Warning: Read This Before Deep-Frying a Turkey

With Thanksgiving just a week away, families everywhere are buying groceries and planning their home-cooked meals. It's estimated that Americans consume around 48 million turkeys on Thanksgiving, some of which are baked in the oven, while others are deep-fried in grease or oil. Deep-frying a turkey may seem like a delightfully unhealthy alternative to baking, but it also opens up a whole new set of dangers that families need to be aware of.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) states that deep-fryers are responsible for 5 deaths and 60 injuries each year. And according to this article published on their official website, the NFPA discourages the use of all deep-fryers for cooking turkey, even models designed specifically for turkeys.

Why Deep-Drying Turkey Is Dangers

• Hot oil may splash into eyes or skin.
• Cooking oil used in deep-fryers is combustible and can literally explode when heated.
• Broken thermostat controls may encourage excessively hot oil, creating a serious fire hazard.
• Just a small splash of hot oil is all it takes to start a fire.
• A standard deep-fryer holds 5 gallons of oil.
• Deep-fryers can easily be knocked over.

Never Deep-Fry a Frozen Turkey

The biggest danger of deep-frying turkeys on Thanksgiving comes from individuals and families who attempt to drop a full 15-20 pound turkey in the deep-fryer. When a frozen turkey is placed in a deep-fryer, it can send flames 10-foot flames shooting into the air! So, why don't frozen turkeys and deep-fryers mix? The reason for this is because frozen turkeys contain large amounts of water, and tossing water into burning oil is like adding fuel to a fire.

It typically takes around 2-4 days for a full turkey to thaw (depending on its size and the refrigerator temperature). If you plan on deep-frying a turkey this Thanksgiving, go ahead and purchase it ahead of time so you'll be able to properly thaw it.

Watch Your Oil Temperature

Another important safety tip for deep-frying turkey is to watch your temperature. Allowing the oil to heat beyond the 'normal' range will increase your chances of a fire or accident. A good rule of thumb is to keep your deep-fryer temperature somewhere in the range of 340-360 degrees Fahrenheit.

One tall-tale sign that you oil is getting too high is smoke. If you see smoke coming off the top of your deep-fryer, turn it off so it can cool down.