How long does it take to smoke a turkey in a smoker?

Set the smoker to 225° F. Place the turkey on a cooking rack and cook for 8 to 12 hours or until the inner thigh temperature reaches 180° F. Check the temperature of your turkey after 3½ hours. Your turkey must pass through a critical range of 40° F to 140° F in 4 hours or less.

How long does it take to smoke a turkey in a barrel smoker?

approximately 3.5-7 hours
Cook approximately 3.5-7 hours, depending on size of the bird. To better understand poultry cook times and safe temperatures, refer to the Meat Temperature Guide from our friends at AmazingRibs.com. Tip: It’s fun and useful to look in on the turkey every couple hours to monitor the progress and take the temperature.

How long does it take to smoke a turkey in an electric smoker?

Preheat electric smoker to 225°F (107°C). Apply a thin layer or cooking oil to cooking grate, and add a handful of wood chunks to smoker box. Cook for 40 minutes per pound of turkey, about 8-10 hours. Aim for internal temperature of 165°F.

Do you wrap a turkey when smoking?

Watch the smoker carefully and make sure it does not venture too far off course from your desired temperature setting. About 3 hours into the smoke, check the turkey and if the wings or other extremities are getting too brown you can wrap them with small pieces of foil to stop the browning process.

What is the best wood to use for smoking a turkey?

Hickory is a classic hard wood choice for smoking turkey for several reasons. It has a distinct flavor that is robust and very forward and is familiar to those who enjoy smoky flavors. Maple wood gives off a sweeter smoke and can add a lovely golden hue to anything you smoke with it.

Should you truss a turkey when smoking?

Truss the Turkey The point of trussing is to make the surface of the bird a more regular shape. Sometimes, this can prevent hotspots on certain parts of the bird, which could dry out the meat.

How do you prepare a turkey for smoking?

Fill the turkey cavity with butter, cola, apple, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cover turkey loosely with foil. Add wood chips to the smoker according to the manufacturer’s directions. Place the roasting pan in the preheated smoker.

Should I wrap my turkey in foil while smoking?

Should I inject my turkey before smoking?

A meat injector – Injecting is a great way to get some more flavor and moisture into the bird. Poultry shears or a sharp knife – Makes it much easier to spatchcock the turkey. Drip pan for gravy – Even if you’re not making gravy, you’ll want a pan to catch the dripping to keep everything clean.

Do you smoke a turkey covered or uncovered?

Try to completely cover the exposed flesh. Pull the skin back into place after you’ve seasoned the bird. I use a couple of toothpicks to hold the skin in place, since it shrinks as it cooks. You don’t want the meat uncovered as it smokes.

Should you use a water pan when smoking turkey?

Tips For Using a Water Pan When Smoking a Turkey In cold weather, a water pan filled with boiling hot water can help maintain the smoker temperature, plus it gets the temperature up quickly for a fast start. This is especially helpful if your smoker can’t quite do the job when it’s cold outside.