Turkey in a Trash Can and Other Tales of Fun

This weekend our Good Sam's camping club (Freedom Travelers) came out to our campground for the weekend.  It was our last camp out for the season.  It was a very special occasion and an opportunity  for us to say good bye to all our friends.  We have been a part of this club for about five years and have made many friends.  One of the highlights of this November camp out is to serve Turkey in a Trash Can.  It's definitely a crowd pleaser and lots of fun.  Detailed below are the step by step directions.  Be adventurous and try one this holiday season. 

Turkey In a Trash Can

You will need the following:

• 20 pound turkey (should not be a self basting turkey ..like Butterball)
• 20 pounds of charcoal
• New metal trash can
• Bundt pan
• Foil
• Charcoal chimney
• Thick work gloves
• Small shovel
• Large metal or wood stake. (You will want a long enough stake to suspend the turkey. The turkey should not touch the ground or the top of the can)
• Timer
• Camera
• Lawn chairs
• Beverages

Pre-burn the inside of your trash can before using. It might be helpful to do this prior to the event. This is done to remove the galvanized paint from the inside of the can. Wash it out completely. We keep this trash can and use it each year.

Wash turkey and remove giblets. Salt and pepper to taste. Pre-start some charcoal in a charcoal chimney (or you can pre-start some on a large square of foil)

Place foil on the ground to extend past the trash can. Put Bundt pan in the middle (this is used to collect juices from the turkey). Put stake through the hole in the Bundt pan and drive into the ground. Cover the stake with foil.

Suspend bird on stake. It is quite a sight!

Place can over the bird and put some of the "hot" charcoal on the top and around the sides of trash can. Pour the rest of the charcoal on top and around the sides.

When the charcoal appears to be going well, start your timer. Relax in your lawn chairs and enjoy your beverage for exactly 1 1/2 hours. Do not peek or lift the can off. Beware...the can gets very, very hot!

After 1 1/2 hours remove the charcoal and carefully remove the trash can (use the thick work gloves)

Enjoy! The turkey will be very dark brown and crispy. Inside it will be moist and delicious. Our turkey got a little burnt at the top.  It was due to the stake being too high.  It still tasted so delicious, but better measurement would be recommended.

We had a great pitch in dinner with all our friends.  Over 35 people were able to attend. We have some great cooks in our club. Everything was so delicious!

We are very thankful for all our friends. This special occasion was a great time to celebrate this friendship and count our many blessings.

 

Saying good bye to everyone was difficult.  We plan to return to Indiana in about two years.  In the meantime we hope everyone keeps in touch, or better yet comes to visit with us.  I put together another scrapbook (Smilebox) for our club.  Click on the play button below. 

This free scrapbooking design made with Smilebox