From truly novice cooks with questions on thawing to seasoned pros wanting to perfect their carving skills, the experts at the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line are just in time for the holidays this year to assist any type of cook with their turkey-related needs. Last season, the Talk-Line responded to more than 200,000 inquiries. Here are the 10 most commonly asked questions from 1996.

1. WHATS THE BEST WAY TO THAW A TURKEY? (14,417 questions)

Refrigerator thawing is recommended. However, if short on time, submerge the turkey in cold water. Thawing turkey at room temperature allows bacterial growth and is not recommended.

- Refrigerator Thawing:

* Thaw breast side up in its unopened wrapper on a tray in the refrigerator.

* Allow at least one day of thawing for every four pounds of turkey.

- Cold Water Thawing:

* Place breast down in its unopened wrapper in cold water to cover.

* Change the water every 30 minutes to keep surface cold.

* Estimate minimum thawing time to be 30 minutes per pound for whole turkey.

2. HOW DO YOU RECOMMEND HANDLING A TURKEY SO ITS SAFE TO EAT? (12,921 questions)

Follow these food safety guidelines. Refer to specific categories for additional directions.

- Thaw frozen turkey in the refrigerator or cold water.

- Keep thawed or fresh turkey in a refrigerator.

- Prevent juices from dripping onto other foods in the refrigerator by placing wrapped turkey on a tray.

- Thawed turkey may be kept in a refrigerator up to four days before cooking.

- Roast fresh turkey as soon as possible, but no later than the use by date on the package.

- Place raw poultry on non-porous surfaces; these are easy to clean. Avoid wooden cutting boards.

- Use paper towels, not cloth, to dry off turkey and wipe up juices.

- Stuff turkey just before roasting, not the night before.

- Wash hands, work surfaces and utensils touched by raw poultry and its juices with hot, soapy water.

- Use cooking methods that allow the turkey to reach an internal temperature of 140F in less than four hours. Avoid using low roasting temperatures or partial cooking methods.

- Use a meat thermometer to determine turkeys doneness.

- Store turkey, stuffing, gravy, broth and other cooked foods properly within two hours after cooking.

3. WHATS THE BEST WAY TO ROAST A TURKEY? (11,265 questions)

The Butterball Open Pan Roasting Method will consistently create a juicy, tender, golden brown, picture-perfect turkey.

- Place thawed or fresh turkey, breast up, on a flat rack in a shallow pan, 2 to 2-1/2 inches deep.

- Insert oven-safe meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh.

- Brush or rub skin with oil to prevent drying of the skin and to enhance the golden color.

- Place in a preheated 325F oven.

- When the skin is a light golden color and the turkey is about two-thirds done, shield the breast loosely with a tent of lightweight foil to prevent overcooking of the breast.

- Turkey is done when the meat thermometer reaches the following temperatures:

* 180 to 185F deep in the thigh; also, juices should be clear, not pink when thigh muscle is pierced deeply.

* 70 to 175F in the thickest part of the breast, just above the rib bones.

* 160 to 165F in the center of the stuffing, if turkey is stuffed.

- Let turkey stand for 15-20 minutes before carving to allow juices to set.

4. WHERE DOES THE MEAT THERMOMETER GO? (9,220 questions)

- The tip of any meat thermometer should be placed in the thigh muscle just above and beyond the lower part of the thigh bone, but not touching the bone, and pointing toward the body. - If using an oven-safe meat thermometer, insert the thermometer prior to placing the turkey in the oven and leave in while the turkey is roasting. Turn the thermometer so it can be read while the turkey is in the oven.

- If using an instant-read meat thermometer, do not leave the thermometer in the turkey during roasting.

5. HOW CAN LEFTOVER TURKEY BE STORED SAFELY? (8,002 questions)

- Within two hours after roasting, remove stuffing from turkey and carve the meat off the bones, then store in refrigerator or freezer.

- Refrigerator Storage:

* Wrap turkey slices and stuffing separately and use within three days.

- Frozen Storage:

* Wrap in heavy foil, freezer wrap or place in freezer container; for optimum taste, use stuffing within one month and turkey within two months.

6. WHATS THE PROPER WAY TO STUFF A TURKEY? (7,243 questions)

Generations of Americans have been enjoying turkeys -- stuffed and unstuffed. Whether you choose to stuff your turkey or cook stuffing in a casserole dish is a matter of personal preference. As with any preparation involving raw food ingredients, its important to carefully follow proper food safety and handling procedures to ensure a safe turkey every time. For consumers who choose to stuff their turkey, we recommend the following four guidelines.

- Prepare stuffing just before placing in turkey. Use only cooked ingredients in stuffing -- saut vegetables, use only cooked meats and seafood (oysters) and use pasteurized egg products instead of raw eggs. Place prepared stuffing in turkey just before roasting. Do not stuff the turkey the night before roasting.

- Stuff both neck and body cavities of completely thawed turkey, allowing 1/2 to 3/4 cup of stuffing per pound of turkey. Do not pack stuffing tightly in turkey.

- Always use a meat thermometer. The turkey is done when the thigh temperature reaches 180F on a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh next to body, not touching bone. Move the meat thermometer to the center of stuffing; temperature should be 160 to 165F. When the stuffed turkey is done, remove turkey from oven and let turkey with stuffing stand 15 to 20 minutes. This stand time provides an added measure of safety for stuffing temperature to reach 165F.

When the turkey is cooked on an outdoor grill, water smoker or by fast cook methods where the turkey typically gets done faster than the stuffing, it is recommended that the turkey not be stuffed.

7. HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN THE TURKEY IS DONE? (6,875 questions)

- Turkey is done when the meat thermometer reaches the following temperatures:

* 180 to 185F deep in the thigh; also, juices should be clear, not pink when thigh muscle is pierced deeply.

* 170 to 175F in the thickest part of the breast, just above the rib bones.

* 160 to 165F in the center of the stuffing, if turkey is stuffed.

8. WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO TO A TURKEY JUST BEFORE ROASTING IT? (5,635 questions)

- Remove original plastic wrapper from thawed or fresh turkey.

- Remove the neck and giblets from the body and neck cavities.

- Drain juices and blot turkey dry with paper towels.

- Stuff the turkey (optional) just before roasting; ingredients may be prepared earlier, but keep moist and dry ingredients separate and combine just before stuffing.

- Return legs to tucked position, if untucked.

- Insert oven-safe meat thermometer into the deepest part of the thigh.

- Brush with oil to prevent drying of the skin.

- Follow roasting directions that come with every Butterball turkey.

9. SHOULD I BUY A FRESH OR FROZEN TURKEY? (5,372 questions)

- Selecting a fresh or frozen turkey is your choice.

- Fresh turkeys need no thawing and are ready to cook.

- Frozen turkeys can be purchased months in advance, but plan enough thawing time before roasting.

10. IS IT NECESSARY TO BASTE A TURKEY? (3,930 questions)

No.

- Basting throughout the roasting process is unnecessary. Pouring juices over a turkeys surface while it roasts will not make the meat juicier. The liquid penetrates only about 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch beneath the skin and most of the juice will run off into the pan. Opening the oven door periodically to baste a turkey can cool the oven and possibly lengthen the roasting time.

- Before roasting, lightly coat the turkeys skin with oil, shortening or vegetable cooking spray to prevent the skin from drying.