What Temperature Does a Turkey Stall at When Smoking? Tips to Overcome It

Learn about the turkey temperature stall between 150°F and 160°F during smoking and how to manage it for perfectly smoked turkey.

1,200 views

When smoking a turkey, the temperature stall typically occurs between 150°F and 160°F. This is a common phase during which the turkey’s internal temperature plateaus and stops rising for a period, making patience a key ingredient in smoking. To navigate this, maintain a consistent smoker temperature and consider wrapping the turkey in foil to push through the stall.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What is the turkey stall when smoking? The turkey stall is a phase during smoking when the internal temperature of the turkey plateaus, typically between 150°F and 160°F, causing the temperature to stop rising temporarily.
  2. How can I get through the turkey stall when smoking? To get through the turkey stall, maintain a consistent smoker temperature and consider wrapping the turkey in foil, which helps push the temperature past the stall more quickly.
  3. Why does the temperature stall when smoking turkey? The temperature stall happens because moisture evaporates from the turkey's surface, cooling it down and balancing the heat, which causes the internal temperature to plateau temporarily.