Use Water Pan for Smoking Turkey?

If your smoker has no heat control and just a constant element, it won't do fine, or it will do fine if you don't mind eating at midnight. When I used my electric smoker, damp towels and a moving blanket drapped on the smoker made a huge difference and allowed it to come up to heat. As for water vs. something else in the pan, I generally use some of my brine. I don't think the water pan liquid really imparts much flavor but is more psychological. Brine your bird first with lots of herbs, salt and sugar and it will have all the flavor needed.