How to Smoke a Perfect Turkey on Your Yoder YS640

Smoked Turkey on Yoder YS640: A Step-by-Step Guide

The Yoder YS640 is a popular pellet smoker that can be used to cook a variety of meats, including turkey. Smoking a turkey is a great way to achieve a delicious, juicy, and flavorful bird. This guide will walk you through the process of smoking a turkey on a Yoder YS640, from brining the turkey to smoking it to carving it.

Brining the Turkey

The first step to smoking a turkey is to brine it. Brining helps to keep the turkey moist and flavorful. To brine the turkey, you will need:

* A large stockpot or bucket
* Water
* Salt
* Sugar
* Garlic cloves
* Bay leaves
* Whole black peppercorns

To brine the turkey, fill the stockpot or bucket with water. Add the salt, sugar, garlic cloves, bay leaves, and black peppercorns. Stir to dissolve the salt and sugar. Place the turkey in the brine, making sure that it is completely submerged. Cover the pot or bucket and refrigerate for 24-48 hours.

Smoking the Turkey

Once the turkey has been brined, it is ready to be smoked. To smoke the turkey, you will need:

* Your Yoder YS640 smoker
* Wood pellets
* A meat thermometer
* A spray bottle filled with water

To smoke the turkey, preheat your Yoder YS640 to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Fill the hopper with wood pellets. Place the turkey in the smoker, breast-side up. Smoke the turkey for 3-4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Carving the Turkey

Once the turkey has been smoked, it is ready to be carved. To carve the turkey, you will need:

* A sharp knife
* A carving board
* A platter

To carve the turkey, first remove the legs and wings. Then, slice the breast meat off of the bone. Finally, slice the thigh and drumstick meat. Arrange the sliced turkey on a platter and serve.

Temperature	Time	Notes
225 degrees F	12-15 hours	Rub the turkey with a mixture of brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
250 degrees F	6-8 hours	Cover the turkey with aluminum foil and cook until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
300 degrees F	3-4 hours	Uncover the turkey and cook until the skin is brown and crispy.

Choosing the Right Turkey

When choosing a turkey for smoking, there are a few factors to consider.

* Size and weight. The size of the turkey will determine how long it takes to smoke. A smaller turkey will take less time than a larger turkey. The weight of the turkey will also affect the cooking time. A heavier turkey will take longer to cook than a lighter turkey.
* Type of turkey. There are two main types of turkeys available: whole turkeys and boneless, skinless breasts. Whole turkeys are more traditional and will give you a more flavorful smoked turkey. Boneless, skinless breasts are easier to cook and are a good option if you are short on time.
* Brining or dry-brining. Brining is a process of soaking the turkey in a salt water solution before cooking. This helps to keep the turkey moist and flavorful. Dry-brining is a process of rubbing the turkey with a mixture of salt, sugar, and spices before cooking. This also helps to keep the turkey moist and flavorful.

Preparing the Turkey

Once you have chosen a turkey, it is time to prepare it for smoking.

* Removing the giblets. The giblets are the internal organs of the turkey. They are usually found in a bag inside the turkey’s cavity. You can either remove the giblets before or after smoking the turkey. If you remove them before smoking, you can save them for making gravy.
* Trussing the turkey. Trussing the turkey helps to keep it in a compact shape while it cooks. This will help to ensure that the turkey cooks evenly. There are a few different ways to truss a turkey. You can either use butcher’s twine or a poultry truss.
* Applying the rub or marinade. The rub or marinade will add flavor to the turkey. You can use a store-bought rub or marinade, or you can make your own. If you are making your own rub or marinade, be sure to let the turkey marinate for at least a few hours, or overnight, before smoking it.

Smoking the Turkey

Smoking a turkey is a relatively simple process. However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind to ensure that the turkey turns out perfectly.

* Temperature. The ideal temperature for smoking a turkey is between 225F and 250F. If the temperature is too high, the turkey will dry out. If the temperature is too low, the turkey will not cook evenly.
* Time. The amount of time it takes to smoke a turkey will vary depending on the size of the turkey. A smaller turkey will take less time than a larger turkey. A good rule of thumb is to allow 1 hour of smoking time per pound of turkey.
* Moisture. It is important to keep the turkey moist while it is smoking. You can do this by spraying the turkey with water or apple cider vinegar every hour or so. You can also place a pan of water underneath the turkey to help create steam.

Smoking a turkey is a great way to cook a delicious and flavorful holiday meal. By following these tips, you can be sure that your smoked turkey will be a hit with everyone at your table.

Additional Tips

* If you are smoking a whole turkey, it is important to make sure that the turkey is fully thawed before smoking. A frozen turkey will not cook evenly and may not be safe to eat.
* You can smoke a turkey on any type of smoker, but a charcoal smoker or a pellet smoker will produce the best results.
* If you do not have a smoker, you can also smoke a turkey in your oven. To do this, preheat your oven to 225F and place the turkey in a roasting pan. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and cook the turkey for 1 hour per pound. After 1 hour, remove the foil and continue to cook the turkey until the internal temperature reaches 165F.
* When smoking a turkey, it is important to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey. The turkey is done cooking when the internal temperature reaches 165F.
* Let the turkey rest for at least 15 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and the turkey will be more tender.

References

* [How to Smoke a Turkey](https://www.thespruceeats.com/how-to-smoke-a-turkey-591211)
* [Tips for Smoking

Smoking the Turkey

When smoking a turkey on a Yoder YS640, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you need to make sure that the turkey is at room temperature before you start smoking it. This will help to ensure that the turkey cooks evenly. Second, you need to choose the right wood chips or pellets for smoking. For a traditional smoked turkey, you can use hickory, oak, or pecan wood chips. If you want to add a bit of flavor to your turkey, you can also use fruit woods like apple or cherry.

Once you have chosen your wood chips or pellets, you can start smoking the turkey. The general rule of thumb is to smoke the turkey at a temperature of 225 degrees Fahrenheit for about 3 hours per pound. However, you may need to adjust the cooking time depending on the size of your turkey.

While the turkey is smoking, you will need to spritz or baste it every hour or so. This will help to keep the turkey moist and prevent it from drying out. You can use a mixture of water, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce for spritzing or basting.

Once the turkey is cooked through, you will need to let it rest for at least 30 minutes before carving it. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the turkey, making it more flavorful and juicy.

Temperature and Time

The ideal temperature for smoking a turkey on a Yoder YS640 is 225 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature will allow the turkey to cook slowly and evenly, resulting in a juicy and flavorful bird.

The cooking time for a smoked turkey will vary depending on the size of the turkey. A general rule of thumb is to smoke the turkey for about 3 hours per pound. However, you may need to adjust the cooking time depending on the temperature of your smoker and the type of wood you are using.

Wood Chips or Pellets

The type of wood chips or pellets you use will affect the flavor of your smoked turkey. For a traditional smoked turkey, you can use hickory, oak, or pecan wood chips. If you want to add a bit of flavor to your turkey, you can also use fruit woods like apple or cherry.

When choosing wood chips or pellets, it is important to use a high-quality product. This will help to ensure that your turkey has a delicious and smoky flavor.

Spritzer or Basting

While the turkey is smoking, you will need to spritz or baste it every hour or so. This will help to keep the turkey moist and prevent it from drying out. You can use a mixture of water, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce for spritzing or basting.

Resting the Turkey

Once the turkey is cooked through, you will need to let it rest for at least 30 minutes before carving it. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the turkey, making it more flavorful and juicy.

Carving the Turkey

Carving a smoked turkey can be a bit tricky, but it is not too difficult. Here are a few tips for carving a smoked turkey:

* Use a sharp knife.
* Start by cutting the turkey in half down the breastbone.
* Carve the legs and thighs by cutting them away from the body.
* Carve the wings by cutting them away from the body.
* Carve the breast meat by cutting it away from the bone.

Serving the Turkey

Once the turkey is carved, you can serve it immediately or refrigerate it for later. If you are serving the turkey immediately, you can garnish it with your favorite sides and enjoy!

Smoking a turkey on a Yoder YS640 is a great way to cook a delicious and flavorful bird. By following these tips, you can be sure to create a smoked turkey that your family and friends will love.

Q: What is the best temperature to smoke a turkey on a Yoder YS640?
A: The ideal temperature for smoking a turkey on a Yoder YS640 is between 225F and 250F. This will allow the turkey to cook evenly and slowly, resulting in a moist and flavorful end product.

Q: How long does it take to smoke a turkey on a Yoder YS640?
A: The cooking time for a smoked turkey will vary depending on the size of the turkey. A general rule of thumb is to allow 1 hour of cooking time per pound of turkey. So, a 10-pound turkey will take approximately 10 hours to smoke.

Q: What wood should I use to smoke a turkey on a Yoder YS640?
A: There are many different woods that can be used to smoke a turkey, but some of the most popular options include applewood, hickory, and oak. The type of wood you choose will impart its own unique flavor to the turkey, so experiment with different woods until you find one that you like.

Q: How do I baste a turkey while it is smoking on a Yoder YS640?
A: Basting a turkey while it is smoking will help to keep it moist and flavorful. To baste the turkey, simply remove it from the smoker and brush it with a mixture of melted butter, olive oil, and your favorite seasonings. Then, replace the turkey in the smoker and continue cooking.

Q: What are some tips for smoking a turkey on a Yoder YS640?
A: Here are a few tips for smoking a turkey on a Yoder YS640:

* Use a high-quality turkey. A good-quality turkey will make all the difference in the final product.
* Brine the turkey before smoking it. Brining will help to keep the turkey moist and flavorful.
* Smoke the turkey at a low temperature. This will allow the turkey to cook evenly and slowly, resulting in a moist and flavorful end product.
* Baste the turkey regularly. Basting will help to keep the turkey moist and flavorful.
* Let the turkey rest before carving it. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the turkey, resulting in a more flavorful and juicy end product.

Q: What are some common mistakes people make when smoking a turkey on a Yoder YS640?
A: Here are a few common mistakes people make when smoking a turkey on a Yoder YS640:

* Using too much wood. Using too much wood can result in a bitter-tasting turkey.
* Smoking the turkey at too high a temperature. Smoking the turkey at too high a temperature can dry out the turkey.
* Not basting the turkey regularly. Basting the turkey regularly will help to keep it moist and flavorful.
* Not letting the turkey rest before carving it. Letting the turkey rest before carving it will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the turkey, resulting in a more flavorful and juicy end product.

smoking a turkey on a Yoder YS640 is a great way to cook a delicious and moist bird. The key to success is to brine the turkey for several days before smoking it, and to use a good quality wood for smoking. The Yoder YS640 is a great smoker for beginners and experts alike, and it will produce amazing results every time.

Here are some key takeaways from this article:

* Brining a turkey before smoking it will help to keep it moist and flavorful.
* Use a good quality wood for smoking, such as apple, cherry, or hickory.
* The Yoder YS640 is a great smoker for beginners and experts alike.
* With a little practice, you can smoke a delicious turkey on your Yoder YS640 that will impress your friends and family.