Turkey Frying Safety

Friday, October 26, 2018 Ariana Naumvoski

‘Tis the season for family get-togethers, holiday parties, fun memories, and most importantly, good food! Apple and pumpkin pies, mashed potatoes and gravy, veggies, and the main course, turkey. Everyone loves turkey. You can have it roasted, smoked, grilled, baked, or everyone’s favorite, fried. But with that fried turkey comes some serious hazards. So, if your option is to deep fry that beautiful bird for Thanksgiving dinner this year, here are some tips you’re going to want to follow in order to avoid a nasty deep-frying accident:

Always start with thawing your turkey (in the refrigerator) a few days in advance depending on its size:
- 4 to 12 pounds: one to three days
- 12 to 16 pounds: three to four days
- 16 to 20 pounds: four to five days
- 20 to 24 pounds: five to six days
Always fry the turkey outside and away from your house
Place the fryer on a flat even surface to avoid tipping and possibly spilling hot oil
Never use the fryer on a wooden deck, under a patio, or in a garage
Never leave the fryer unattended and keep children and pets away
Wear your “PPE” – oven mitts, safety glasses, and an apron
Only use the fryer in dry weather conditions – avoiding snow and rain
Keep a fire extinguisher within reach
Don’t over fill your fryer!
Continuously monitor the temperature and turn off the burner if the oil is smoking before putting the turkey in
Make sure your turkey is completely dry before frying it
Once your turkey is cooked to perfection, carefully remove your pot from the burner and let the oil completely cool before disposing