I mean, it’s about time that we give thanks and celebrate with others… and also smoke some meat. Smoking a turkey is pretty straightforward. I recommend that you get a small turkey and give it a try. If anything, you might learn something and you might just make something that everyone loves.

Some tips:

• Start small – 11-14lbs is a good-sized turkey
• Buy two turkeys and cook one in advance. This will be your ace in the hole. Or, it will be your no-pressure backup turkey.
• Brine the turkey for at least 24 hours – this will introduce some flavor and get the turkey ready for smoke.
• Apply a rub with salt, pepper, and herbs. Turkey doesn’t taste like much itself, so feel free to kick up the flavor with some herbs.
• Cover the tips of the wings and legs with foil. This will stop them from burning.
• Smoke at a higher temperature, around 335F for a couple of hours
• Add some cubed butter to the turkey and put it back into the smoker until the bird reaches 165F in the breast and thighs.
• Use your oven after the initial smoke if you can’t keep a steady smoker temperature on a cold day.

I also recommend that you watch some YouTube videos and absorb some of the processes and techniques. I suggest starting with Arron Franklin’s BBQ with Franklin series on Thanksgiving.

Let me know how it goes for you!

“Foliage is a fun word.”

Hans Scharler

In the US, it’s Thanksgiving. I love the idea behind Thanksgiving: giving thanks. It’s not about getting thanks or getting thanked, it is about giving thanks to others and acknowledging others.

The holiday is about giving thanks. That’s why it’s not called Thanksgetting. This means you take an action and give thanks, not seek it out. Find those around who make what you do possible and tell them thanks, acknowledge their contribution. Do this selflessly. Who haven’t you thanked in a while?