Spatchcock on a WSM 18.5

[jlazar]

I am going to smoke a 14lb turkey on a WSM 18.5. The cooking grate is approximately 17 inches in diameter. Does anyone have an experience cooking a spatchcock turkey on the WSM? My main concern is will it fit? From the one turkey that I smoked on the 18.5, it seemed to fill most of the grate. Knowing that most of the heat in the WSM is near the edges, I am wondering if a spatchcock bird would cook too quickly around the edges. Would like to hear your thoughts even if you don't use a WSM.

[Jon Solberg]

j I dont think its going to fit. A 14 lbs bird has got to be 11-13 inchec keel to spin. Open in up give it 26 inches.- minus the spin at an inch or two and your still at 20-24 inches. ... its not going to go unless you halve it and two rack it. Just a guess.

I dont see the heat at the edges being of concern at all.

[DeusDingo]

keel ...spin... are you a turkey farmer?

[Jon Solberg]

No but I did stay at a Holiday Inn express last night.

This from wiki: A keel or carina (plural carinae) in bird anatomy is an extension of the sternum (breastbone) which runs axially along the midline of the sternum and extends outward, perpendicular to the plane of the ribs.

[_John_]

I cut the backbone out but I don't flatten it, don't see a nee to on smokers like these, I would think that would fit fine. Edge heat could be a concern, but only on the bottom rack.

[Jon Solberg]

Johns correct. If you don't spatchcock the turkey it will fit. : )

[jlazar]

Thanks for the replies. I will leave it whole. If I don't flatten but cut the backbone out, how does that change cooking time? Right now I am planning on about 2.5 hrs at 325.

[Ernest]

If you remove the water bowl, you'd end up with even heat everywhere. That's how I cook birds on WSM. No water bowl.

[richinlbrg]

Remove the water bowl, or just leave it empty, Ernest ?

[Meatmeinstl]

I have a similar issue... cooking for a big crowd and someone else bought the turkeys. I have to cook a 22lb and a 15lb both will be cooked on separate UDS. I know i'll be able to spatchcock the 15lb one but a little nervous about the 22lb turkey. any idea if it will fit on a 22 inch grate flattened out?

[Ernest]

richinlbrg I leave it out completely

[jlazar]

Ernest. I have been told most of the heat on a WSM goes up the sides (around the water bowl) to the top and then down. If you remove the water bowl, I would expect it to go straight up. With the water bowl out, do you cook the turkey breast side down instead of up? Same with chicken, do you get most of the crisping from coming straight up?