Turkey cooking times on an electric smoker
#1
11-18-04, 02:54 PM
Turkey cooking times on an electric smoker
I have been volunteered to smoke a turkey on my electric smoker for Thanksgiving this year. The smoker was a gift from a friend and did not have any instructions regarding cooking times. The smoker is a 2 tiered rack system with a ceramic bowl to hold the water and the wood chips go on the bottom by the burner. The heating element is a 1500 watt electric heating element. The lower rack sits probably 1-2 inches above the water line for the bowl.
The turkey is a 13 pound bird. I have absolutely no idea how long I need to put it on for. I was going to put it on the bottom rack to put it closer to the heating element and the hot water and maybe put a ham on the top rack and allow the ham juices to drip over the outside of the turkey on the lower rack.
I know a ham weighing between 3 and 5 pounds takes about 3-4 hours on the top rack to cook.
If anyone could shed some light on this and give me an estimated time of how long I should cook it, I would greatly appreciate it.
The turkey is a 13 pound bird. I have absolutely no idea how long I need to put it on for. I was going to put it on the bottom rack to put it closer to the heating element and the hot water and maybe put a ham on the top rack and allow the ham juices to drip over the outside of the turkey on the lower rack.
I know a ham weighing between 3 and 5 pounds takes about 3-4 hours on the top rack to cook.
If anyone could shed some light on this and give me an estimated time of how long I should cook it, I would greatly appreciate it.
#2
11-18-04, 03:14 PM
Member
I have smoked turkeys on my charcoal smoker and the water lowers the heat. A 15 pound turkey took almost 8 hours. Make sure you have a thermometer to check the temp in the thigh.(don't touch any bones). I remove mine at 175 degrees and let it sit 15 minutes and it will keep cooking internally. Ham on top rack sounds good. I use a mixture of orange juice, apricot juice and water in my water pan. The sugars coat and seal the bird and lend a nice flavor. I know the directions say not to remove the cover as you lose heat but after 6-1/2 to 7 hours I would do a temp check. Don't want it overcooked either. Good luck.
PS Since you are using electric smoker you can cook at higher temps so adjust times as you increase temps.
PS Since you are using electric smoker you can cook at higher temps so adjust times as you increase temps.
#3
11-18-04, 04:58 PM
Originally Posted by majakdragon
PS Since you are using electric smoker you can cook at higher temps so adjust times as you increase temps.
The recipe for the orange juice and other fruit juices sounds really good.
If anyone else may have suggestions please feel free to post them up.
#4
11-18-04, 06:00 PM
Member
My charcoal smoker gets real hot but it does not give temp in degrees. Has a bar with a needle that moves and 3 zones. Cold, ideal and hot. I keep it in the ideal zone but don't know what temp is.
#5
11-19-04, 04:12 AM
Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Cinti, OH
Posts: 5,315
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
I would plan on 20-30 minutes per pound once the smokers hot. Like said make sure you use a thermoeter in the thigh area. There's nothing more aggrevating then cutting into a turkey that's not done.
I like my stuff spicy so I will do a heavy dry rub of cajun seasoning on the outside and also inject it with garlic butter.
I like my stuff spicy so I will do a heavy dry rub of cajun seasoning on the outside and also inject it with garlic butter.
