If you have never tasted a deep fried turkey, then you are definitely missing out. A turkey prepared in this fashion is moist, crispy, and delicious. It is bound to be a favorite among all of your family and friends. A deep turkey fryer works in the same fashion as a standard deep fryer does, but in this case it is much larger and is designed to accommodate the size of a turkey. The benefit of using a deep fryer compared to a conventional cooking method is that all of the juices of the turkey stay within it, while the outer skin develops a very crispy texture. If done properly, there is no chance of drying out your turkey.

Deep Turkey Fryer Design:

No matter what type of turkey deep fryer you decide to purchase, they will all share a few common design features. The primary pieces of a turkey fryer kit consist of a burner, pot, lid, some sort of basket or turkey holder, a turkey lifter and a thermometer. The burner is fueled by a standard propane tank, the same kind that you would use to heat a propane grill which provides even and efficient heat throughout the entire cooking process. If you purchase a more expensive frying unit, you should expect to receive a stainless steel pot, with a stainless steel burner. Some lower priced models will come with an aluminum pot and burner.

(The only thing that you will need to purchase separately will be the propane tank)

Deep Turkey Fryer Safety:

• Although deep frying a turkey helps contribute to a delicious meal, there are some safety precautions that should be taken into consideration when preparing one in this way. This process can sometimes be dangerous because you are cooking with oil over an open flame, and an oil fire can burn very hot while also being very difficult to extinguish.
• Safety Tips:
• Always use your turkey deep fryer outdoors. You never want to use one near any flammable materials and should avoid using it on a wooden deck or under any sort of roof. The best spot is in a patch of grass or dirt in your lawn a sufficient distance from your home.
• To avoid further complications if an oil fire does ignite, the propane tank should be positioned as far away from the unit as possible.
• Always have someone watching over the cooker. You can take turns doing this, but it is important to always have a set of responsible eyes on it during the cooking process to ensure everything is under control.
• One of the most important things to remember is that your turkey MUST BE THAWED before you place it in the oil. If there is any sort of ice on the turkey it will cause the oil to boil over, and a fire could ignite. This is the same concept as never attempting to put out a grease fire with water. The water will quickly turn to steam, causing the fire to expand and spread. The best practice is to have your turkey thawed and at room temperature before it is placed in the oil.
• Never overfill your deep fryer’s pot with oil. This can result in the oil going over the sides of the pot and hitting the burner’s flame when the turkey is placed in it. The way to avoid this is to plan for exactly how much oil you are going to need for the cooking process. Place your turkey in the pot while it is empty, and fill it with water until the water just covers the top of the turkey. Now you can measure the water, and see exactly how much oil you will need.
• The oil should not smoke during the cooking process. Use the thermometer included with your kit to ensure the oil remains at a constant temperature of around 350 Degrees Fahrenheit.
• When working with hot oil, it is always a good idea to wear clothing that covers your arms and legs. (Gloves are also not a bad idea to use)
• Always have a fire extinguisher nearby just in case a fire does ignite.
• Lastly, it is important to mention that these precautions are not meant to scare you, but they are meant to remind you to be careful during the deep fry process. If you take your time, and pay attention to what you are doing, you will have one of the best tasting turkeys you’ve even had sitting on your dining room table.

Deep Fried Turkey Preparation:

Cooking Time: 4 Minutes per pound

Example: A 15 pound turkey will take about one hour to deep fry.

Oil Selection: You need to use oil that has a high smoke point. Oils such as canola and peanut oil can be heated to a relatively high temperature before they begin to burn making them the perfect candidate to use when deep frying a turkey.

You can feel free to add a spice rub to the turkey to give it added flavor, but a light rubbing of just salt and pepper works just as nice.

One last thing to remember is that you DO NOT STUFF a turkey that is going to be deep fried. I know stuffing is often times everyone’s favorite side dish though, so you’ll have to make that separately to keep all your guests happy.

Related Product Reviews:

Bayou Classic Turkey Deep Fryer Review

Masterbuilt Turkey Deep Fryer Review

Brinkman Turkey Deep Fryer Review