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Deep Frying a Turkey can really make for a great Thanksgiving dinner. The ill prepared cook can also be a recipe for disaster. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
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.
