Smoking a big bird - will this work?

[Baconator]

I have a 17-18 lb. turkey that I want to smoke for Christmas. I'm thinking of smoking it for 3-4 hours this weekend, then freezing it and finishing it in the oven on Christmas day. Anybody ever done this? Thanks

Gary

[punchlock]

Sounds a little unsafe to me. I am sure someone with more expertise will be along to help...

[Baconator]

I think it would be safe as long as you take it to the correct IT, but I'm wondering if it might get dried out in the process...

[BuyLowSellHigh]

You can smoke/cook, then cool and freeze and save the bird for Christmas so long as you fully cook the bird.  That means an IT of at least 165 °F.  After that you're fine.  What you don't want to do is partially cook it then store it to finish at a later date -- that's inviting problems.

[Baconator]

OK - thanks :)