Proponents of deep fried turkey claim that this cooking method produces a very flavorful, moist turkey. However, not all people know that deep frying a turkey can be very dangerous.
Deep Frying a Turkey: Is It Worth the Risk?
Underwriters Laboratories, a product safety certification organization, warns against several dangers to using turkey deep fryers.
- Turkey fryers tip over easily, causing dangerous spills of super hot cooking oil.
- Some users overfill the fryer with oil, which may cause oil to spill when the turkey is placed in the fryer. This may lead to a dangerous fire or severe burns.
- Partially frozen turkeys may cause spillover and result in fire as well.
- Combustion may occur if the oil overheats.
- The pot, lids, and handles become extremely hot, posing a burn hazard.
Only the person cooking the turkey can decide if the risks above are worth the reward. As long as turkey fryers are available for purchase, however, many individuals will choose to assume that risk.
How to Stay Safe While Cooking a Turkey in a Deep Fryer
Individuals can take precautionary measures to stay safe while deep frying a turkey. Here are six personal safety tips to keep in mind to make cooking a turkey this way somewhat safer:
- Carefully read all cooking and safety instructions that accompany the turkey fryer. Make sure to keep oil below the maximum fill line, and don’t overheat the oil. Many turkey deep fryers don’t have a built-in thermostat, so an accurate thermometer is essential.
- To guard against a turned over deep fryer, make sure it has a stable base.
- Before cooking a turkey, make sure it is completely thawed. Wipe off any excess moisture before lowering the turkey into the oil to avoid unnecessary oil splatters caused when water contacts oil. To this end, also make sure to be careful with marinades. Some deep fried turkey recipes call for injectable marinades, but the marinade solution might serve as unnecessary liquid that will cause the oil to spatter.
- Lower the raw turkey very slowly into the hot oil. For added safety, recruit a second person to assist.
- Do not attempt to touch the turkey deep fryer with bare hands; use potholders at all times.
- Do not use the turkey deep fryer indoors. Set it up outdoors (not in a garage) and away from wooden structures like decks.
In addition to the above safety tips, individuals should keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of fire and make sure to set up the turkey deep fryer on a flat surface.
Children and pets should never be allowed to go near the turkey deep fryer during or after the turkey cooking process. The oil in the deep fryer will remain very hot for hours after the cooker has been turned off, so it’s best to keep children and pets away until the oil has been discarded completely.
Resources:
Underwriters Laboratories website
City of Phoenix, AZ website
Lena Gott - Lena Gott is a Certified Public Accountant who gives practical financial advice to her readers.
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