Smoking a turkey isn’t something that many people are considering. This is because of different reasons. However, the most common reason is that they don’t know how long to smoke a turkey.
With the right guidance and with the right information, it will be easier to smoke a turkey and making sure that the turkey is cooked all the way through.
There is nothing better than smoked turkey. And, with this guide about smoking a turkey and the time that you need to smoke the turkey, you will be able to enjoy your own turkey that you smoked yourself.
Can a Turkey Be Smoked in a Smoker?
This is the first thing that you need to know. There are some that would say that it isn’t a great idea to smoke a turkey. This is because of how large a turkey is and the importance of cooking a turkey at the perfect heat.
However, the good news is that you can really smoke a turkey in a smoker. You can smoke the turkey whole or in pieces. The only thing that you need to know is how to exactly smoke the turkey to ensure that it reaches the right temperature.
Checking the Temperature Internally Is Essential
A mistake that many are making with smoking the turkey is that they are checking the temperature of the smoker. Yes, this is important, but you need to make sure that the turkey reaches the perfect temperature as well.
The only way that you can do this is to test the temperature internally with a thermometer designed for cooking and smoking. When the turkey reached the right temperature inside the turkey and not the temperature that the smoker reached, then you can say that the turkey is done.
The Size of Turkey Does Matter
It is important to make sure that you know that when it comes to how long you are smoking the turkey, will depend on the size of the turkey. The whole, huge turkey is going to take a lot longer than the turkey that might be just a half-turkey or a turkey that is in pieces.
The larger the overall turkey, the longer it will take to get the right temperature. The time that the turkey needs to smoke is just an indication of how long it can take. The one thing that you should know is that it is going to take time to have a turkey that is smoked correctly and safe to eat.
Never just take the time needed for a turkey to be smoked. You should ensure that you are doing the internal temperature check as well before you are going to decide that the turkey is smoked through.
The Normal Time That It Takes to Smoke a Turkey
Now for the information about how long it takes to smoke a turkey. It normally would take about 1 hour to 2 hours per pound for a turkey to be smoked and cooked through. This is if you are smoking it at a consistent temperature of 225°F heat.
You can adjust your heat setting to 240°F for faster smoking time. However, it isn’t recommended that you should go over 275°F. This can make the turkey dry and will give it a burned taste.
Different Time Might Be Needed
One thing that you should know about smoking a turkey, is that the temperature of the smoker and the time you are smoking the turkey isn’t the most important thing.
You should make sure that you are smoking your turkey until you reach a temperature off 165°F. The turkey should have a temperature of 165°F, in the inside of the turkey.
This is the most important thing to consider when you are wondering how long you should smoke your turkey. If the heat isn’t exactly 165°F, it will be undercooked and dangerous to eat.
Conclusion
Yes, you can smoke a turkey in your smoker. And, it doesn’t matter if you are smoking a whole turkey or just pieces of turkey. The only thing that is essential to know is that the turkey is cooked through to the right temperature.
As said before, the temperature should be at least 165°F inside the turkey. And, not just checking the heat setting of the smoker. The larger the turkey, the longer it will take to reach the right temperature and to have the right smoking taste.
Smoking a turkey can be done and can taste really great. This is if you know how to smoke a turkey and if you have smoking experience. The only thing that you need to make sure about, is that you are patience.
Smoking a turkey can take a long time. Hours of waiting should be expected before a whole turkey will be smoked through. But, as any smoked meal, this will be worth the wait.
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