Turkey smoking and thermometer expertise needed

[popmom]

I recently acquired an old but in great shape Brinkmann electric smoker (bullet smoker). I just smoked my first turkey. I actually bought 2 turkeys. This first was the guinea pig turkey. I used 2 different thermometers. I inserted both thermometers in both breast and thigh at different times. I don't feel like I ever got an accurate temp from either. The digital one seems to be accurate--it's reading the current ambient temp on my porch at 68 degrees which is correct. But it never registered above 165 in the turkey thigh. The non digital registered over 200 in the breast. Makes no sense. This 15 pounder smoked at 250 degrees for 10 hours. I really think I over cooked it. I'm letting it rest now, so I haven't sliced into the breast yet. I'm so glad I decided to do a test run. I now understand my mother's frustration! 

How is it so clearly done, but the digital thermometer doesn't read it? If you love your meat thermometer, please give me a recommendation. Or tips on placing the thermometer--maybe that's my problem. I know not to touch bone.

I'm tempted to spatchcock the turkey for the big day. Both are Butterball, so I didn't brine either of them.  

 

[gstharr]

Up until a couple of years ago, I smoked three turkeys at a time in a barrel smoker. My cooking temp was 250 degrees. I had a handful of thermometers-- wide range of variation.  But, generally I  relied on the two or 3 that gave the same temp reading.  I would think that breast temp of 200 is way overdone.  I would test the breast and thigh.  and when either got 162, i would consider it done.  Be sure to  very loosely cover bird after taking out of smoker,  and let it rest for at least 45 minutes (part of the cooking process)   I am cooking in S.Cal., so my coldest day was probably 45 degrees, but even then it took 4-5.5 hours to smoke turkey at 250  One possibility for the wide variance between breast and thigh temp is location of heat source.  If heat source is one side, be sure to rotate bird every 40 minutes or so.    Also, smaller birds, 12-13lbs, smoked better for me.