Hey all you Turkey cookers out there, whats your favorite cooking secrets and Family traditions for it?
In my family, I get up early (30-40min./lb.)and fix a big ol egg nog and brandy. My wife preps the turkey by cleaning and rubbin down with oil, the turkey that is <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />. Meanwhile I fire up the smoker. Stoke it with Mesquite, and load the drip pan with frozen Orange juice. Get the Smoker to about 235-250 degrees, place turkey over drip pan and squeeze fresh oranges and a little Fresh lime over bird. By then the Brandy is givin me a buzz and I go back to bed. When ever you wake up, go check the smoke, and squeeze on a little more oranges and lime, add o.j. to pan if needed. Keep smokin until 165 degres inside. MMMM good, my mouth is watering <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />.
Happy Thanksgiving to all the Brothers of the Scrap Yard and and I'm thankful for a great place to hang out and the fantastic knives.

I get up usually before 4 and get the smoker started( though I have been up at 2 to start it). I use Mesquite and Pecan. Orange and Grapefruit to start the fire. I use Fresh rosemary and Peppers, along w/ some actual oranges and grapefruits just to add too the brine. Then the bird gets Cavenders(greek seasoning), some Kosher salt, and some celery root salt(Not really salt). the it smokes for about 7 hours. Then it goes into the oven @ 400 for another 2-2 1/2 hours. Then it sits as we Drink for an hour and a half.

Hey Nagol84,I'm in Peoria, might be able to smell that lovely mix from here.Sounds wonderful.