Whole turkey. breast up or down?

kmk5976 · May 25, 2011, 05:04:18 PM

Long time reader, first time poster!

I am smoking two whole turkeys for my wedding this weekend along with 6 pork butts. Do you suggest that I smoke the turkeys breast up or down.

Thanks for your help!

GusRobin · May 25, 2011, 05:56:35 PM

don't think it matters too much just make sure you have the birds below the butts. Don't want them dripping on the pork.

KyNola · May 25, 2011, 08:05:14 PM

For me it's breast up! (I don't want to read any dirty comments here! :D)

wyoduke · May 25, 2011, 08:14:02 PM

Quote from: KyNola on May 25, 2011, 08:05:14 PM
For me it's breast up! (I don't want to read any dirty comments here! :D)

:o :o ;D

Habanero Smoker · May 26, 2011, 02:18:48 AM

Hi kmk5976,

Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding. You are taking on quite a task, so ask as many questions as you need to.

To cut down on the stress of the wedding day, I would start smoking/cooking today. I would start getting the butts cooked, and then the turkeys and reheat on the wedding day. As soon as possible I would make sure that your turkeys will fit in the Bradley, if too large you may have to smoke/cook them vertically. For the best turkey or poultry, use the Bradley to apply the smoke them move them to an oven or grill to finish. You will get much better skin. Also with poultry with skin, you should leave the vent 3/4 to fully open.

Hopefull Romantic · May 28, 2011, 12:56:22 PM

Quote from: KyNola on May 25, 2011, 08:05:14 PM
For me it's breast up! (I don't want to read any dirty comments here! :D)

;D ;D ;D

Quote from: Habanero Smoker on May 26, 2011, 02:18:48 AM
Hi kmk5976,

Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding. You are taking on quite a task, so ask as many questions as you need to.

I also feel for you being the groom and the cook all on the same day. Dont wanna be in your shoes. Congratulations.

HR

freakaccident · June 25, 2011, 07:30:03 PM

I hung mine up in the ham net today. I got the idea from this post:

http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=22303.0

The turkey breast I bought already had netting around it with a metal clamp holding it shut. I pried the metal ring/clamp off with needle nose pliers, slid the net off, took the turkey breast out of the plastic it was wrapped in, and put it back in the net. I then tied the net to one of the grates that comes with the bradley. I shot 6 injectors full of chicken broth into the breast and put it in the smoker by sliding the rack into the top position. Worked perfectly!

ghost9mm · June 26, 2011, 03:16:11 PM

Well good luck with your turkey and your wedding and I hope it lasts as long as mine...52 yrs..

hal4uk · June 26, 2011, 06:28:58 PM

Quote from: ghost9mm on June 26, 2011, 03:16:11 PM
Well good luck with your turkey and your wedding and I hope it lasts as long as mine...52 yrs..

Good grief!!!!
My wedding lasted about 2 hours, and I thought that was way too long...
You'll be too exhausted for the honeymoon!!!. ;D

ghost9mm · June 26, 2011, 06:44:36 PM

Hal...the LADY I call my wife, with her the honeymoon has never been over... :D

freakaccident · June 26, 2011, 08:37:01 PM

Quote from: ghost9mm on June 26, 2011, 06:44:36 PM
Hal...the LADY I call my wife, with her the honeymoon has never been over... :D

Lucky man! I hate you. ;D