Trash Turkey!

[Mike 870]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.  I thought I'd post some pictures of our trash turkey for everyone.

First a word of caution.  The galvinization on many trash cans is toxic, so if you decide to do this you have to make sure you don't have a toxic trash can. 

We use about a 12.5 pound turkey and a 25 or so gallon metal trash can to cook our turkey every year.  Frees up the oven for other goodies.



Required materials.



Start 1.5 bags of coals burning burning with lighter fluid and let them get good and hot.



Find yourself a nice level spot that is sheltered from wind and lay down some tinfoil a good deal larger than the circumfrence of the top of the trash can.



Stick a stake in the ground  and put a soda can on top.  This prevents the turkey from falling down through.  We rub the turkey with olive oil.




put the turkey on the stake, pin the wings in with a metal shish ke bab stake.  The turkey should have about 6 inches of clearance from the bottom (now top since it is upside down) of the trash can.  Too close and you will really burn the top of the turkey.



Cover the turkey with the trash can and place some uncooked coals on top of the trash can and around the sides.





pile the hot coals on the top of the trash can, and in a ring around the base of the trash can.   Make sure the trash can is pushed down so as to form a good seal with the ground.  Curl the tinfoil up around the coals so that it deflects the heat back towards the trash can.





Cook for 1 hour and 20 minutes!  Remove the hot coals from the top of the trash can and take the can off.  Wear a double layer of gloves because the can is super super hot. And be careful!

Then enjoy.  If you do it right the skin will be golden brown on the outside and white right up to the breast bone.  If it doesnt come out right the most common problems are:  Too much wind, too big of a trash can, not enough coals, too big of a turkey, or not a good seal between the trashcan and the ground.

Enjoy!

[Redoverfarm]

Mike this is our trash turkey.



May your stuffing be tasty

May your turkey be plump

May your potatoes and gravy

Have never a lump.

May your yams be delicious

Your pies take the prize

May your Thanksgiving dinner

Stay off your thighs!

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!