How to Cook the Thanksgiving Turkey

[Tracy Evans]

I've been thinking of getting the PBX Pit Barrel Smoker to make my Thanksgiving Turkey. It's completely new to me so I keep chickening out. I need to hear some of you all tell me it really is a beginner friendly smoker/barbequerer!

[J-Melt]

What is your current smoker lineup?

[klflowers]

Paging fzxdoc

[fracmeister]

I cook all the time on an Oklahoma Joe pit barrel cooker--- dry brine, spatchcock, pat dry. I also inject with butter, rub under and on top of the skin I use about half full of coals and half full of unlit, some wood on both. I truss the end of the legs up a little to keep them from hanging down too low. I go 325-350 until I get 150 in the breasts and open it wide for the next few minutes. I pull them at about 155-160 in the breasts and call the family in. After the prayer I am slicing. No "rest" per see but it winds up being 5-10 minutes.

practice with chickens. Don't go too big on the bird... think 17-18 lbs. .

[HawkerXP]

How many are you thinking of cooking?

The PBC can handle a large turkey no problem.

Unless you can still find a PBX for that great price Acadamy was advertising.

[HawkerXP]

https://pitbarrelcooker.com/blogs/food/holiday-turkey

[Jfrosty27]

I’m no help with your question. I do not have a Pit Barrel. BUT, I use my Original Orion Cooker for turkey. It turns out an amazing bird. And really quickly too. You can do a 20 pound bird in just 2.5 hours. Super easy to use and just about foolproof.

www.theorioncooker.com if you want to check it out. Again, I have The Original model.

[Oak Smoke]

I’ve had trouble when smoking a turkey much over 12 pounds but have never cooked on a barrel cooker.

[Brian_M]

The original PBC is definitely a beginner-friendly cooker. It was my first charcoal cooker, and was plenty big for turkey, several chicken, or a bunch of ribs. Get it now and get a couple practice cooks in. There’s a ton of information here from some very knowledgeable people, fzxdoc especially.

Do not worry about controlling temps with a PBC. Follow the lighting instructions from fzxdoc and just let it run. It’s as close to set and forget as you can get without a power chord.

[Donw]

Here are some of Kathryn’s fzxdoc PBC gems that may help:

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/charcoal-drums-barrels-and-bullet-smokers/pit-barrel-cooker/12614-light-my-pbc-fire-tips-on-lighting-and-maintaining-temperatures

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/charcoal-drums-barrels-and-bullet-smokers/pit-barrel-cooker/12774-pbc-cook-times-including-pbc-temps-and-meat-veggie-weights-if-possible

[jecucolo]

I bought the PBC 7 years ago. Once you cook your thanksgiving turkey on it you will never go back to the oven. It is simple to use and sooo tasty! I use to Cooke 2 turkeys at the same time with no problem. Our group has gotten smaller so all we do is one now.
When my two brothers retired I bought each one a PBC. I also bought my son in law one for Christmas.

Hope this helps and good luck!

[Purc]

Our Kroger now has Butterball turkeys at $0.99/lb. Why not get a small one and smoke one now for practice? Leftover cold turkey sandwiches are great any time of the year.

[DaveD]

+1 on a dress rehearsal. You'll be glad you did!

[Grillin Dad]

Ours has it $1.25/lb. I'm debating if I should start loading up now, or hold off for Nov. We typically but about a dozen turkeys each season. It's a delicious and remarkably cheap way to feed a family of 6

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

After this weekend, that's my next cook... cooking the turkey for family so need to make sure I can get the result I want with my "barrel cooker"

[Grillin Dad]

I purchased a PBX this past spring and have done several turkeys on it already. I can tell you, it turns out a great tasting, moist turkey.I used to spin turkeys on my Weber Kettle's rotisserie, and they turned out really great. But those were nothing compared to the turkey from the PBX. My first turkey with it was so juicy my son was literally sucking up juices that poured into the cutting board with a straw. Awesome.

As far as being beginner friendly, yeah, it's about as simple as it gets with charcoal. Just follow fzxdoc lighting instructions and you'll be fine. The only negative, I would say, is that vent controls are borderline nonexistent. Which is why initial lighting is important, if you nail that, then you just let it run. I hang a probe thermometer from the middle rebar to keep an eye on it, but once it's dialed in, it's remarkably steady

In short, if you want a turkey smoking machine, the PBX is it. I vote for for it!!

[Duanessmokedmeats]

I have done several turkeys, and many chickens on my PBX and PBC. They all come out juicy and delicious.
I have friends who buy chickens and bring them over for me to smoke, so they can have a smoked chicken.
I halve mine and hang them.
Do it!!!!

[MarkN]

I have smoked turkeys for Thanksgiving on my PBC, my Weber kettle, my Charbroil gasser and even an electric smoker at an AirBnB. Never had one that didn't turn out. Not to mention it gets me out of the kitchen where all the hectic activity is going on while I enjoy a beverage of my choice while "monitoring" the cooking process.

[Alan Brice]

Smart fella!

[Jfrosty27]

Yes I too need to “ monitor “ the bbq process…. With my pellet cooker. 🤣😉🤫
Either the wifey hasn’t figured it out yet or she’s fully on to me and just being a great wife while I sit outside enjoying adult beverages and listening to music. Either way, it’s definitely part of my standard procedure!

[Carolyn]

I thought sitting outside with a beverage and music was an essential part of the cooking process. It just doesn't come out right if you skip this step. 😉

[Tracy Evans]

Thanks everyone for all the wonderful input and experience you have shared on how to cook a turkey in a Pit Barrel smoker/cooker. I realize now the PBX is way to big for what I need. I decided to get the PB Classic (18.5") and am looking forward to Thanksgiving now!

[Alan Brice]

The PBC was my first charcoal/wood smoker. I think it beats them all for simplicity and full smokey goodness. Pit Barrel Co has some great assy, a basket is nice for veggies or wings. fzxdoc/Kathryn is the PBC Queen and has posted more info here than you can get from the mfg. It is a killer rib machine. Brisket needs a dbl hook. Enjoy! Clean the ash out every time and it will give you 10 or 12 years of great service. The cheap elec smokers cover will fit just fine.