Trash can Turkey

[RonT]

Ok Crosseye, a little late but here ya' go.....
This is a good huntin' camp method, but works well at home.
- Get one 30 gal. galvanized trash can.
- Burn it out with leaves, small sticks, etc. to season the interior. (Zink Oxide!)
- get one 20 - 24# bag of charcoal.
- The Bird. A 10 to 12 # bird (Butterball)will take 2 1/2 hours from the time you start the charcoal.  I did a 21# wild bird last year and it took 3 1/2 hours.
- Season as desired.  I use "squirt" butter and Lowery's.
- You can put the bird upright on a vertical spit, but I use a grill form my Weber grill setting on two bricks.
- Lay tinfoil on the ground to shield the dirt and debris.
- Place the bird on the tinfoil(elevated).
- Put the trash can over the bird. (upside down)
- Place the charcoal evenly around the trash can.  In ~30* weather you might want to put 10-12 bricquets on the top (bottom).
- I usually start the charcoal with hot coals from a previous fire. (no starter fluids)
- Go huntin, card playin', spit and argue, whatever, for 2 1/2 hours.
- Remove can and referee fistfights over the "crispy" parts and skin....:^).
Good luck, and good eatin'
RonT

[Walkingstick]

I can attest to how good this method is as I have had the pleasure of consuming two of Ron's turkeys done  by this method. They have been done at hunting camp in Ohio.....Mac~

[crosseye]

thanks, ron!

this not only sounds great, but "trash can turkey" just sounds like my dad's culinary style!

we'll try it!

crosseye

[countrygirl]

That sounds great and easy too!  Dina

[RonT]

You're welcome.  BTW, we have also done some other critters the same way with great results.  
RonT

[Jake]

If the can is upside down do you put the coals around the top of the can on the ground or on the bottom which is sticking up in the air?  Do you have any pics?  Sounds good!  Thanx.

[RonT]

Skyhook, the charcoal is evenly distributed around the open end which is on the ground since the can is upside down.  I only put coals on the top (bottom)of the can, which is now up,in cold weather.  Nope, no pics.
RonT

[T-Bell]

Hey Ron,
We call that a poor-mans cajun microwave down here in south louisiana.      Can do a small pig in it with equal success  :D  

I had forgotten about this method  - Thanks for the post - T-Bell

[bayoulongbowman]

Ron T , I have done something simular ,but we also use the Cajun Injector ,works great,on fried turkeys too!!! You sure you aint part cajun??LOL...sounds great!! #78 Mark

[RonT]

T-Bell, heard similar, "Redneck convection oven".  Am courious 'bout the pig thing, approx. how long to cook?  
Mark, nope, but I played one on TV, bahahahaha.  Thanks for the complement....I think...:^).  
Am doing my Spring bird this weekend, 20#, prolly 3 hrs. to cook, we'll see.
RonT

[neuse]

I would like to try this for xmas, not sure if I understand. I have a 30 gal. barrell to use. Turkey goes inside barrel, open end of barrel goes to the ground, then charcoal is arranged around outside of perimiter?
Heat from charcoal radiates into barrel to cook turkey?
Is this the idea?

[IB]

Back through again      

[Al Dente]

And if it's cold, put a few coals on top as well.