Every year, for the past 16 years, we’ve deep-fried a turkey for Thanksgiving. It took a near-accident around year 2 for us to realize that there must be a better way than to dangerously heat up 6 gallons of cooking oil on my front porch!
The Char-Broil Big Easy is a revolutionary oil-less infrared turkey fryer that makes cooking juicy, delicious birds easier than ever. By using radiant heat instead of hot oil, you can enjoy all the crispy, golden flavor of a fried turkey without the hassle or danger. However, to get perfect results, you need to understand how long to cook a turkey in the Char-Broil Big Easy.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll provide Big Easy turkey cook times for various weights and share expert tips to guarantee your holiday centerpiece or anytime turkey comes out tender and mouthwatering. Let’s get started!
How the Char-Broil Big Easy Works
But first, a quick look at what makes the Char-Broil Big Easy unique. This infrared cooker uses an internal TRU-infrared cooking system to surround food with intense heat. The turkey sits in a metal basket suspended above the heating element.
There is no temperature dial or control – the Big Easy works at a constant, high heat around 375-450°F. A propane tank fuels the infrared burner to generate radiant heat that penetrates the turkey deeply and evenly. This means no frequent temperature monitoring like when oven roasting.
Average Cook Times Per Pound
When using the Big Easy, the general guideline is to allot about 10-15 minutes per pound to fully cook a turkey. However, a few factors impact total time:
- Turkey size – Bigger birds take longer
- Frozen or thawed – Add extra time for frozen
- Weather conditions – Cooks faster in warmer ambient temps
Here are some estimated cook times based on weight:
- 8 to 12 lbs: 90 to 120 minutes
- 12 to 16 lbs: 120 to 160 minutes
- 16 to 20 lbs: 160 to 200 minutes
- 20 to 24 lbs: 200 to 240 minutes
Always check internal temperature rather than rely solely on cook times. The Big Easy makes cooking turkey so simple, but perfectly smoked results still require vigilance.
5 Tips for Big Easy Turkey Perfection
Use these expert tips for incredibly moist, flavorful Char-Broil Big Easy turkey every time:
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Inject turkey with marinade or brine before smoking for extra juiciness.
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Coat the skin liberally with oil or butter to improve crisping.
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Use a dry rub underneath and on top of the skin for a flavorful crust.
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Check breast and thigh temp periodically with a digital thermometer.
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Let turkey rest 15-20 minutes before slicing to allow juices to settle.
Choosing the Best Turkey Size
The Char-Broil Big Easy can accommodate turkeys up to 25 lbs, but smaller birds around 12-16 lbs tend to cook most evenly. Larger turkeys may require rotating midway for uniform doneness. For gatherings with over 12 guests, cook two smaller birds rather than one huge turkey.
Consider the Char-Broil Big Easy XL for turkeys up to 30 lbs. The extra large design provides additional headroom.
Monitoring Doneness
While the infrared heat of the Big Easy penetrates deep into the turkey, you still need to verify safe internal temperatures
- Breast: 165°F
- Thigh: 175°F
Insert a digital meat thermometer in the thickest part of the breast and thigh, avoiding bone. Check temperatures in multiple areas.
Resting & Carving the Turkey
After cooking in the Big Easy, let the turkey rest 15-20 minutes. This allows juices to redistribute for moister meat. Use a sharp carving knife to slice breast meat across the grain for tenderness. Arrange slices on a platter and pour pan juices over the top.
With the right technique, the Char-Broil Big Easy provides a simple, mess-free method for smoked turkey perfection. Ditch the deep fryer this year and enjoy all the crispy skin and juicy flavor without the oil!
In this Recipe, You’ll Learn:
- Impossibly juicy, never-overcooked turkey with crisp-crackling skin
- Why we use Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Turkey Fryer (by the way, this is NOT a sponsored post)
- PROs and CONs of Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Turkey Fryer
- Why we DON’T recommend brining for deep fried turkey without oil.
Years ago, we purchase the Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Turkey Fryer, and since then, we’ve purchased 2 more. One for my brother’s house and another after we moved to Nevada (we donated our old one to a friend). For $99, it’s the best investment we’ve ever made for a happy, good-eatin’ Thanksgiving with perfect, foolproof turkey.
What is Liquid Smoke?
Liquid smoke is a natural seasoning that makes your food taste like it’s been smoked. Woods, such as hickory or mesquite, are burned. Smoke is collected, condensed, and cooled. Water is added and the liquid smoke is bottled.
Some brands add flavoring and artificial colors, so try to stay away from those. My favorite brand is Wrights Liquid Smoke. There are only 2 ingredients: water and hickory smoke concentrate.
I love this stuff, but only in very small amounts. If you think, “ewww…fake smoke?” Well, it’s made from real smoke, and chances are, if you enjoy bacon, smoked gouda cheese, beef jerky, smoked sausages….you’ve probably had liquid smoke.
Liquid smoke, just a tiny amount, gives the turkey the faintest hint of smokey flavor. This is definitely one of those ingredients that a little goes a long ways.
There’s a right way and wrong way to inject a turkey. Do not just go injection happy like a mad scientist and puncture the turkey all over the place! Do not puncture the turkey skin. Going through the skin will just cause the marinade to leak out onto the skin, which is what you want to avoid.
Instead, go under the skin, and inject the turkey.
Just find spots where you can inject without going through the skin.
After injecting, place the turkey, breast side up, in a large pot. It’s nice and plump, like turkey botox.
Refrigerate 2 hours (up to 24 hours) without covering. If you must cover, just use a sheet of tin foil and tent. This allows the skin to stay dry, which results in crispy skin.
How to Cook Turkey In Char Broil Big Easy Turkey Fryer
FAQ
How long does it take to cook a turkey in a charbroil big easy?
How long does it take to cook a 15 pound turkey in an oilless fryer?
How long does it take to cook a big turkey?
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Turkey Weight
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Servings
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Cooking Time
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10 to 12 lb
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6 to 8
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2 1/4 to 2 3/4 hours
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12 to 14 lb
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8 to 10
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2 3/4 to 3 hours
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15 to 18 lb
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10 to 12
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3 1/4 to 4 hours
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18 to 20 lb
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12 to 14
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4 to 4 1/4 hours
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