I have the one of the original Weber Grill cookbooks, called Elegant Fare, from 1977. The directions they give for roasting a whole turkey are based on their recipe for roasting a whole chicken (just bigger, I guess). I will post the roast turkey info first, followed by the exact text for roasting a chicken.
Roast Turkey
3/4 to 1 lb - turkey under 12 lbs = 1 serving 1/2 to 3/4 lb - turkey over 12 lbs = 1 serving
To prepare: See roast chicken. When the bird is trussed, rub with peanut oil. Insert meat thermometer in center of inside thigh muscle.
Roast Turkey Cooking Chart
Roast by indirect heat method for charcoal, by indirect heat method (low heat) for gas, breast side up. "Baste frequently." Roast to internal temp of 180 deg. F. Allow to stand 20 min before carving.
Estimated total cooking time
For stuffed turkey, allow 13 min. per pound Fresh or Frozen, thawed Int. temp Time 6-8 lbs 185 2 to 2 3/4 hrs 8-12 lbs 185 2 1/2 to 3 3/4 hrs 12-16 lbs 185 3 1/2 to 4 hrs 16-20 lbs 185 4 1/2 to 5 hrs
To prepare: Wipe the bird inside & out rub the cavity with a cut lemon to freshen. Sprinkle inside with salt & pepper & tuck the wings back. Allow to come to room temperature. If serving unstuffed, the cavity may be seasoned with 2 T. butter and a selection of aromatic vegetables and herbs of your choice: Try crushed garlic cloves; onion wedges; chopped carrots; celery stalk; apple; parsley; rosemary; tarragon; thyme. The vent of the stuffed birds may be sewed or skewered shut. Truss the bird tightly & rub with 1 or 2 T softened butter. If self-basting is desired, lay slices of bacon across the bird.
The best way to describe the indirect heat method (without the diagram, which makes it much simpler) is based on the diameter of your grill in inches. Basically, you place your briquettes on either side of a charcoal rail, which holds the briquettes in place on the sides of the grill. Otherwise, pile them very care- fully on each side in the grill so they are not directly under the item you are cooking. If your grill is 26 in diam. use 30 briquettes on each side for the first hour & add 9 briquettes to each side every hour. 22 3/4 in. diam, start with 25 briquettes on each side for the first hr and add 8 to each side every hr. 18 in. diam. start with 16 on each side the first hr and add 5 to each side every hour. DON'T FORGET to add the addt'l charcoal every 60 min.
You can place a shallow drip pan inside the charcoal rails, if you have them. Otherwise, I improvise & create one from double thicknesses of heavy duty aluminum foil. It's not as sturdy, but it does serve the purpose.
Make sure the coals are well lit (grey ash has formed on them). It takes about 25-30 min once they are lit, to get to that point. And make sure the top grill is positioned with the handles directly over the coals to allow the addition of extra charcoal as needed. Use a meat thermometer because heat in a grill is not an exact science, so your cooking times can vary from what is stated.
I hope this helps, good luck. And you know, if worst comes to worst (or wurst!) you can always call your dad long distance. |