Using a roasting rack while smoking a turkey is not a necessary item. However, I do highly recommend it The inexpensive item can be a real "meal saver"... pun intended. The roasting rack makes it easy to transport the cooked bird from the smoker to a carving board or platter. Smoking tends to result in meat that can fall right off the bone - that would be a shame to use tongs and watch your bird fall to the ground!