By Wendell Brown
And for yet a different variant (we did it the weekend before Thanksgiving for our "Introduction to Outdoor Leader" course (I could probably post pictures, our DE took some).
Equipment
 | 1 - 20 Gallon trash can (some people say not to use galvanized - but certainly try to avoid plastic) ;) |
| 1 - Dutch Oven |
| 1 - Turkey Stand (the kind you use in a fryer to get the turkey to "stand up" work well - I found mine at Bass Pro) |
| 30 Pounds of Charcoal |
| 1 - 15-20 pound Turkey |
| 1 - Roll of Aluminum foil |
| 1 - Pair of thermal gloves (like you use in a fire place) |
| 1 - Small ash shovel |
Instructions
| Prepare the turkey - clean and season |
| Lay aluminum foil down on the ground (I make mine about twice the size of the can). It works better if you have a layer of sand on the ground (under the aluminum foil) so the rim of the trash can can make an impression in the sand for a better seal. |
| Set the dutch oven upside down on the aluminum foil (without a lid) - this is a spacer to keep the turkey away from the ground. You can also use 4 tent stakes and a round wire rack. |
| Set the turkey stand on the dutch oven (or center of the wire rack). |
| Place the turkey on the stand. |
| Turn the trash can upside down over the turkey (try to center the turkey inside the can). |
| Put as much charcoal as you can on TOP of the trash can. |
| Put the remainder of the 30 pounds around the trash can. |
| Let cook for 1:15 - 1:30 (either work, I usually go for the extra 15 minutes) |
| Use the ash shovel to remove the coals off the top of the can and push them back from the bottom of the can. |
| Use the gloves to pick up the trash can. |
| Use the trash can lid as the serving plate - simply push the turkey over on to it. |
Your done!!!
Now, let me add that it works real well to also put a small aluminum foil boat between the dutch oven and the side of the trash can filled with a full bottle of Liquid Smoke - it increases the humidity in side the can and it adds smoked flavor to the turkey.
Another Note: We use 30 pounds of Match Light charcoal - we put the unlit charcoal on the can and light it up (30 pounds of Match Light makes an impressive fire!). If you don't have a good seal on the can this can let a little of the starter fumes inside the can. I couldn't smell or taste it, but one of the guys said that he could smell it.
As Joel Korczynski states.... "I can't take credit for it". ;)
I pulled a rough outline of these instructions off of Scouts-L about 5-6 years ago and
have just been modifying and playing with it each time I try it.
--Wendell Brown
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