Is Deep Frying a Turkey Dangerous? A Close Look at the Risks

Ah! Its that time of year again, time to mash the potatoes, smell the pumpkin pie, gather family and friends, and take a bite of string bean casserole. Right now, you may be preparing your menu and deciding how youre going to cook your turkey this holiday season. Are you considering the prospects of deep-frying your bird? If so, read on before you run to the store to buy the fryer and cooking oil.

Deep-fried turkey, a tradition from the South, has been gaining in popularity over the years and has been touted by famous chefs to be a quick method of cooking a flavorful and moist bird. However, frying in general is more dangerous than many other types of cooking, since it involves using a large quantity of cooking oil, a combustible substance. Many cooks may not realize that deep-frying a turkey is very hazardous, even for those who have been using fryers for years.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) discourages the use of outdoor, gas-fueled turkey fryers, which can lead to devastating burns, destruction of property, and other injuries. Additionally, Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the organization that certifies safe products, does not certify these types of fryers with its UL label. Both organizations discourage the use of open-flame fryers due to the following:

Despite these hazards, if you still plan on using a turkey fryer, please follow these safety guidelines:

In case youre still wondering, Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires. The day has three times the average number of reported home structure fires involved with cooking equipment. Please be careful this holiday season.

Come November thoughts turn to Thanksgiving turkey. For many deep frying the bird has become a delicious tradition. But is deep frying a turkey dangerous? The quick answer is yes – this cooking method does carry risks.

In this article, we’ll take a close look at why deep frying turkeys can be hazardous and how to stay safe if you choose to deep fry this holiday season.

Why Is Deep Frying Turkey Risky?

Deep frying involves fully submerging the turkey in hot oil heated to 350°F or more. Several factors make this cooking technique precarious:

High temperatures – The oil is heated to nearly 400°F, close to the smoking point where oil can ignite Accidental fire is a real danger
Open flame – Many fryers use propane burners with open flames below the pot. This can ignite any oil that overflows or spills
Overflows – Dropping a frozen turkey into the hot oil can cause violent boiling overflows. This splattering oil can cause severe burns.
Steam explosions – Partially frozen turkeys contain ice that instantly turns to steam when submerged. This can lead to dangerous eruptions of scalding oil.
Heavy equipment – Large propane tanks and oversized pots full of hot oil make deep fryer units awkward and prone to tipping over.

Deep Frying Turkey Dangers and Safety Tips

Let’s explore some specific dangers involved with deep frying whole turkeys:

Oil spills – One of the biggest risks is hot oil overflowing and causing both fire and skin burns. Never overfill the pot. Slowly lower the turkey to prevent splashing.
Steam eruptions – Ice and moisture in a partially frozen bird can violently turn to steam when submerged in hot oil. Always completely thaw turkeys before frying.
Equipment issues – Faulty thermometers, propane leaks, tip-overs, and cheap cookers can lead to problems. Use high quality, sturdy equipment.
Location – Never deep fry indoors or near structures. Position the fryer outside on a flat surface at least 10 feet from buildings.

If you do choose to accept the risks of deep frying turkey, follow these tips to stay safe:

Use commercial grade Turkey Fryers with safety features.
Wear protective goggles, gloves, and long sleeves.
Keep children and pets away from the hot oil.
Monitor temperature closely to prevent oil from overheating.
Thoroughly thaw and dry turkeys before cooking.
Follow all manufacturer instructions.

Safer Ways to Prepare Thanksgiving Turkey

The risks and dangers of deep frying whole turkeys simply outweigh the tasty reward for many. Here are some safer alternative cooking methods:

Oven roasted – The traditional approach of roasting a whole turkey in the oven is far safer as there is no boiling oil.
Fried turkey breasts – You can get the flavor of fried turkey by pan frying turkey breasts on the stovetop with just 1-2 cups of oil.
Air fried – New countertop air fryers let you “fry” turkey pieces oil-free with hot circulating air for crispy skin.
Smoked – Smoking smaller turkey joints like drums and thighs avoids hot oil entirely.

So you have plenty of options to enjoy delicious turkey this Thanksgiving without endangering your home or family with dangerous deep frying.

Is the Spectacle Worth the Safety Risk?

While deep fried turkey tastes amazing, keep in mind you’re essentially dealing with a vat of boiling oil over an open flame. Any mistakes with overfilling, overheating, or lowering the turkey too fast can result in explosive disasters and injuries.

Our advice? Don’t let the temptation of crispy turkey blind you to the serious risks of this cooking method. Opt for less dangerous ways to prepare your holiday bird and leave deep frying to the professionals!

Frequency of Entities:
Turkey – 15
Deep fry – 14
Oil – 14
Fry – 8
Frozen – 5
Thanksgiving – 4
Fryer – 3
Burn – 3
Heat – 3
Steam – 2
Boil – 2
Risk – 2
Splash – 2
Thaw – 2
Overflow – 2
Danger – 2
Safety – 2
Flame – 2
Prep – 2
Cook – 2

is deep frying a turkey dangerous

Fire Info for You

Employees Keep fire safe in the kitchen by following these Thanksgiving Safety tips from the NFPA.

Park Leadership Consider establishing guidelines for using turkey fryers in your park this holiday season.

Ensure your employees are completing NPSs Annual Fire Extinguisher Education to keep updated on the proper use of fire extinguishers, which are used frequently on cooking fires.

Select a safer method of cooking your turkey this holiday season. If you enjoy the taste of fried turkey, cook the bird in an electric fryer that does not have an open flame or purchase a cooked turkey from a grocer or restaurant that uses professional frying equipment.

In June 2009, a double deep-fryer caught fire in the kitchen of the Seagulls Nest, a restaurant operated by a park concessionaire in Gateway National Recreation Area. The fire was extinguished by concession employees with portable fire extinguishers. NPS and mutual aid firefighters checked the building for additional hidden fire using a thermal imaging camera and cooled the deep fryer. The fire was caused by an electrical short in the fryers ignition switch.

Explore the National Park Service

Frying a turkey can quickly turn into a hazardous fire situation.

Turkey fryers tip easily, spilling their contents, and causing oil to ignite.
Overfilling the fryer is common. The oil spills out of the pot when the turkey is placed in the fryer, engulfing the whole unit in flames.
With no thermostat controls, the oil is prone to overheating to the combustion point.
The handles and lid get extremely hot, which can cause severe burns.
Since the unit is designed for outdoor use, rain or snow can fall on the unit, splattering the oil and converting the water to scalding steam.

Despite these hazards, if you still plan on using a turkey fryer, please follow these safety guidelines:

Always use the fryer outdoors on a flat surface, safely away from structures, wooden decks, and covered patios. No matter what, DO NOT be tempted to use the fryer in a garage.
Have the correct kind of fire extinguisher nearby and ready to use.
To ensure you are using the right amount of oil, place a thawed turkey in the fry pot and add enough water to cover the bird by ½”. Remove the turkey and mark the water level. Dump the water and thoroughly dry the pot and turkey. Fill the pot with oil to the marked level.
Do not leave the fryer unattended. Monitor the temperature of the oil with a thermometer to prevent the oil from overheating and catching fire. If the oil begins to smoke, immediately turn the gas off.
Ensure the turkey is COMPLETELY THAWED to prevent a fire or explosion hazard.
Raise and lower the turkey slowly to prevent oil splatter, burns, and fire.
Keep children and pets away from the fryer to prevent tipping, even after the turkey is done. The oil is dangerously hot for hours.
Use your safety tools: Oven mitts, gloves, and safety goggles.
Stand upwind of the propane tank and fryer so heat blows away from you.

What are the dangers of deep frying a turkey?

FAQ

How do you deep fry a turkey without it exploding?

If you are considering deep-frying this year, do not forget to thaw and dry your turkey before placing it in the pot. Failure to do so may lead to an explosive disaster.

Is deep-frying toxic?

Deep fried food can be perfectly fine in moderation, depending on the type of oil used to fry and how often it is drained and replaced. Old oil contains more trans fats and harmful byproducts of the frying process.

Why do Americans deep fry turkey?

Fried turkey has been a popular item in the Southern United States, and has become popular in other parts of the country because of the reduced time needed to cook a turkey in a deep fryer, versus other conventional methods such as an oven or a rotisserie grill.

What happens if you deep fry a Turkey?

Deep-fried turkeys cause an average of five deaths, 60 injuries and over $15 million in property damage every year, according to the New York City Fire Department. When done improperly, deep frying can lead to exploding birds, oil burns and dangerous fires.

Are turkey fryers dangerous?

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an estimated five deaths, 60 injuries, and over $15 million of damage occurs yearly due to turkey fryer fires. This activity is considered so dangerous that the NFPA discourages even well-informed and seasoned cooking veterans from undertaking this tradition. 1.

Is a deep fried turkey dangerous?

It’s unfortunate that a deep-fried turkey is so dangerous to prepare, as it’s truly a delicious option for Thanksgiving dinner. But no matter how tasty the result is, you should always prioritize the safety and security of your home and family.

Can frying a Turkey cause a fire?

And that spattering can cause burns or major fires when the oil comes into contact with a flame. For years, dramatic videos have circulated on social media of fires erupting from dangerous frying setups. Thanksgiving is here:How to fry a turkey and live to tell about it