from the usda web site
Turkey Basics: Safe Thawing "The Big Thaw"
Turkeys must be kept at a safe temperature during "the big thaw." While frozen, a turkey is safe indefinitely. However, as soon as it begins to thaw, any bacteria that may have been present before freezing can begin to grow again.
A package of frozen meat or poultry left thawing on the counter more than 2 hours is not at a safe temperature. Even though the center of the package may still be frozen, the outer layer of the food is in the "Danger Zone" between 40 and 140 °F - at a temperature where foodborne bacteria multiply rapidly.
There are three safe ways to thaw food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in the microwave oven.
Safe Methods for Thawing
Immediately after grocery store checkout, take the frozen turkey home and store it in the freezer.
Frozen turkeys should not be left on the back porch, in the car trunk, in the basement, or any place else where temperatures cannot be constantly monitored.
Refrigerator Thawing
When thawing a turkey in the refrigerator: * Plan ahead: allow approximately 24 hours for each 4 to 5 pounds in a refrigerator set at 40 °F or below. * Place the turkey in a container to prevent the juices from dripping on other foods.
Refrigerator Thawing Times
Whole turkey: * 4 to 12 pounds …… 1 to 3 days * 12 to 16 pounds …… 3 to 4 days * 16 to 20 pounds …… 4 to 5 days * 20 to 24 pounds …… 5 to 6 days
A thawed turkey can remain in the refrigerator for 1 or 2 days before cooking. Foods thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen without cooking but there may be some loss of quality.
Cold Water Thawing
Allow about 30 minutes per pound.
First be sure the turkey is in a leak-proof plastic bag to prevent cross-contamination and to prevent the turkey from absorbing water, resulting in a watery product.
Submerge the wrapped turkey in cold tap water. Change the water every 30 minutes until the turkey is thawed. Cook the turkey immediately after it is thawed.
Cold Water Thawing Times * 4 to 12 pounds …… 2 to 6 hours * 12 to 16 pounds …… 6 to 8 hours * 16 to 20 pounds …… 8 to 10 hours * 20 to 24 pounds …… 10 to 12 hours
A turkey thawed by the cold water method should be cooked immediately. After cooking, meat from the turkey can be refrozen.
Microwave Thawing
Follow the microwave oven manufacturer's instruction when defrosting a turkey. Plan to cook it immediately after thawing because some areas of the food may become warm and begin to cook during microwaving. Holding partially cooked food is not recommended because any bacteria present wouldn't have been destroyed.
A turkey thawed in the microwave must be cooked immediately.
For a 17 lb Turkey:
Figure one day of thawing in the fridge for each 4-5 pounds of turkey. So it should take a 17lb bird about 3.5 to 4 days to thaw.
-it should take about 8 or more hrs
One day for five pounds of turkey, so just over three days.
'''''it should take about 8 or more hrs.'''''
5 days
4
It takes about an hour to deep fry an 18 lb turkey!!
Water thawing is faster than refrigerator thawing, but requires more attention. Turkey thawed by the cold water method should be cooked before refreezing. The turkey should be in leak-proof packaging or a plastic bag. Submerge the turkey in cold tap water and change the water every half an hour. Calculate 30 minutes per pound. For an 8-12 lb. turkey allow 4 to 6 hours of thawing time in cold water; for a 12-16 lb. turkey: 6 to 8 hours; for a 16-20 lb. turkey: 8 to 10 hours.After thawing, cook the turkey immediately.
A 26 lb. turkey should be smoked for at least 4 hours. A 26 pound turkey should feed approximately 26 people.
20mins per lb and an extra 20mins at end
1hr. 40min.
3 to 4 hours.
4hr and 45min at 350 degrees
You can cook an 8 lb. turkey breast in a Nesco roaster for a couple of hours. The exact time depends on the temperature.
Im saying 76 mins for 25lb turkey
An 11 pound turkey should be cooked for about 3 hours. The turkey can roast in the oven at 325 degrees.
For a 21 lb. turkey it would take 5 and 1/4 hours. That is at 15 mins. per pound, which is the usual cooking instructions for a turkey.
6 hrs