Author Topic: 20.4 lb turkey...smoke whole or in pieces?  (Read 2920 times)

jpowell

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20.4 lb turkey...smoke whole or in pieces?
« on: November 28, 2017, 10:14:29 PM »
I was gifted a 20.4lb frozen turkey today! :-)
I've been meaning to smoke a turkey, but just haven't done one yet. This seems to be much larger than I see others posting. Should I smoke it whole or cut it up into chunks or ?  If chunks, how should it be cut up?
If it stays whole I'm going to need a much bigger brining container :-)

Jason
>3D (my 1st ever smoker!) purchased 4/16
>4 Analog acquired from the founder of Auber Instruments in 11/22 with twin internal auber convection fans. Converting to digital with auber AW-WST1510H-W
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SuperDave

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Re: 20.4 lb turkey...smoke whole or in pieces?
« Reply #1 on: November 28, 2017, 10:52:00 PM »
My recommendation is to take it to your store meat department. They will put it on the bandsaw and cut it in half.
Model 4, Harrisville, Utah

jpowell

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Re: 20.4 lb turkey...smoke whole or in pieces?
« Reply #2 on: November 28, 2017, 10:55:12 PM »
Do the cut while still frozen or would they want it thawed?
Jason
>3D (my 1st ever smoker!) purchased 4/16
>4 Analog acquired from the founder of Auber Instruments in 11/22 with twin internal auber convection fans. Converting to digital with auber AW-WST1510H-W
>IT Guy
>Autocross and track day junkie
>Far Northern Indiana

SuperDave

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Re: 20.4 lb turkey...smoke whole or in pieces?
« Reply #3 on: November 29, 2017, 09:57:24 AM »
I would think slightly frozen but ask them to be sure. 
Model 4, Harrisville, Utah

EFGM

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Re: 20.4 lb turkey...smoke whole or in pieces?
« Reply #4 on: November 29, 2017, 10:47:49 AM »
I would spatchcock it, then cut in half. I will always remember Tony saying not to go over 14# for safety! 
Doug
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SuperDave

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Re: 20.4 lb turkey...smoke whole or in pieces?
« Reply #5 on: November 29, 2017, 11:12:46 AM »
I would spatchcock it, then cut in half.
Works if you have a clean hacksaw in order to get through the breast bone. 
Model 4, Harrisville, Utah

SconnieQ

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Re: 20.4 lb turkey...smoke whole or in pieces?
« Reply #6 on: November 30, 2017, 05:59:53 PM »
I think you can get though the breast bone with a good chef's knife and a mallot or hammer. Remove the back bone first with a sharp knife or kitchen shears by cutting along both sides. Save this for stock. Then place your knife on the inside of the turkey against the widest part of the breast bone toward the neck, and either pound with your hand or chop with a cleaver, or use a mallot or hammer, and "score" through the bone. Then try to "flatten" and break the breast by pushing on the two sides. Continue to cut through with a knife. The breast bone is much softer than beef bones, and should be able to be split without major saws. The point is... to spatchcock it, and place each half on it's own rack. However you get there, getting 2 halves, if you need to go all caveman on it, is fine.
Kari from Madison WI "77 Square Miles Surrounded by Reality"
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Walt

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Re: 20.4 lb turkey...smoke whole or in pieces?
« Reply #7 on: November 30, 2017, 07:12:44 PM »
Its so much more fun with a Sawzall!
Walt from South East Louisiana
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TX Gent

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Re: 20.4 lb turkey...smoke whole or in pieces?
« Reply #8 on: November 30, 2017, 08:14:18 PM »
I'll second use of the Sawzall especially with a brand new demo blade ...

Just fun'n
John ... Smokin #2  South of "Hells' Half Acre" and along ol' Deer Creek

jpowell

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Re: 20.4 lb turkey...smoke whole or in pieces?
« Reply #9 on: November 30, 2017, 10:14:49 PM »
Brine after halving it or before?
Don’t tempt me with the sawzall idea. That sounds fun! ;)
Jason
>3D (my 1st ever smoker!) purchased 4/16
>4 Analog acquired from the founder of Auber Instruments in 11/22 with twin internal auber convection fans. Converting to digital with auber AW-WST1510H-W
>IT Guy
>Autocross and track day junkie
>Far Northern Indiana

SuperDave

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Re: 20.4 lb turkey...smoke whole or in pieces?
« Reply #10 on: November 30, 2017, 10:33:25 PM »
I’d brine after halving. Easier to fit in briner.
Model 4, Harrisville, Utah