With its dark, crispy outside and juicy, flavorful inside, deep-fried turkey has quickly become a Thanksgiving favorite. Deep-frying a turkey can be dangerous, though, and the process causes numerous fires each year. Make safety your priority when deep-frying turkey and follow these eight tips.
Choose the Right Location
Set your deep fryer on level ground far away from the house, garage and shed. Do not put it on a wooden deck, near a woodpile or under a tree. The middle of a flat driveway away from cars is a good location.
Thaw the Turkey Completely in Advance
Water and oil do not mix. Make sure your turkey is completely thawed before you bring it anywhere near the fryer. Otherwise, when the ice hits the hot oil, it could cause the oil to rapidly boil over, causing a large and quick-spreading fire.
Keep a Fire Extinguisher Handy
Because of the potential for fire, you will want to have a fire extinguisher within arm’s reach at all times. Fires can start and spread quickly, and you will not have time to run inside to retrieve one.
Do Not Overfill the Oil
A good way to know how much oil you will need is to place the turkey in a cold and empty fryer, then fill the fryer with water. Remove the turkey and note the water line. The oil should be filled no higher than that line to ensure that it does not spill over when you add the turkey.
Place the Turkey in the Oil Slowly
Be careful handling the turkey, which will likely be slippery. If you slip and accidentally drop the turkey in the oil too quickly, the oil could overflow or splash, burning you and creating greater potential for fire. Lower the bird in slowly and gently.
Wear Safety Gear
Hot oil has a tendency to splatter, causing burns, blisters and ruined clothing. Make sure you wear goggles, gloves and an apron, and do not stand closer to the fryer than you need to.
Use a Thermometer
A thermometer is a great tool to use throughout the entire cooking process. Make sure the oil is hot enough before you begin, but watch that it does not become too hot. Cook the turkey only until it reaches the correct temperature then remove it and turn off the fryer immediately.
Never Leave the Fryer Unattended
Under no circumstances should you ever leave the fryer unattended. Bring everything you need outside before you begin cooking, and ask someone else to retrieve anything you forgot. Fires can start in an instant and you will need to be there to act quickly.
Post Author: andyc.
