your can is tight to the ground so no air can escape. Very moist birds nothing but complements from these and remember you are not cutting,welding,brazing or melting the can just heating it up so the first burn should take care of everything.

[Black_Bay]

Basically it acts as a big, cheap dutch oven.

[swamptiger]

I see all sorts of possibilities for this. Maybe build a rack and do a pork roast or a ham - gotta try it...

[Coldwater Crappie Guy]

That is straight up HILLBILLY! I love it!

[DIRTY BIKER]

Yeah Its been called the RED NECK CONVECTION OVEN before.Got to do a wild 26#er next weekend for a buddys house warming party that is going to be a blast.