We Are Begging You Not To Deep Fry Your Turkey This Year

Popular as deep frying a turkey may be, we're ask you to reconsider the cooking technique this year. This request isn't coming from a dislike of fried turkey, but from a love of safety. When deep frying a turkey, there are risks of overfilling the fryer and overheating or spilling the oil. There may even be danger in the turkey itself. If it is partially frozen when dropped into the fryer it can all too easily cause the very hot cooking oil to spill over. Even a small amount of oil can cause a serious fire, especially if the oil reaches the burner. It may not be the first issue you think of when prepper for Thanksgiving, but a fryer fire is still certainly a mistake to avoid when hosting a Thanksgiving dinner.

There is further risk that comes with the cooking apparatus itself. Because many deep fryers do not have precise thermostat controls, you stand a higher change of overheating the oil, especially if the fryer is left unattended. While there is a risk of the oil getting so hot it can combust, there is also a risk of that cooking pot itself — including its lid and handles — becomes so hot to the touch that you could burn yourself that way. For many, the pursuit of a juicy, fried turkey is not worth the risk of fires and bodily injuries such as burns.

Just as you prepare your Thanksgiving turkey with careful consideration of which brine you will use, there are precautions you should take if you want to safely deep fry your turkey. Firstly, please have an all-purpose fire extinguisher at hand. This safety tool is the perfect way to practice the "better safe than sorry" mantra. To avoid burning yourself on a hot surface, insulated pot holders and oven mitts are a must-have. Additionally, long sleeves and safety goggles are a wise choice for protection against hot oil splatter. And if a fire does break out, never, ever use water on a oil or grease fire, as doing so can make it flare up suddenly and dramatically.

Even if it is chilly, it is safest to tough it out and use your fryer outdoors. Likewise, avoid using your fryer on a wooden deck or under a patio cover even if it is the only shaded level surface available. Enclosed spaces like garages are also a no-go for frying locations.

When it comes time to fry your turkey, avoid overfilling your fryer; many safety hazards are incited by an overfilled turkey fryer. For maximum safety, ensure your turkey has thawed completely (it helps to be familiar with how long it actually takes to thaw a turkey). The oil will still take hours to cool down after the turkey is cooked, so ensure children and pets maintain a safe distance during and after the process. Last, but certainly not least, call 911 immediately if a fryer fire starts.