Some questions about smoking a thanskgiving turkey

[Ski81]

can i put a foil drip pan on the rack below or is it ok to just let it drip on the drip pan provided in the smoker.  I want to make sure the foil pan wont hurt the smoker.  i would imagine the foil pan will make for easier clean up

[smoker pete]

Ski81,  Here's that little 12 lb gobbler I said I would smoke today so that the DW can take the breasts to her sewing club luncheon tomorrow.  Now granted this is only a 12 pounder and not a 19 pounder like yours but it might give you some info.

Rubbed the bird with Carolina Treet (CT) and Jan's Dry Rub (JDR).  Wanted to see what the combo of CT and JDR would do to a turkey.  Preheated to 275º and kept it there on my PID cause I figured I would never get back to 250º but wanted to get as high as possible.  OBS only got to 240º so I put the bird in and the smoking chamber dropped to 177º before it started a slow upward swing in an attempt to recover.  [waiting for parts so my Son and I can can modify my OBS for a second element].



Started @ 9:30am with an IT of 40º 
10:30am temp @ 195º and IT @ 72º
11:30am temp @ 215º and IT @ 112º
12:30pm temp @ 239º and IT @ 122º ... after 3 hours of smoke (2) hickory to (1) apple I pulled the bird



Placed in 350º oven and pulled when breast hit 163º / spent 2 hours and 10 minutes in oven



Divided up the gobbler.  Breast for tomorrow's luncheon and some of the rest for dinner tonight  ;D



The $$hot  ;)



Not sure if this help or not but I learned a few things today so it's all good!!  CT and JDR with hickory on turkey are a good choice.  Onwards to the next smoke

[Ski81]

Thanks man that looks great will let you know how it turns out.

[SnellySmokesEm]

I would agree that the turkey should not be ftc'd.  It ruins the skin.

[booty]

hello  my new smoker freind been reading the info that uall have writen and learn alot .i too would like to smoke a turkey this season .what about injecting the turkey& what shelf is the best heat& smoke middle closer to top or the bottom please i really dont know thank u billy