My First Turkey in the SRG

[sparkdogg77]

I was so excited to cook my first turkey in the SRG (actually, my first turkey ever).

I read several threads and decided on TMB's 2 stick turkey.  I didn't have time to get the WOW trail dust but I recalled reading Mrs. Dash was good too.  So I went to the store and well, they sell about 15 different seasoning blends so I just bought the original blend.

I had problems getting the butter / seasoning mixture into the injector.  The seasoning was too thick to get sucked up into the injector.  Looking back, I didn't let the butter and seasoning cook or simmer.  I believe I just let it melt and stirred it up.  I wonder now, if I had let it cook a bit, would the seasoning broke down enough to go into the injector?  I also forgot to dry off the turkey.



I tried to brush on an even coat of the mixture but by the time I had got the turkey into the basket, over half of my seasoning had dripped off.  Plan B - I sprayed the turkey with cooking spray and sprinkled more Mrs. Dash on it before dropping it into the chamber.  I used the half racks to raise the turkey a bit in the basket. Legs down, breast up.



I used some apple wood smoking chips to see if the smoke would add some flavor as well. I filled the smoke tray up about 4-5 times.  I wasn't able to taste a smoke flavor in the turkey.




This was an 11.5 pound bird so I was guessing around 2 hour cook time.  For the first hour, I cooked with the lid up, watching the thermometer to hit around 130 and was changing out the wood chips every 15 minutes or so.  After the IT hit 130, I raised the lid and rotated 1/3 turn.  I checked a few more times (rotating again after 30 min) and then got busy with things in the kitchen and when I realized I was at my 2 hours, I ran outside to find the IT at 170.  I killed the gas and let it rest for a few minutes in the chamber.



Everyone liked it and said it was very tender.  I think it was a little dry - but I have had much dryer turkeys out of the oven.  Next time, I will make sure to hang around after the 150 mark.

[teesquare]

Nice job!

Just some ideas/  things to try for the next poultry cook:
1. Get a second hand coffee grinder - and clean it out - use it got fine grinding your spice blends.
2. Simmer the spice blends - then strain them with a fine wire strainer if you are going to inject - or -
3. loosen the skin on the breast an thigh buy using a butter knife and your fingers - and apply the rub - infused butter under the skin - or -
4. combine your rub and room temp butter, then roll the butter up into a log shape in saran wrap and refrigerate - then cut up the butter into small pieces - place them under the skin

Hope those help! Turkey looks good

[muebe]

Looks great!

[HighOnSmoke]

Turkey looks great! Ham looks good too!

[Las Vegan Cajun]

Great looking turkey, especially for your first one.

[Pappymn]

Looks great! You can also pic up a needle that can handle thicker injections. That is basically all I use.  Here is mine.
Bayou Classic 5011 2-Ounce Stainless-Steel Seasoning Injector with Marinade Needles https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KDZ1VA/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_-XDOub0XQTH7Y

[Las Vegan Cajun]

Looks great! You can also pic up a needle that can handle thicker injections. That is basically all I use.  Here is mine.
Bayou Classic 5011 2-Ounce Stainless-Steel Seasoning Injector with Marinade Needles https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KDZ1VA/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_-XDOub0XQTH7Y

Bet that thing works great when injecting peas.

[sliding_billy]

Good looking bird!

[TMB]

Looks good from here.   Like Tee said , grind with a coffee grinder then go from there.

I cook wit h the lid down then lift it at around 130 IT to finish

[jjjonz]

Looks great! You can also pic up a needle that can handle thicker injections. That is basically all I use.  Here is mine.
Bayou Classic 5011 2-Ounce Stainless-Steel Seasoning Injector with Marinade Needles https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KDZ1VA/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_-XDOub0XQTH7Y

I messed around with several needles over the years and finally got one of those. Very happy with it.

[sparkdogg77]

I cook wit h the lid down then lift it at around 130 IT to finish

I suck at proof reading... I did cook with the lid down until 130.  That was great advice and gave the turkey the perfect brown skin I was looking for.  Thanks!

[sparkdogg77]

Nice job!

Just some ideas/  things to try for the next poultry cook:
1. Get a second hand coffee grinder - and clean it out - use it got fine grinding your spice blends.
2. Simmer the spice blends - then strain them with a fine wire strainer if you are going to inject - or -
3. loosen the skin on the breast an thigh buy using a butter knife and your fingers - and apply the rub - infused butter under the skin - or -
4. combine your rub and room temp butter, then roll the butter up into a log shape in saran wrap and refrigerate - then cut up the butter into small pieces - place them under the skin

Hope those help! Turkey looks good

Thanks tee for the advice.  I will keep an eye out for a cheap coffee grinder. 

[sparkdogg77]

Looks great! You can also pic up a needle that can handle thicker injections. That is basically all I use.  Here is mine.
Bayou Classic 5011 2-Ounce Stainless-Steel Seasoning Injector with Marinade Needles https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KDZ1VA/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_-XDOub0XQTH7Y

That's an awesome looking injector!

[teesquare]

You may also want to check out the Spit Jack    http://spitjack.com/category/MEAT-BRINE-INJECTORS.html

I know they look expensive - but I have owned at least 20 injectors. Cheap ones to fairly expensive. ALL of them failed me. After one of our members here on LTBBQ convinced me - I ordered the SpitJack Magnum Kit. I can assure you, I will never need to buy another one because of failure. This thing is built extremely well. And parts are replaceable as it is based on a large animal veterinary syringe system, with a metering dial to limit how much you inject in one spot. Pretty cool.....

[Pam Gould]

I just run the spice stuff through the spice grinder. then let it flavor the butter..just another way.  Pam  .☆´¯`•.¸¸. ི♥ྀ.