Outdoor Grills, Ovens and Stoves for Cooking Turkey by Niall Barco
There are a lot of ways to cook turkey. One of the cooking processes is known as grilling. Grilling is becoming the most popular methods of cooking turkey and one of the healthiest as well. The grilling process allows fat to drip away from the turkey as it cooks, keeping the meat nutritious and full of flavor.
Aside from that, turkey has numerous ways and methods to be cooked, utilizing different cooking equipment such as the oven and the ever popular microwave. Here we offer you different methods that can be used for cooking turkey.
Here are some varieties of grills available in the market, as well as the basic instructions to properly use them..
Covered Charcoal Grill
First, you must have well prepared and clean equipment for this and good quality charcoal. Put up a pyramid of charcoal on one side. Set fire to the charcoal until it gets red hot. Place a thermometer on the food rack to check the temperature of the grill. This will give the cook an exact reading of the meat's temperature when cooking.
In the center of the grill where the turkey will be placed, carefully arrange the charcoal around the edge evenly. Place the grill rack and set the prepared turkey on it. The turkey's breast should be side-up. Simply maintain its temperature. Then cover the grill. If you want, you can add seasonings for the turkey to have flavor as it is cooking. Do not ever use softwood like cedar and pine because it gives the food a different taste and makes the turkey's skin turn black.
When the inner thigh temperature reads 180 degree Fahrenheit, the turkey is ready. That is why it is very important to use a food thermometer.
Covered gas Grill
The gas grill can be provided by using either propane tanks or natural gas. If your gas grill has only one burner, a water pan should be placed under the grate to create indirect heat. If you have two or three burners, make sure the turkey is placed away from the flame. This is done by turning off one burner and placing the turkey in that area.
Aside from grilling, you can also roast turkey by using the oven.
Turkey can be successfully cooked in whole or in parts using the microwave oven. But sometimes it is not advisable to cook it whole because it makes the turkey cook unevenly. The turkey may not be cooked to the proper internal temperature. Full size microwave ovens with 650 to 700 watts can only accommodate a small turkey ranging 8 to 10 pounds. Given that metal thermometers cannot be used here, merely check when the cooking is completed. Insert an instant read thermometer on different parts of the turkey.
Electric Roaster Oven
This appliance serves as an extra oven for cooking a large roast.
Heat the oven first to about 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Then place the turkey on a oven rack or any other meat rack for the turkey to be kept out the juices that collect in the bottom of the oven. Leave the cover throughout cooking, removing it as little as possible to avoid the slowing of the cooking process. Check the internal temperature of the inner thigh until it reaches to 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
Oven cooking bag method
This is one of the safest methods in roasting turkey. It is a delicious alternative to the traditional way of cooking turkey.
Pre-heat the oven using an oven-cooking bag to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. A tablespoon of dry flour should be shaken around to coat the empty bag to avoid bursting. The pan must be large enough for the turkey to sit easily in the center. Allocate space for the bag to enlarge during cooking so that it will not touch any part of the oven or it will melt.
A meat thermometer is inserted right through the thickest part of the plastic to know if the temperature of the turkey's thigh reaches 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
Any of these methods of cooking your turkey will result in a delicious meal.
About the Author
Niall Barco has been learning about turkey hunting for five years. Turkey-Hunting.info offers news, information, tips and views about turkey grills and ovens.