Place the turkey on the grill breast side up (no need for a roasting pan) on the indirect heat side of the grill. If you are cooking on gas or charcoal where you have slightly higher temperatures on one side of the grill, be prepared to rotate the turkey several times during the cooking process for even cooking.
Making Smoke
With the smoker hot and the bird on the cooking grate, it is time to build up a good dose of smoke. Meats absorb more smoke early on during the cooking process than it does later, so now is the time to get the smoke going.
Any wood (except maybe mesquite) is a good choice for your smoke. If using large wood chunks, you dont need to soak the wood. If you are using smaller wood chips, soak them first. This slows down the burn rate and gives a longer, more consistent smoke. Make sure you shake off as much water as possible. Wood chips should be damp but not dripping.
Once the wood is placed into the smoker, close it up and watch the temperature. Unless you need to rotate the turkey during the cooking time there isnt any reason to open the smoker for several hours. Keeping the smoker closed holds in the heat and the smoke, so dont waste it by opening the smoker excessively.
Placing the Turkey
Place the turkey in the smoker where the smoke can flow evenly around all sides. It should be placed squarely over your drip pan so as can catch all the drippings (and help keep your smoker clean). If your smoker is an offset model or otherwise puts out more heat on one side than the other, then you will need to rotate the turkey every two hours to make sure the bird cooks evenly.
When oven roasting a bird, it is a good idea to cover the breasts with foil during part of the cooking time. This is to prevent the skin from burning or drying out. Since smoking takes place at a lower temperature this wont be necessary.
With the turkey on the smoker, now is a good time to clean everything to prevent cross-contamination with anything that has come in contact with the bird.
Do you flip a turkey when smoking?
FAQ
Should you flip a turkey when smoking?
What position do you smoke a turkey?
Should I flip the turkey over?
Does a turkey need to be flipped?
Can you smoke a Turkey in a smoker?
Avoid over-smoking your turkey as it can make it bitter and unpleasant to eat. Also, avoid opening the smoker too often as this can cause temperature fluctuations and disrupt the cooking process. Should I put a pan of water in my smoker for a turkey?
Is it dangerous to quit vaping nicotine cold turkey?
Quitting vaping nicotine ‘cold turkey’ is not dangerous, but it can be very unpleasant. This is because nicotine alters the way your brain functions such that your body feels dependent on it. Some of the unpleasant side effects of quitting abruptly are tremors, headaches, and nausea. These side effects can make it very hard to quit and often cause people to relapse. Fortunately, these unpleasant side effects can be partially or completely avoided by gradually cutting down your use instead of quitting abruptly. Your primary care physician can help you design a plan to quit vaping nicotine.
Should you remove a cooked turkey when flipping?
If you covered your turkey with a cheesecloth, remove it when you flip. Finally, make sure that the turkey is fully cooked to 165 degrees on the innermost part of the thigh and the thickest part of the breast before removing it.
Should I Flip my smoker?
This can make a huge difference in cooking time, fuel used, and when you flip. If your smoker is large enough, flipping may not be sufficient to ensure an even cook; you may need to rotate your meat as well. While you will be cooking over indirect heat, there will still be areas that are warmer and areas that are cooler.