BRADLEY SMOKER | "Taste the Great Outdoors"

Recipe Discussions => Poultry => Topic started by: Quarlow on April 02, 2010, 08:56:20 PM

Title: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: Quarlow on April 02, 2010, 08:56:20 PM
My brother gave me a 19.5 lb turkey for my birthday and now I have to try to figure out how to get it in the Big easy. Any suggestions? I have been toying with the idea of making a bracket so I can run a rotiserrie rod threw a turkey or roast and then just let the item to be cooked just hang straight up and down from the top. Without the basket in there it would fit . Or I might be able to cut the wings and legs of and just cook the body. Any thoughts?
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: RossP on April 02, 2010, 11:53:26 PM
Q try and get one of the Stainless paper towel holder that sits on the counter top. You can put it in the turkey and and have it come out the neck area. Then hang the bird on a rod across the top of the Big Easy. On the Sizzlin on the Grill site http://sizzleonthegrill.com/user-forums/index.php?topic=1303.0 Savannahsmoker has a picture of what I am talking about. This is how I a doing my turkey on Sunday.

Ross
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: Quarlow on April 03, 2010, 04:29:42 PM
That looks good Ross I will see what I can do with it like that. I will have to wrap it with some string to to keep the legs and wings from burning off but I just happen to have one of those towel holders right here on the counter. Thanks buddy.
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: Quarlow on April 04, 2010, 04:38:26 PM
well I managed to get it in the BE. I took twine and tied the legs and wings in, then I run my rotisserie rod threw it so it was about 2" from the pointy end then I stood it in the drain hole at the bottom. I took bailing wire and tied it centered in the barrel and then set it on fire. It is working great but I am going to build a little stand for the bottom and a bracket for the top. The bottom needs to not sit in the hole cause the blood that drips out congeals and then blocks the drippings from running out into the pan. The top will be more conveneint with a centering bracket. This turkey is still to big for this BE and I think the legs will be scorched to hell. I would have to say 18lbs would be the max for future use. I will post picks when it is all done cause I am having trouble with my card transferring to my comp.
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: squirtthecat on April 04, 2010, 04:47:13 PM
Quote from: Quarlow on April 04, 2010, 04:38:26 PM
I took bailing wire

Love it!  A man after my own heart!
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: ArnieM on April 06, 2010, 09:45:01 PM
Gee, sorry I missed this thread Q.  That sounds like a pretty tight fit.  Certainly getting rid of the 'cage' and suspending it sounds like the way to go.  I made a contraption like that for a chicken last year.  Get to know your hardware store people  ;D  Any pics yet?
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: Ka Honu on April 06, 2010, 10:09:43 PM
Quote from: RossP on April 02, 2010, 11:53:26 PM...Savannahsmoker has a picture of what I am talking about.

sav (and many others including me) use a rack from a "traditional" turkey fryer suspended from a steel rod (mine was the shipping rod from a new washing machine) as shown in the picture.  Since my paper towel holder is wood, it probably makes sense for me to do it that way.  Works exceptionally well and you can always hook or tie the turkey so it hangs from the rod (if it "settles" on the rack and expands in girth, getting too close to the sides).
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: ArnieM on April 06, 2010, 10:36:11 PM
I don't know if the link will work or not, but this was my DIY chicken hanger for TBE.  The turkey would probably be a bit more difficult to fit in there (at 19 pounds).

http://s738.photobucket.com/albums/xx21/ArnieMauer/DIY%20Chicken%20Hanger/
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: Ka Honu on April 06, 2010, 11:15:30 PM
Arnie - I never knew the "M" stood for "MacGyver."  Your ingenuity notwithstanding, that is one UGLY setup - but it appears to have worked perfectly so WHOGAS?
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: Quarlow on April 08, 2010, 10:40:03 PM
Sorry, My comp is not working well right now which is why I haven't been on here much. I can't upload my pics either. I'll get them on as soon as I can. It worked real slick and I will be doing some mods to it to make it better.
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: classicrockgriller on April 09, 2010, 09:43:39 AM
Q, good to see you feeling well enough to start tossing some meat around.
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: Quarlow on April 09, 2010, 06:44:32 PM
Yeah it feels good too. Now I have to get a bunch of salmon out of the freezer and do up another batch. I am trying to find a grinder and stuffer cause My uncle gave me a pile of Buffalo, deer and Angus beef. Got to make some sausages.
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: Tenpoint5 on April 09, 2010, 08:24:33 PM
Quote from: Quarlow on April 09, 2010, 06:44:32 PM
Yeah it feels good too. Now I have to get a bunch of salmon out of the freezer and do up another batch. I am trying to find a grinder and stuffer cause My uncle gave me a pile of Buffalo, deer and Angus beef. Got to make some sausages.

You can use mine Q. Just come on down anytime. I will even supply the refreshments while we you make your sausage.
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: Quarlow on April 09, 2010, 09:46:11 PM
Well thanks Chris. I need a reason to not spend the 300 bucks, so I'll just buy a 800 dollar plane ticket and wing on down and use your gear. You're a real pal. :D :D :D At least I won't have all that equipment to trip over all the time. ;D ;D
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: Tenpoint5 on April 10, 2010, 05:53:03 AM
Quote from: Quarlow on April 09, 2010, 09:46:11 PM
Well thanks Chris. I need a reason to not spend the 300 bucks, so I'll just buy a 800 dollar plane ticket and wing on down and use your gear. You're a real pal. :D :D :D At least I won't have all that equipment to trip over all the time. ;D ;D

Well the beer is cold
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: Quarlow on April 10, 2010, 05:46:17 PM
 :D :D :D
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: RossP on April 11, 2010, 11:45:48 PM
Q I have a hand grinder you can borrow. I am looking for a stuffer myself. Let me know if you want to use the grinder. I am heading out early tomorrow for a day on the lake with my fly rod.  ;D
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: Quarlow on May 19, 2010, 09:26:54 PM
Ok so here are the pic's of how I managed this escapade. First I tied this big albatross up so his little wings and legs wouldn't get too charred.

(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af233/quarlow/The%20Big%20Easy/S7301651.jpg)
Then I inserted a big metal rod right through him. Muuwaahaha. Ok I used my rotiserre rod from the BBQ.
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af233/quarlow/The%20Big%20Easy/S7301652.jpg)
I only ran the rod threw to stick out about 2" and then stuck that into the drain hole in the bottom.
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af233/quarlow/The%20Big%20Easy/S7301653.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af233/quarlow/The%20Big%20Easy/S7301654.jpg)
Then I used bailing wire to hold the rod in the center away from the sides as best as I could.
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af233/quarlow/The%20Big%20Easy/S7301655.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af233/quarlow/The%20Big%20Easy/S7301656.jpg)
Then I snipped a couple of wires from the screen cover so that I could slide it over the rod having taken the wood handle off of the rod.
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af233/quarlow/The%20Big%20Easy/S7301657.jpg)
Here's how it looked all set to go.
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af233/quarlow/The%20Big%20Easy/S7301658.jpg)
I am working on a cross bar to replace the wire and allow it to keep it centered. Plus it will let the turkey just hang inside so I can adjust it up and down. When I had the rod sticking in the hole it somewhat plugged it and I had to lift it up and down every so often so the juices would drain. So hanging it will eliminate this problem. And here is the finished product.
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af233/quarlow/The%20Big%20Easy/S7301659.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af233/quarlow/The%20Big%20Easy/S7301660.jpg)
You can see it was a little close on the thighs but overall it worked pretty darn good and it came out juice and awesome.

Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: NePaSmoKer on May 20, 2010, 01:44:54 AM
Nicely done "Q" 

;D
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: FLBentRider on May 20, 2010, 03:24:16 AM
Nice job.

Love the bailing wire, didn't need the chewing gum.
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: BuyLowSellHigh on May 20, 2010, 04:18:10 AM
Very creative solution.  It's the vertical chicken roaster on steroids.
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: squirtthecat on May 20, 2010, 04:32:21 AM

Bailing wire!  A man after my own farm boy heart...

Where is the duct tape and WD-40?
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: Quarlow on May 20, 2010, 12:14:36 PM
Quote from: squirtthecat on May 20, 2010, 04:32:21 AM

Bailing wire!  A man after my own farm boy heart...

Where is the duct tape and WD-40?

I save the duct tape for when I run out of ideas. And WD-40....well watch where you step and what you brush against, it's on everything. ;) ;)
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: ArnieM on May 20, 2010, 04:20:19 PM
Good lookin' bird Q.  Glad you could fit it in there.  Basting with WD-40 was also a good idea.  Sometimes I prefer Liquid Wrench, kinda tangy though.

Have fun cuz'.  Get a truck yet?
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: Quarlow on May 20, 2010, 04:47:38 PM
Thanks cuz. Yup the truck is bought but not available till mid June which is about when I will be able to go back to work.YEAH.
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: KevinG on May 20, 2010, 04:49:33 PM
Good to hear Q! Things finally looking up!!!
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: ArnieM on May 20, 2010, 08:03:24 PM
Quote from: Quarlow on May 20, 2010, 04:47:38 PM
Thanks cuz. Yup the truck is bought but not available till mid June which is about when I will be able to go back to work.YEAH.

Good for you cuz.  Is this the one with 1.5 million miles on it?

Take it easy and do your PT.  Wishing you the best.
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: Quarlow on May 20, 2010, 08:45:27 PM
Well this is a 2005 Freightliner Columbia 228,000 miles which works out to about 46,000 miles a year. I found this truck local that is owned by a guy who has four trucks and just work mostly local and also is a driver so he has maintain it in top condition with PM(preventative maintenance) programs since it was new. The ones my boss was looking at buying out of the states were the same year trucks and had 700,000 to 800,000 miles which works out to 140,000 miles a year. They were own by companys that have 100 to 200 truck fleets. Now these trucks are maintained well but you don't know how much abuse they have suffered by drivers that may be there just to collect a pay check. And of course with that many miles everything is loose and rattley and worn out. You can pretty much bet the first year you own it, you will spend a lot of time in the shop. The one he got was not quite twice the money but it is only at 25% of its life used where the others are at 85%. Once I explained this to the boss his old drivers instinct kick back in and he saw it my way.  I am scanning a pic of it and will post it in a bit.
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: ArnieM on May 20, 2010, 10:10:23 PM
Just send me a PM cuz.  We're kinda OT already  :D
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: hal4uk on May 20, 2010, 10:10:53 PM
Did anyone alert all the Awful Waffle Gals that Q is gonna be on the prowl again?   8)
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: Quarlow on May 24, 2010, 07:36:00 PM
Hey Arnie, here is a pic of the last truck I owned.
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af233/quarlow/Mytruck.jpg)
And here is the truck my boss bought for me.
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af233/quarlow/truck.jpg)
I am excited like a kid at xmas.
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: hal4uk on May 24, 2010, 08:18:41 PM
Is that a Kentucky Blue Freightliner?
SWEET!
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: Quarlow on May 24, 2010, 08:19:59 PM
Well sur I do declare you might be right. ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: ArnieM on May 24, 2010, 08:31:52 PM
Nice pics cousin and thanks.  Those things are bigger than my grass cutter.  I wouldn't want to stand in front of one, especially it it's moving.

And please, please cuz'n, don't fall off the damn thing!
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: Quarlow on May 24, 2010, 08:34:09 PM
Are you telling me to "get a grip" :D :D :D
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: hal4uk on May 24, 2010, 08:40:30 PM
Where all you gonna be runnin'?
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: Quarlow on May 24, 2010, 08:42:12 PM
Local Vancouver and Seattle-Tacoma. I just haul sea containers.
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: hal4uk on May 24, 2010, 08:56:44 PM
Good deal.  Get home at night  ;D
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: ArnieM on May 24, 2010, 09:01:38 PM
Quote from: Quarlow on May 24, 2010, 08:34:09 PM
Are you telling me to "get a grip" :D :D :D

Yeah.  Eatin that turkey up in the cab - you might get a little greasy  ;D
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: squirtthecat on May 25, 2010, 04:40:55 AM
Quote from: Quarlow on May 24, 2010, 08:42:12 PM
Local Vancouver and Seattle-Tacoma. I just haul sea containers.

My wife's cousin worked at the Port of Tacoma for years..   That's where her family is from.
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: FLBentRider on May 25, 2010, 06:42:05 AM
Nice looking truck!
Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: OU812 on May 25, 2010, 02:18:23 PM
Sweet truck Q

My best friend from school drives over the road, flat bed.

(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww263/OU812_bucket/outdoors/0504101553a_314800.jpg)

Cant believe how smooth they ride, I've took a few trips with him.

Title: Re: 19.5 lb turkey-16 lb big easy?
Post by: Quarlow on May 25, 2010, 04:29:48 PM
Now that's a sweet ride. I loooove trucks.