Let's Talk BBQ

Outdoor Cooking Equipment => Charbroil Infrared & SRG style Cookers => Grills & Smokers => Big Easy (BEESR) and SRG Type cookers => Topic started by: sparkdogg77 on December 29, 2014, 04:52:26 PM

Title: My First Turkey in the SRG
Post by: sparkdogg77 on December 29, 2014, 04:52:26 PM
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.

(http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/vv339/sparkdogg77/SRG/09BE0FF8-601D-4CDB-8C67-004E3849D024.jpg) (http://s697.photobucket.com/user/sparkdogg77/media/SRG/09BE0FF8-601D-4CDB-8C67-004E3849D024.jpg.html)

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.

(http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/vv339/sparkdogg77/SRG/DC1199D9-513A-4148-8269-E378D5ECB9CF.jpg) (http://s697.photobucket.com/user/sparkdogg77/media/SRG/DC1199D9-513A-4148-8269-E378D5ECB9CF.jpg.html)

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.

(http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/vv339/sparkdogg77/SRG/7CAC1010-9573-46C3-ADC9-F73E25F4EA0D.jpg) (http://s697.photobucket.com/user/sparkdogg77/media/SRG/7CAC1010-9573-46C3-ADC9-F73E25F4EA0D.jpg.html)


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.

(http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/vv339/sparkdogg77/SRG/C1E8ABDD-853B-4333-9870-666C5FF36B07.jpg) (http://s697.photobucket.com/user/sparkdogg77/media/SRG/C1E8ABDD-853B-4333-9870-666C5FF36B07.jpg.html)

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.

(http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/vv339/sparkdogg77/SRG/F687EA51-CCB2-4D8E-AD7C-E33A48FA5AE2.jpg) (http://s697.photobucket.com/user/sparkdogg77/media/SRG/F687EA51-CCB2-4D8E-AD7C-E33A48FA5AE2.jpg.html)

Title: Re: My First Turkey in the SRG
Post by: teesquare on December 29, 2014, 05:01:11 PM
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 ;)
Title: Re: My First Turkey in the SRG
Post by: muebe on December 29, 2014, 05:43:01 PM
Looks great!
Title: Re: My First Turkey in the SRG
Post by: HighOnSmoke on December 29, 2014, 05:47:26 PM
Turkey looks great! Ham looks good too!
Title: Re: My First Turkey in the SRG
Post by: Las Vegan Cajun on December 29, 2014, 05:51:03 PM
Great looking turkey, especially for your first one. ;)
Title: My First Turkey in the SRG
Post by: Pappymn on December 29, 2014, 05:59:25 PM
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
Title: Re: My First Turkey in the SRG
Post by: Las Vegan Cajun on December 29, 2014, 06:05:32 PM
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. :P
Title: Re: My First Turkey in the SRG
Post by: sliding_billy on December 29, 2014, 06:11:59 PM
Good looking bird!
Title: Re: My First Turkey in the SRG
Post by: TMB on December 29, 2014, 06:14:23 PM
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
Title: Re: My First Turkey in the SRG
Post by: jjjonz on December 29, 2014, 08:11:52 PM
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.
Title: Re: My First Turkey in the SRG
Post by: sparkdogg77 on December 30, 2014, 10:35:19 AM
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!
Title: Re: My First Turkey in the SRG
Post by: sparkdogg77 on December 30, 2014, 10:37:07 AM
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. 
Title: Re: My First Turkey in the SRG
Post by: sparkdogg77 on December 30, 2014, 10:40:48 AM
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!
Title: Re: My First Turkey in the SRG
Post by: teesquare on December 30, 2014, 10:47:31 AM
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.....
Title: Re: My First Turkey in the SRG
Post by: Pam Gould on December 30, 2014, 10:59:56 AM
I just run the spice stuff through the spice grinder. then let it flavor the butter..just another way.  Pam  .☆´¯`•.¸¸. ི♥ྀ.
Title: Re: My First Turkey in the SRG
Post by: Las Vegan Cajun on December 30, 2014, 02:09:05 PM
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.....

I have one of those too, built to last a lifetime, it will last long enough to pass down like cast iron skillets. ;)
Title: Re: My First Turkey in the SRG
Post by: aliengriller on December 30, 2014, 02:46:34 PM
I'll second the SpitJack motion!   Those things are built like brick you know whats!  Use it all the time.
Title: Re: My First Turkey in the SRG
Post by: muebe on December 30, 2014, 02:59:37 PM
I got a spitjack too and agree with Tee. It is the last injector you will need to buy!