Hey Pit Barrel Cooker folks, I need your input

[JCBBQ]

I need to cook two 12-15 lb turkeys. I will use my PBC as I can't do that in my oven or my Primo. I see PBC now offers Turkey hangers. That would work, but initially, before I saw those I thought I'd cut the turkeys in half and hang 4 halves - like I do chicken. Has anyone ever cooked Turkey in their PBC either w the hanger or in halves? I'm curious to hear your feedback - pros and cons. Also, if you've cooked halves, how long did it take. Thanks in advance!

[smn1285]

Thanks for starting this post. I’m interested in seeing the suggestions as I feel like I’d rather 1/2 them and hang like chicken as opposed to buying the turkey hanger accessory.

[JCBBQ]

I'm up for buying them, it's just the chicken I've made when I hang halves is outstanding, so i'm not sure I need to buy the turkey hangers.

[snctom]

Found this on Youtube. The guy uses a PBC and Barrelhouse Cooker. He does a variety of turkey cooks. Some where he splits the turkeys like a chicken. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV1gtPVrDi4

[JeffJ]

I've used the turkey hanger. It was super easy and I definitely prefer it to using hooks.

[JCBBQ]

Thanks JeffJ. Have you ever used the hanger and cooked whole chickens? If you have, how do you like the whole chickens vs hanging halves...if you've done that?

[JeffJ]

JCBBQ I've never halved a chicken. I've only used the hanger. My advice is if you have the hanger, use it and don't look back.

[BourBonQ]

I use the hanger for turkey, but I always split chickens. Great results for both. I might try quartering the turkey next time to really dial in the doneness of each section.

[Pit Barrel Cooker Co.]

The Turkey Hangers are very popular, especially around holiday time. You will have great results either way for turkey in the Pit Barrel Cooker but for presentation of the bird at the table, some people prefer the Turkey Hanger. Feel free to check out the Holiday Turkey video here: https://www.pitbarrelcooker.com/reso...oliday-turkey/. Enjoy!

[jecucolo]

Great response! They do look pretty coming out whole I like spatchcock though.

[Larry Grover]

I hung mine on a Spanek vertical roaster.

[shify]

Good question. I just got a PBC this year, so haven't cooked a Thanksgiving meal on it yet but plan to this year and was wondering if anyone has used the PBC for both a spatchcock turkey and turkey cooked on the hanger and can compare/contract the two. I have spatchcocked and cooked in my oven the last few years, so I'm comfortable with doing that if its a better end result than the hanger. I don't want to bother buying a turkey hanger if its not necessary, so looking forward to the responses

[HawkerXP]

I've always hung them (turkeys) whole from the hanger. Chickens (2) I hook whole from one rebar. All good!

[Mudkat]

I like that action!

[JeffJ]

The only downside to the hanger is it requires both rebars to be in and birds are best when cooked at higher temperatures. I end up having to crack the lid.

[HawkerXP]

I have found if you just slide the open end of the hanger onto the rebar instead of crossbar you can use the hanger and leave the second rebar out for added airflow to increase temps.

[JeffJ]

Now that's pretty clever HawkerXP.

[HawkerXP]

I added pictures above that show.

[Obi-Dan]

I’ve never split a turkey. I’ve hung it with hooks before the turkey hangers were available and prefer using hangers. My whole family agrees, best turkey ever has been on the PBC.

[Steve R.]

I did Thanksgiving turkey last year using the turkey hanger. It is pretty handy, but I much prefer to spatchcock turkeys.

[PBCDad]

I've split a turkey before for the PBC a long time ago and I probably did something wrong, but I felt like there wasn't much connecting the leg to the rest of the turkey after I cut out the backbone. I don't remember what I did, but it must have come out great anyway because all poultry off the PBC is a home run (except for the one time I undercooked it ).

I've since gotten the turkey hangers and used them. Two turkeys fit but they'll put off a lot of drippings so make sure you get a good light on your coals and run it hot. I prefer the turkey hangers, and sometimes for chicken too if the presentation makes a difference.

[FireMan]

This is one I did in the spring.

[FireMan]

14 lb.

[jecucolo]

You know I bought 2 of these when they first came out. They work fine but I actually prefer spatchcock turkey. In my opinion they aren’t necessary and you get better turkey with spatchcock.

[JCBBQ]

This site it the BEST!! Great responses y'all. Thank you.