I can smell the turkey cooking now! It’s not too long till Thanksgiving. The sweet cranberry sauce is on the table while the dinner rolls are in the oven and the turkey is in the fryer.
Everything is going smoothly, everyone is enjoying themselves, and dinner is almost ready. The last thing you think about is something catching on fire.
Did you know that when you fry food, you increase the chances of a cooking fire? The U.S. Fire Administration says that Thanksgiving is the peak day for cooking fires. But don’t be a part of that statement.
Protect your turkey dinner by being aware of turkey fryer dangers and knowing how to prevent them.
Hot Cooking Oil Spills & Splatters
If hot oil spills on a burner inside the house, it can easily cause a house fire. Hot oil splatters can severely burn someone’s skin, eyes, or clothes.
Make sure to use the right amount of oil. If you use too much oil, it can overflow when placing the turkey into the fryer. Be cautious when placing the turkey into the fryer. You don’t want to get oil everywhere by putting the turkey into the fryer too fast.
Lack of Stability
Most deep fryers you find have a lack of stability. As a result, they can easily tip over and spill, which causes the dangerous hot oil spills and splatters I discussed above.
When using a deep fryer, cook outside and on a flat level surface to help stability. Cook far away from the house in the yard. Do not cook on a wood platform. That’s just asking for a fire!
Temperature Control
Fox News says if oil gets to 400-425 degrees, it can catch on fire itself! So managing the temperature of the oil is a must. Most oil should stay around 350 degrees but always label to see the limitations of temperature.
Someone should keep an eye on the fryer at all times. Make sure that the temperature is controlled and nothing catches on fire. If the oil starts to smoke, that is an indication that the oil is getting too hot.
Too Hot To Touch
Make sure to take caution when touching the handles or sides of the fryer. They can easily burn you because of the scolding hot temperatures.
Tips For Safety
Make sure to follow these safety rules when frying a turkey:
- When using a deep fryer, keep it outside and away from the house.
- Do not have the turkey fryer on a wooden deck.
- Never leave a turkey fryer unattended.
- Keep turkey fryer on flat level ground.
- Use the right amount of oil.
- Keep the oil temperatures under control. Too hot is too dangerous.
- Do not let children by the turkey fryer.
- Keep the fryer away from anything flammable.
Other Ways To Cook A Turkey
A delicious moist turkey is key to a successful Thanksgiving dinner. However, don’t risk the turkey or your house by trying to fry it deep! And if you do choose that route, the safety tips above will surely help.
There are ways to avoid frying the turkey altogether and cook it in a healthier, safer way. For example, instead of frying the turkey in a deep fryer, you can easily cook it in the oven. Less oil equals less fat.
We wish you a safe, healthy, and happy Thanksgiving this year!
