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Note: I used a Weber 22.5 kettle standing BBQ for this process.
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First you need to determine when you should start the cooking process (see the explanation below on how to do this).
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Preparing the grill:
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To start, put some plastic gloves on and add 25 Match Light with Mesquite briquets on each side of the BBQ inside the charcoal rails.
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Since the Match Light briquets are infused with lighter fluid youll only use them for the initial stage of getting the coals hot.
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The coals added later in the cooking process will just be the regular (non-Match Light) charcoal briquettes.
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Carefully light up the Match Light briquets with a fire starter.
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Let the coals get hot (about 45 minutes).
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Preparing the turkey:
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While the coals are getting hot, drizzle the melted butter over the turkey (in the cavity too).
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Then sprinkle the entire turkey (including the cavity) with the garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
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Cooking the turkey:
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Once the coals are hot (they will turn a gray color), put the disposable pan for the drippings in between the charcoal rails.
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Put the hinged cooking grate in the BBQ.
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Put the turkey on the cooking grate right over the dripping pan.
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Put the lid on the BBQ.
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Every hour, (starting from when the initial coals were added) add 10 regular mesquite coals (not the Match Light coals) to each side of the charcoal rails.
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About 15 minutes after putting the turkey on the grill, take off the lid, open the hinged cooking grates, and add 10 regular mesquite coals to each side.
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Then put the lid back on.
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Then for every hour thereafter, continue to add 10 regular mesquite coals (not the Match Light coals) to each side of the charcoal rails.
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If the turkey is getting too brown on the top before its done cooking, no worries, just put a piece of foil on the top of the turkey.
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Every 1/2 hour or so, use a bulb-type baster to transfer the liquid from the cavity of the turkey, to the top of the turkey.
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This is not required but if you happen to have a citrus tree in your patio or yard, add some of the leaves to the coals during the last hour for some added flavor.
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When the turkey is done cooking, remove it from the grill onto a large platter to let it rest for about 30 minutes before cutting.
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Using sturdy hot mitts, carefully remove the dripping pan from the grill.
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Use these drippings to make your gravy.
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Deciding when to start the cooking process:
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1) First decide when you want to serve the turkey.
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Hold that thought... 2) Then do the math to determine how long it will take to cook the turkey: Cooking time is 11 minutes per pound (without stuffing); (13 minutes per pound with stuffing) 3) Then add 45 minutes for putting the starter coals in the BBQ and for them to get hot.
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4) Then add 30 minutes for the turkey to rest after its cooked.
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5) Add all of the cooking times in numbers 2, 3, and 4 above to determine when to start.
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For example; 1.
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I want to have dinner at 5 pm.
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2.
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My unstuffed 19 pound turkey will take 3.5 hours to cook 19 times 11 minutes = 209 minutes 209 minutes divided by 60 minutes per hour = 3.48 hours Which rounds to 3.5 hours 3.
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Add 45 minutes for putting the coals in the BBQ and for them to get hot.
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4.
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Add 30 minutes for the turkey to rest after its cooked.
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5.
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The total time for the turkey is 4 hours and 45 minutes (3.5 hours, plus 45 minutes, plus 30 minutes).
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Ill need to start my 19 pound unstuffed turkey at 12:15 pm to have it ready for dinner at 5 pm.
