How big is your Bird

[Shasta bob]

Howdy, i was just wondering how big your bird will be this Turkey Day? mine will be 25.3 lbs.  Norbest tender time. i wanted to smoke it for starter but the boss said no!!!!!. it will be great anyway.. Best wishes this holiday season ( Drive carefully ). Shasta Bob.

[TedEbear]

Mine is 12.8 lbs (11 people coming over).  I've read warnings that's it's not a good idea to smoke a very large bird because it takes too long and there's a greater chance of food poisoning the longer it stays below 140*F.

There's something called the 41-135*/4 rule.  I haven't seen it discussed on the Bradley forums but I have elsewhere.  It means that once the turkey reaches 41* it should get past 135* within 4 hours to avoid bad things happening to the meat.  Larger birds are going to cook slower.

The USDA says to cook it until the internal temp at the thickest part of the meat reaches at least 165*F. 

[ghost9mm]

We have a 18 # and there is always plenty left over, but that's the way we plan it...everyone goes home with leftovers of everything, from turkey to filling, pie ,cake...we keep enough for one more meal...it's a tradition at our house...

[SnellySmokesEm]

I got an 18 pounder in the brine right now.

[FLBentRider]

I've got a 20 pound bird that will be going on the MAK early tomorrow morning.