Gourmet Kitchen Cookware :: Outdoor Gourmet - Grills/Smokers :: Cookers & Fryers
Turkey fryers are a popular way to have a different holiday meal. There are some great professional-grade stainless steel turkey fryers that are not onlysuitable for turkey frying - you can also use it to cook a variety of other foods including vegetables, crabs, and lobster. Just make sure you know about turkey fryer safety!
Cookers & Fryers
Using a specially designed turkey fryer increases the quality, and when you use the proper temperature the flavor is locked inside the turkey, making sure every bite is succulent, juicy, and bursting with flavor. An advantage of having a turkey fryer is that they aren't just for Thanksgiving or Christmas anymore. You can take a turkey fryer anywhere there is space to safely use it., and other foods can be cooked in it.
Rule number one - never leave a turkey fryer unattended! This is the main difference between frying a turkey and baking or roasting a turkey (where you can leave it in the oven unattended). Turkey frying has become a social even, much like a backyard barbeque, where it gives families a time to bod or friends a time to visit. So, turkey frying isn't just cooking, it's more like a party.
To ensure that your turkey frying experience is a memorable and safe one, here are some important turkey fryer saftey hints and tips.
- Always place turkey fryers should outside, and keep them a safe distance away from buildings and other combustible materials.
- Never use turkey fryers on wooden decks or inside garages.
- To reduce the risk of tipping, always place your turkey fryer on a flat surface.
- Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful of marinades before placing it in the pot. Excess water in partially frozen turkeys will cause the pot to overflow, resulting in a fire hazard. The National Turkey Federation recommends 24 hours of thawing for every 5 lbs of bird before cooking in a turkey fryer.
- Be careful to not overfill your turkey fryer with oil. If overfilled, oil may spill over, engulfing the entire unit and possibly injuring bystanders.
- Most turkey fryers do not come with a thermostat, and if left unattended the unit may overheat the oil, resulting in combustion.
- The sides of the cooking pot, lid and handles become very hot, posing a severe burn threat. Before touching the pot, cover your hands with oven mitts or use well-insulated potholders. Whenever possible, use protective eyewear.
- Make sure an all-purpose extinguisher is handy at all times. Never use water to put out a grease fire. Use common sense when fighting a fire. If it is within reason, use the extinguisher to put it out. If the fire is unmanageable, dial 9-1-1 for emergency assistance.
- Even after you are finished cooking, do not let pets or children near the unit. The oil in the container remains extremely hot for hours after cooking.
- And remember the most important safety tip of all: NEVER leave a turkey fryer unattended.
