Courting disaster is worth it for something this delicious — but safety is of paramount importance.
Deep-frying makes everything taste good, including Thanksgiving turkey. But frying a turkey is a serious undertaking and, as countless flame-engulfed YouTube videos attest, incredibly dangerous if done wrong. So here are some tips on how to deep fry turkey — and what not to do.
Canola oil is low in saturated fat and high in monounsaturated fat so it is a more healthful choice than any other vegetable oil, including peanut oil. And canola oil’s high smoke point makes it ideal for deep-frying. So let’s get started. It is important to buy a turkey fryer with a sturdy base.
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This is your traditional outdoor turkey fryer with a portable gas burner and a huge metal pot. It also includes a turkey rack and lifting hook, an aluminum fry pan, a perforated fry basket and a thermometer. It does require more care to use and should never, ever be used indoors, but your 20-pound turkey should fit nicely in this one too.
Definitely use the thermometer to keep an eye on the oil temperature, because if it gets too hot, it can flash over into a fire in an instant. Youll need a propane tank to hook it up to.
What NOT to do
- Do not neglect to read the instruction manual for whichever fryer you are using well ahead of time. They include safety tips and proper usage guidelines for a very good reason. Get acquainted with them before turkey day arrives.
- Do not set up the fryer on uneven ground, on a wooden surface, on grass or anywhere too near a house, outbuildings or flammable objects (like trees). The general rule is at least 10 feet away from all such things.
- Do not use an oil with a low smoke point, as noted above.
- Do not overfill the pot with oil or (obviously) it will spill over and ignite in a fireball when you lower the turkey in.
- Do not drop the turkey in; lower it slowly and carefully into the hot oil so it doesnt displace any grease over the sides.
- Do not put a frozen turkey in the fryer; the sudden temperature change can also cause an explosion of flames. Make sure to thaw the turkey completely and pat it dry before you cook.
- Do not leave the fryer unattended. Not even for a hot second. And do not take your eyes off the thermometer for too long.
- Do not let children, pets or drunk friends or family members get anywhere near the fryer, including for several hours after youre done, since it takes a while for all the grease to cool down.
- Do not scoff at proper safety equipment, including heat-resistant gloves and goggles (do you really want to take chances with that much hot oil?).
- Do not take frying a turkey lightly in general, because it seriously has the potential to kill you, maim you and your loved ones and burn down your house if it goes wrong. Just respect the process and take the proper precautions.
- If the fryer does catch fire, do not put water on it.
Make sure you have a fire extinguisher close at hand, and make sure its capable of putting out oil and grease fires. Familiarize yourself with how it works ahead of time, too.
Can you use canola oil to deep fry a turkey?
FAQ
What is the best oil for deep-frying turkey?
Is it OK to use canola oil in a deep fryer?
Can you reuse canola oil after frying turkey?
Do I have to use peanut oil to deep fry a turkey?
Can you deep fry a Turkey in canola oil?
Peanut oil, corn oil, canola oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, soybean oil and sunflower oil are all good options for deep frying a turkey. Can You Use Canola Oil to Deep Fry a Turkey?
Which oil is best for deep frying?
Best oils for deep-frying are: olive oil, as it is resistant to heat because it’s high in monounsaturated fatty acids. Avocado oil also contains monounsaturated with some saturated and polyunsaturated fats mixed in, and has a high smoke point of 520°F (270°C). Both are the best options.
What is the best oil for deep frying turkey?
LouAna peanut oil, perfect for deep frying turkey, provides superior high temperature frying results making fried foods crisp, juicy and golden brown. LouAna canola oil has half the saturated fat of soybean oil and LouAna safflower oil compares favorably to olive oil in nutritional value.
How much canola oil do you need for a Turkey?
The hot canola oil heats the water within the turkey and the water vapor pushes the bubbles towards the surface. This is why it is critical to have your turkey completely dry, inside and out. How Much Canola Oil Do I Need? Look for a 16 litre jib of canola oil at your supermarket or box supermarket like Costco.