Is it safe to smoke a 20lb turkey?
I just spatchcocked a 12 lb turkey, smoked it in temperature around 225-275 F (107-135 C) for about 3 hours. I did it in a kamado joe classic 3 with SloRoller. It came out amazing. Fully cooked, tender and flavorful
I’m wondering Is it possible to do the same thing with a 20lb turkey?
Some random sources I googled suggested that that’s crossing into the “danger zone” anything above 12lb.
Best Answer
The main concern with smoking large whole turkeys is that heat may not get into the cavity, so the inside may not get up to temperature fast enough. When you spatchcock a turkey the heat can get to both sides evenly, so you take away this problem and a 20lb turkey should be fine. Kamado Joes (I have a Classic 2) have excellent heat circulation so I wouldn't expect you to have a problem with a whole one, but spatchcocking will give you better results.
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Quick Answer about "Is it safe to smoke a 20lb turkey?"
For a faster cooking time, you can smoke at 250 or even 275 degrees, but for a regular-sized turkey, we like 225 for about 30 minutes per pound. In fact, it might be best to avoid smoking big birds (say, 20 pounds), because the increased time required could increase your risk of the bacteria issues we noted above.Can you smoke a 20 lbs turkey?
At 225 degrees, a 20-pound turkey should cook at a rate of 30 to 40 minutes per pound. If you increase the temperature to 250, it will take 25 to 30 minutes per pound. It's best to keep the smoker temperature above 225 when smoking a bird this large.How long should I smoke a 20 lb turkey?
It depends on the size of your turkey and the smoker you're using. Generally, though, you should allow for about 30-40 minutes of smoking per pound. So, if you have a 20-pound turkey, it'll probably take 10-12 hours to completely smoke it.Can a turkey be too big to smoke?
After it is thawed, the bird will keep several days in the refrigerator before spoiling. Whole turkeys that weigh 12 POUNDS OR LESS are the recommended size for safe smoking. A larger turkey remains in the "Danger Zone" - between 40\xb0F and 140\xb0F - too long.Can you smoke a 21 lb turkey?
The turkey should smoke for 30 to 40 minutes per pound, until the inside temperature reaches 165\u02daF. 6. Check every hour for smoke.How to Smoke a Juicy and Tender Whole Turkey
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