Thanksgiving trip & turkey-in-a-bucket

[funkill]

Somehow I managed to convince my entire family to come camping with me on Thanksgiving. It was such a good time - and a bit less stressful than the traditional dinners that we have. Of course, if everyone would have just realized that it is difficult to still prepare and serve the same amount of food, the better it would have been ....

Anyway, I made my first Turkey-in-a-Bucket. They said it wouldn't work. There were those who thought that the steel drum would put out toxic fumes, those that thought it would be undercooked, and others who thought it would be a total PITA. Haha - it was GREAT! I got a 20 gal steel drum from an olde-tyme hardware store (they removed the lid) and, because it was painted, we *seasoned* it on the campfire for hours the night before. No one got sick or noticed any fumes I brined a 12lb bird overnight, stuck him on a stainless rod (contributed by my dad), filled the cavity with apples and some spices and of course, included a beer can filled with Amberbock (not Miller Chill), put the drum on top with 20 lbs ashed charcoal. One hour, twenty minutes later, a beautiful and moist bird!!! I'm gonna do this every year.

Now I need to find a way to keep the steel drum from rusting --- any ideas?

Set up --- before arrival of the masses


charcoal removed from top and from around base


here she is - like?

[wheel interested]

That was a neat get-together for Thanksgiving. Your turkey looks beautiful and the apples and spices sound good too. Looks like you had wonderful weather too. Did you eat outside or inside?

[Janet H]

Very cool idea! To manage the rust try this:

Put cheap cooking oil in a small bucket/can and use an old paint brush to paint the interior with oil. Wash it off with soap and water next year before use. Be careful with cooking sprays however - they have all kinds of other stuff added to help with non-stick baking that may not age gracefully.

[funkill]

Originally Posted by wheel interested

That was a neat get-together for Thanksgiving. Your turkey looks beautiful and the apples and spices sound good too. Looks like you had wonderful weather too. Did you eat outside or inside?

There ended up being about 18 of us - though only 7 of us camped in two trailers and a tent. The rest of the folks live close and came over (with food) for the day. We ate outside --- think it was about 70 degrees and sunny.

[funkill]

Originally Posted by Janet

Very cool idea! To manage the rust try this:

Put cheap cooking oil in a small bucket/can and use an old paint brush to paint the interior with oil. Wash it off with soap and water next year before use. Be careful with cooking sprays however - they have all kinds of other stuff added to help with non-stick baking that may not age gracefully.

Oh thanks Janet --- I'll try the cooking oil --- sounds easy enough!

[ibgl6]

I always want to go camping for the holidays but cant seem to talk others into it it was nice up here in North West Fl. but a little cool in the 50's.....SAM