Turkey smoking time

[Ok_Longhorn]

Trying to plan out my Memorial Day and my wife got a 20lb turkey she wants me to smoke. The last time I did this it was a 9 lb turkey and it took me I think just under 3 hours so I'm trying to figure out how long this one will probably smoke.

I've seen "rules of thumb" of 30 minutes per pound but that doesn't seem right as that would be 10 hours.

 

[MeaHorn]

Damn, that's a big bird. That's going to take at least 6 hrs, maybe more. Just make sure it's 160 degrees before you pull it off.

 

[Ok_Longhorn]

Well, for those that might be curious, it took about 10 hours. I was afraid it was going to be all dried out after cooking so long but it still turned out pretty well.

 

[Napoleon]

Did you use a thermometer to check the internal temperature?

 

[TheFied]

If you brine the turkey, it cooks faster.

I had a 9 pound bird and it took like < 4 hours.

 

[Ok_Longhorn]

Yes, I brined. I shudder to think of how long it would take to cook otherwise. I really think though that is why it didn't become a dry and uneatable mess. It was still more moist that regular turkeys.

And yes I have an internal temp probe that has a wireless receiver. I actually awoke at 4am to a female voice saying, "It's almost done, it's almost done..".. It's set to 180 but the voice warns you at 175 which I figured was close enough. It was all done but not overcooked.

So all was good. Just took a LONG time and, after 20 + people, we STILL have turkey left.

Anyone hungry?