Right way to clean a turkey

[rhino .695]

I have read and seen alot of videos on turkey cleaning ,was just wondering if anyone had some special tip.This will be my first time cleaning a turkey and i plan on plucking it and saving the skin.I have heard about parfin wax to get all the pin feathers out.Any help would be greatly appreciated.

                                                                                                                                                         Thanks Erv

[bushwhacker]

The peckerwoods are hard to pluck. I always skin mine, it's a lot easier. But if you are dead set on plucking him I would get a big pot of water boiling and then douse him in that. That will loosen the feathers. My grandpa does this when he's butchering chickens. He always scalds them then plucks them.

[willy8457]

I always skin mine now, But have plucked alot of turkeys in my younger days. Don't know what tempature to tell you, but if you scold them in to hot of water the skin comes off anyways. It's just easier to breast them , and I always take the legs and thighs and make soup. there is not much left after that.

[Ded Goblr]

If you are going to pick the bird, dipping in 140 degree water for 50 to 75 seconds. Cut the wing tips first do not gut until after dipping and picking.

[BowBendr]

^^  Great post Treerooster. 

[Xcal1ber]

I always just breast mine out now a days. Take the legs for pulled turkey sandwiches. Much easier and not much waste at all. I do agree that I have to miss out on the deep fried and whole roasted turkey, but I can live without it. As long as I have my fried turkey strips, I'm good.

[land cruiser]

I plucked mine once. Skin them ever since:) Most of my birds end up as burger patties, why bother?

[troutfisher13111]

It's just easier to breast them , and I always take the legs and thighs and make soup. there is not much left after that.

Same here

[Bob]

I can't improve on treerooster's post.  I pluck mine in the field.  Breasting is easier but roasted or deep fried turkey is worth the effort.

[tomstopper]

It's just easier to breast them , and I always take the legs and thighs and make soup. there is not much left after that.

Same here

If you really are determined to pluck your bird here is an idea (if you have the time or money) besides the traditional way. I have a friend who him & his family go on guided duck hunts (out of state) & says that where they stay this is how the ducks are plucked. Very fast but not worth it to me. Just cool to watch......

http://youtu.be/0pBuUvaSBM8

[Byhalia]

It's just easier to breast them , and I always take the legs and thighs and make soup. there is not much left after that.

Sweeet !   

Same here

If you really are determined to pluck your bird here is an idea (if you have the time or money) besides the traditional way. I have a friend who him & his family go on guided duck hunts (out of state) & says that where they stay this is how the ducks are plucked. Very fast but not worth it to me. Just cool to watch......

http://youtu.be/0pBuUvaSBM8

[firstflight111]

and if you pull from tail to head makes it easier too .not a big fan i just skin them out cover in bacon cook 

[outdoors]

^^  Great post Treerooster. 

[SCGobbler]

I plucked mine once. Skin them ever since:) Most of my birds end up as burger patties, why bother?

HAHAHA!  Same Here!  Once was enough, now I breast them out save the wings/legs to make spacers for my beard display