There are plenty of ways to cook a turkey.
You can roast your Thanksgiving bird in the oven the traditional way, smoke it in the smoker or toss it (very gently) on the old grill. You can even microwave it, but that is something we don’t necessarily recommended unless there are no other options, and in that case, we suggest buying an oven.
But over the years, deep frying a turkey has become increasingly popular. It cooks your bird in a shorter amount of time and gives you that ultimate crispy skin. It sure can be delicious, but also comes with some risk.
“There are a lot safer ways to cook a turkey,” said Concord fire Chief Dan Andrus.
Andrus cautions the public about the dangers of using a deep fryer to cook your Thanksgiving protein. With gallons of hot oil and an exposed flame, one false move can quickly turn a holiday celebration into a serious situation.
“It’s amazing how much damage one turkey fryer can cause,” said Andrus. “I have only seen one (fire caused by a turkey fryer), but we get reports every year about some very devastating fires.”
While Andrus would rather people don’t use them at all, he understands that some prefer it. So he just wants to make sure that the necessary precautions are followed. Although it may seem like common sense, make sure to never use it inside. Outside is the only proper place for a turkey deep fryer, and at a safe distance from your house, deck and garage. If you want to stay warm, then either use your oven or wear a large snow suit like the kid from A Christmas Story.
And make sure to place your frying apparatus in a spot that is free of flammable materials, like leaves and tree branches, and don’t use cardboard underneath it.
“What they’re doing is adding more fuel to a potential fire,” Andrus said. “It really is a recipe for disaster.”
And when you decide to (very, very gently) place the turkey – which needs to be completely thawed and dry – in the hot oil, don’t plan on going anywhere for a while. Andrus explained that there should always be someone watching the turkey. It is not safe to drop it and leave. It can only take a second for things to go wrong.
Wearing long pants, sleeves and gloves are also recommended because there is a lot of opportunity for splatter and 350 degree oil can cause serious burns in an instant.
“Just be very aware of the splattering,” Andrus said. “You’re dealing with something that can cause lifetime scars.”
When you finally have that beautifully crispy turkey set for Thanksgiving dinner, the job is not over. It will take quite some time for the oil to cool down, so don’t forget to keep an eye on it. Each turkey fryer should come with manufacturer instructions, and it’s important to follow them.
We all want a safe and happy holiday season. And if you take the proper precautions, you can avoid having to see Andrus and the rest of the Concord Fire Department strolling around your property Thanksgiving night.
Editor’s note: This story appeared in the Nov. 26, 2013, Insider. But since it’s relevant with Thanksgiving this week, we figured why not regift the information?
