1. Brine chicken legs for 24 hours using this method.
  2. Get the smoker started, around 90c (194f) with 1 piece of smoking wood. Pecan is a good allrounder.
  3. Dry chicken drumsticks and coat with your rub of choice.
  4. Once the smoking wood has had about 20-30 mins for the initial white smoke burn off its time to add the chicken legs.
  5. Slowly raise the temperature until you get to 180c (356f).
  6. Cook the drumsticks until the internal temperature hits 88c (190f) or more.
  7. This may take between 60 and 90 mins depending on how long it takes you to get the smoker up to 180c (356f).

NOTES:

  • The light brine for 24 hours keeps the chicken moist and allows the legs to be cooked under smoking conditions.
  • The 88c (190f) internal temperature is the point that most of the connective tissue has broken down leaving the chicken to nearly fall off the bone.