I have mine in the smoker with a mix of about 85% apple wood and a few chunks of hickory. We have a light mist in the air which may complicate the cook. 

 

 

Brine it or buy a pre-brined bird. Spatchcocked it, threw it on a bed of broth and pearl onions, carrots, potatoes, celery, etc, oven 450 for 1 hour, 350 the rest of the way home. Definitely yields a nice moist bird most of the time, and the familys always go crazy about it because they've only ever had shitty turkey in their life. 

1 hour ago, South Sider said:

Brine it or buy a pre-brined bird. Spatchcocked it, threw it on a bed of broth and pearl onions, carrots, potatoes, celery, etc, oven 450 for 1 hour, 350 the rest of the way home. Definitely yields a nice moist bird most of the time, and the familys always go crazy about it because they've only ever had shitty turkey in their life. 

That sounds good. I didn’t cook turkey - switched to prime steaks two on thanksgiving two years ago and have never looked back. Turkey is overrated lol. 

Turkey sucks but I smoked one and cooked one in a convection oven.  When the plastic thing popped I took them off.  Left covered for an hour then carved.  Both we delicious.

One was done an hour sooner than I thought and the other 20 minutes but all went well.

Sides are pretty easy as well.  Nice feast for 18.

 

I am better at flipping the bird.