How long to smoke a whole chicken?

[txrdkng]

Title says it all. Have a 5.5 lb chicken I intend to smoke at around 225 degrees. I have read 1 hour/pound, 1.5-2 hours total, all over the board. What do you do?

Thanks

[Tubby]

I smoke a drunk chicken (beer can chicken) 4-6 hours at 225º

[Jaybo31]

I smoke a drunk chicken (beer can chicken) 4-6 hours at 225º

Yuuuup! I usually start checkin temp about 4hrs. 165 in the breast 170+ in the legs and thighs

[txrdkng]

Great, thanks alot. Since this will now wait until tomorrow any special overnight marinades? I usually just dry rub them but if I have the time...

[Boomer57]

4.5-5.5 hrs

[Tubby]

Great, thanks alot. Since this will now wait until tomorrow any special overnight marinades? I usually just dry rub them but if I have the time...

My method:

Build a fire
Rinse yard bird off
Pop open beer
Drink 1/4 to 1/3 of the beer
Rip the hole open larger in the top of the can
Coat the entire chicken in Ragin Blaze and Black Pepper
Peel back the skin a little from the breast (from neck) and season between the skin and meat
Seasoning inside the beer can
Violate the chicken with the beer can
Place on smoker as not to have the freshly violated yard bird to fall over
Sit back 4-6 hours, drink beer, keep an eye on the smoker temp and pitch washers
Enjoy!

[txbassnaholic]

Safest method is using a thermometer and cook until 180 degrees in thickest part of the bird.

[Bily Lovec]

when you can twist the leg and pull the bone out, its done

[jerp]

I pull back the skin and rub the seasonings directly into the meat, then toothpick the skin back in place. I don't see much sense in seasoning the outside when slow smoking because the skin turns to rubber anyway. My favorite way to get a whole chicken (or Cornish hens) ready for the smoker is to brine them overnight. It will make them come out very juicy and flavorful. Just Google "turkey brine recipe"

[spikebuck]

I go between 5 and 6 hours at 225.

[xSquid]

when you can twist the leg and pull the bone out, its done

X2

[txrdkng]

Rubbed it down, let it sit for four hours, smoked it 5 1/2 hours at 225, meat thermometer read 170. Fork tender, juicy...awesome!

[lilavidhunter]

Try adding a spoonful of liquid crab boil to the beer. It is really good.

[Snacks]

X2 on the brine or beer can chicken. Check with and see how loose the leg is after 4.5 hrs

[switchback]

Around 4.5 to 5 hours (average).