I'm Tired of Hearing About Deep-Fried Turkeys...

[Pbartender]

...so I'm going to grill mine this year.

 

[Umbran]

I was toying with the idea of grill-smoking mine, but with so many guests, that seems rather too experimental. I'll want to try it some time when, if I screw it up, I can order out for pizza.

 

[Pbartender]

I was toying with the idea of grill-smoking mine, but with so many guests, that seems rather too experimental. I'll want to try it some time when, if I screw it up, I can order out for pizza.

Well, I'd thought that at first too, but upon further investigation, it doesn't seem any more difficult than roasting a turkey in the oven.

Every "recipe" I've seen for grilling a turkey gives the same important tips...

1. Make sure your grill is big enough. You need at least an inch or two of clearance between the turkey and the lid on all sides.
2. Use the "indirect heating" method for your grill. For charcoal, that means pushing the coals to the side, and putting a drip pan in the center of the ring of coals, just under where the turkey will sit. For gas grills, it simply means placing a drip pan directly on top of the flame deflectors or lava rocks. Be sure to keep a bit of water in the pan, so the drippings don't scorch.
3. Use a good thermometer to keep the temperature of the grill at about 350-375F, and to make sure the turkey meat reaches the appropriate temp (170-180F).
4. Some also suggest (though none call it a necessity) "rolling" the turkey at intervals onto its sides and breast to replicate a very slow rotisserie on the grill.

Otherwise, pretend you're roasting in an oven.

 

[Relique du Madde]

...so I'm going to grill mine this year.

How long does that take?

 

[Umbran]

Well, I'd thought that at first too, but upon further investigation, it doesn't seem any more difficult than roasting a turkey in the oven.

Dinner, for guests, including my mother-in-law, on a night when there's no stores open to provide alternative sustenance.

versus

"it doesn't seem any more difficult..."

Have you learned nothing from the Sitcom Wars of the 1980s, man?

 

[Pbartender]

How long does that take?

About the same as roasting... maybe 2 or 3 hours, depending on the size of the turkey.

Have you learned nothing from the Sitcom Wars of the 1980s, man?

I concede the point.


I, on the other hand, am cooking for just us and a handful of our gaming geek buddies.

 

[ssampier]

Do you need a dedicated smoker or does a standard charcoal grill work?

 

[ssampier]

Dinner, for guests, including my mother-in-law, on a night when there's no stores open to provide alternative sustenance.

versus

"it doesn't seem any more difficult..."

Have you learned nothing from the Sitcom Wars of the 1980s, man?

Odd, our grocery stores open on Thanksgiving until 6 pm. Walmart is open regular hours.

Now Christmas, on the other hand....

 

[Pbartender]

Do you need a dedicated smoker or does a standard charcoal grill work?

Nope. Just an ordinary grill, so long as it's big enough to fit the turkey in. I'll be using a plain old gas grill.

 

[ssampier]

"...So got dang juicy..."
Hank Hill

Using gas instead of charcoal sounds really convenient.