I'm doing a duck again. I give it a good 24 hours (or more) uncovered in the fridge. Then only S&P and a 3 hour oven roast flipping it 3 times. Should get a mason jar full of fat in the pan. Duck is so delicious, it really doesn't need much else. Crispy duck skin is some good stuff...Yep yep. Thaw, brine, dry, cook via oven, smoker or grill. Not really a need to dry in fridge if frying it. Mine's going in a sweet tea brine at 3pm today, out at 9am tomorrow morning, in fridge with a couple more flavor tricks and uncovered for 24 hours. Then it hits the pecan smoke at 325° at 9am Thursday.