I've heard different opinions about how best to prepare turkey. Found packages of Turkey Drummets at the store and decided to conduct a little experiment: Turkey - 5 Ways.
Set up 5 different options:
1) Smoked in the Bradley
2) Brined & Smoked in the Bradley
3) Fried in the Big Easy
4) Brined, Smoked in the Bradley & Fried in the Big Easy
5) Briend & Fried in the Big Easy
For a brine followed this basic concept:
1/2 T Tender Quick
3T Brown Sugar
1 T Pepper
1 Q Water
For the brining I put the pieces into a vacuum sealer container, along with the brine mix.
Pulled a vacuum and stored in the fridge for 2 hrs.
For the Smoking - 180 deg for 2 hrs of Maple. Then, due to rain moved smoking pieces either to Big Easy or 300 deg oven.
Here are the brined Drummets (top row) next to unbrined (bottom row) - can notice a color change in the meat.
(http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc186/Scotty-G_photos/IMG_1096.jpg)
Here are the Drummets ready to go into the Big Easy
(http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc186/Scotty-G_photos/IMG_1099.jpg)
(http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc186/Scotty-G_photos/IMG_1100.jpg)
Here are the finished Drummets - 1 --> 5, L --> R
(http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc186/Scotty-G_photos/IMG_1101.jpg)
The strings are part of my scheme to distinguish which underwent what method of preparation
Results:
Brining did have a big impact on flavor and moistness, although did not brine long enough.
Meat had a Pink Hue on the outer edges but not in the center, not enough time for brine (TQ) to permiate.
(1) & (3) were not brined and could notice a comparative difference in texture and moistness
I liked (2) but my Favorite was (4) Brined, Smoked and Fried
Everyone else liked (5) Brined & Fried - UGH!!!! :o :( ???
As for Turkey Day this year - we compromise:
1 turkey brined and then halved. Half into the smoker for me (& the guests), Half just fried for family (& guests?).
Then both Halves into Big Easy.
Scotty-G
Interesting.
Scotty,
Thanks for the information. I have a Big Easy and I like turkey drumsticks. Where did you get the round inserts for your basket?
Brad
The turkey drums look great.
I see you found the same pot racks that I did for the basket! They fit great.
I cooked 4 racks of chicken in the BE for my curried chicken recipe. Was able to get in 4 of the racks of chicken pieces and had room for 1 more. I found mine in a chinese grocery store.
(http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii103/geofite/IMG_1308.jpg)
(http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii103/geofite/IMG_1309.jpg)
Where did you guys find these racks? ??? I've got to pick up a new propane bottle today to try this thing out, but gots to make or find some racks!
C
I found my racks at a Asain Restaurant Supply Store but an Asian Market should have them as well.
Mine are 8" in diameter and have long legs. I had to bend them out flat and then rebend the ends to make them look like Geofite's.
As I understand it, the racks are typically used in asian cooking as steaming racks for bowls and smaller pots placed inside large pots.
Scotty-G
Geo, is this the rack you have? http://wokshop.stores.yahoo.net/footsteamrac.html (http://wokshop.stores.yahoo.net/footsteamrac.html)
scotty looks good need to try that
Quote from: Smokin Soon on November 09, 2008, 09:52:30 AM
Geo, is this the rack you have? http://wokshop.stores.yahoo.net/footsteamrac.html (http://wokshop.stores.yahoo.net/footsteamrac.html)
It looks like the same rack. I found mine at a chinese grocery store so it most likely is the same one. I did not know it was a steaming rack as there were no signs at the chinese store. I paid around 2.50 Canadian dollars each for mine. I bought 5 of them.
P.S. I just measured mine and they are 9 1/2 inch diameter and that is including the measurement of the one of the three legs. So they are 9 inch diameter for the round part. So the ones in the picture will most likely need to be modified as scotty-g had modified his. I did not have to do any modifying, mine fit. They are a wee bit tight but it is fine.
Thanks guys - those racks look perfect. Much better than what I have tried to create. I have to see if I can find some locally.
I ordered the racks from the above post. They will not work because the are too small(7.5 in.) . Their service was A1. I ordered them on Monday and they were delivered on Wednesday.
Brad
Quote from: car54 on November 12, 2008, 02:15:24 PM
I ordered the racks from the above post. They will not work because the are too small(7.5 in.) . Their service was A1. I ordered them on Monday and they were delivered on Wednesday.
Brad
Brad;
Thanks for the post. I was just ready to order some.
Quote from: car54 on November 12, 2008, 02:15:24 PM
I ordered the racks from the above post. They will not work because the are too small(7.5 in.) . Their service was A1. I ordered them on Monday and they were delivered on Wednesday.
Brad
Ya me too, but I think by bending out the turn downs they will be do-able.
Yep about to order some myself...what if you turned it upside down and used some S hooks?
C
Mine have long legs (~3") and that enabled me to bend them out and then bend the ends to make them fit.
Quote from: Scotty-G on November 12, 2008, 07:39:43 PM
Mine have long legs (~3") and that enabled me to bend them out and then bend the ends to make them fit.
Now I get it. I may purchase them if I can't find the size that Geofite has.
Geofite;
You have any pointers on how you keep your basket so clean.