We like big birds and we cannot lie. We also enjoy big steaks, big fish, and even a suckling pig on occasion. But mostly, when we’re cooking in the backyard, my husband and I choose a whole fowl.
What we don’t enjoy is how long it takes on a standard grill or the mess of draining gallons of peanut oil from a traditional turkey fryer. That’s two of the reasons we enjoyed the oilless Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Smoker Roaster & Grill Turkey Fryer.
With a large 1,200-square-inch interior roasting basket that can hold up to a 21-pound turkey, goose, duck, chicken, or any other piece of animal protein up to 25 pounds, this infrared model gave us classic fried bird results in 45 minutes, but we didn’t have to dispose of gallons of oil. We were able to attach it to the propane tank that fuels some of our other backyard cooking equipment with ease, and the temperature control allowed us to adjust the 9,000 to 18,000 BTUs when we needed to pump up the cooking action.
We also appreciated the ability to add flavor via the wood chip smoker box so that we didn’t have to completely rely on marinades, rubs, brinings, or injections. The wood chips or pellets last about 45 minutes, which is about the same time it takes to fry a medium-size turkey. And we loved the grease pan that captures drippings, and it’s easy to empty and clean.
The main drawback of this unit is its depth and breadth. Once it’s built, it’s 23.1 by 23.4 by 36.2 inches and a solid 50 pounds (although online specs state it’s 22.68 pounds, which is confusing). Its heft means that it’s likely going to stay wherever you put it.
While not the most ungainly piece of equipment we’ve ever used, it’s one of the heaviest turkey fryers we tested. And because it doesn’t have wheels, it’s also a less portable one. Sure, it has handles, but that only helps someone who can carry the other end or who is about a foot taller than my 5 feet, 2 inches.
The stainless steel black model we tested doesn’t come with a cover, but there is an option to buy one with a cover, should it be in stock. Keep reading to learn more about this oilless Char-Broil turkey fryer.
Crispy, juicy turkey with golden brown skin is practically an American tradition on Thanksgiving. But deep-frying the bird in gallons of hot oil can be dangerous and messy. Oil-less turkey fryers offer a safer, cleaner alternative without skimping on flavor. But how do these futuristic-looking gadgets work their magic? Let’s break it down.
What Is an Oil-Less Turkey Fryer?
Traditional turkey fryers immerse the bird in peanut oil heated to 350°F. Oil-less fryers use infrared heat and air circulation instead of oil to produce the same crispy end result.
Leading models like the Char-Broil Big Easy and Masterbuilt Butterball rely on radiant heat from an infrared burner along with a circular convection process Cold air enters the bottom of the enclosed cooking chamber and circulates upward, becoming super heated before escaping through the top
This rapid flow of hot air quickly crisps up the turkey skin. But because it’s a dry heat, the meat stays exceptionally moist and juicy.
The Technology Behind Oil-Less Fryers
The secret weapon inside these futuristic fryers is infrared cooking technology.
Infrared heat is generated by a ceramic burner fueled by propane. The burner emits electromagnetic waves that penetrate the turkey skin and excite its molecules. This vigorous molecular movement generates rapid heat transfer.
Unlike traditional ovens where heat radiates outwards from the coils, infrared cookers work by blasting food directly with intense heat. The waves only interact with the object they hit, not the surrounding air.
This sears the turkey skin for phenomenal crispness while the inside gently warms A built-in thermostat lets you adjust the infrared intensity,
Why Infrared Heat Makes Magic
Infrared energy excels at cooking meat Here’s why it produces unmatched results
- Penetrates food more deeply than standard hot air
- Transfers heat rapidly for faster cooking times
- Produces a crispy outer skin with juicy interior
- Doesn’t dry out lean poultry meats
- Infuses foods with smoky, grill-like flavor
- Lets you adjust heat intensity based on the food
Infrared heat also requires less cooking oil. And because it uses contained air circulation instead of a fry oil vat, it eliminates safety hazards.
How Air Circulation Crisps the Skin
Circulating hot air is the other secret to oil-less turkey frying. Here’s how it works:
Cold air enters through vents in the bottom of the enclosed metal cook chamber. As it swirls upwards around the infrared burner, the air becomes superheated to temperatures up to 450°F.
This rapid flow of hot air keeps the turkey skin perfectly crisp. Exhaust valves at the top maintain steady air circulation. The constantly moving hot air prevents the skin from becoming soggy.
Fans and multiple vents ensures the circulating air penetrates all areas equally. This creates an evenly crisped bird.
Why You Get Juicy Meat Without Oil
From the outside, oil-less turkey fryers use cutting-edge technology to develop that crispy fried texture. But inside, the meat stays incredibly moist and tender. Here are three reasons why:
1. Infrared heat is gentle on proteins – Unlike dry oven heat, infrared excite molecules without drying out moisture. This allows the turkey to retain all its natural juices.
2. Rapid cooking times – Shorter cook times mean less time for juices to escape. Oil-less fryers can cook a turkey in 8-10 minutes per pound versus 13-15 for an oven.
3. Internal basting – Juices dripping from the turkey collect in a basin at the bottom. Heat converts them to steam which bastes the bird from the inside out.
Oil-Less Turkey Fryer Cooking Process
While each model differs slightly, here is a general overview of the oil-less frying process:
- Prepare and season turkey as desired (8-16 lb capacity)
- Secure turkey inside fryer basket
- Clip basket to lifting arm and lower into fryer
- Power on propane burner and set to desired heat (up to 450°F)
- Cook turkey approximately 10 minutes per pound
- Check internal temp with a meat thermometer
- When turkey reaches 165°F, lift basket out and let rest 10 minutes
- Enjoy amazingly juicy, fried flavor without oil!
Is Oil-Less Frying Right for You?
Oil-less turkey fryers provide a mess-free, safer frying alternative perfect for Thanksgiving. Their innovative technology allows you to skip oil without sacrificing fried flavor. For crisp, mouthwatering turkey the whole family will love, give an oil-less fryer a try!
Is the Char-Broil Turkey Fryer Worth the Money?
This is a great unit for beginners and for those who don’t relish the additional calories that frying turkey in oil brings. It’s also helpful for those who want to have the flavor of a hickory- or cedar-infused bird without the labor and time it takes to smoke. Add some wood chips or pellets to the smoker box, which will last for about 45 minutes.
You can also cook other whole fowl in this cylindrical, vertical unit, and they all come out with crisp skins and succulent interiors, regardless of their fat content. The convex cooking drum collects the drippings, and the grease tray underneath collects them for easy cleanup. If you line the grease trap with a foil container, you can use these drippings to make gravy.
The only drawbacks to this unit are the setup, which has so many parts that it is not user-friendly, let alone kind to beginners who have never set up a turkey fryer, and its semi-permanent hard-to-move status is like an ex who wants to remain friends. In other words, it’s not as light or as portable as the manufacturer claims. Closer to 50 pounds than 25, it’s a model that’s going to stay where it’s built rather than go into storage.
This turkey fryer seems to range widely in price. Amazon has the middle-ground price and most of the units in stock at other retailers. While other turkey fryers are generally less expensive, they’re also more dangerous. However, considering that this one can also be used as a grill and a roaster, it can be an excellent investment for enthusiasts with balconies and small backyards.
Char-Broil Turkey Fryer: At a Glance
Rating: 9/10
- Safer than oil-based turkey fryers
- Healthier without oil
- Use the grease pan drippings for gravy
- Heavy and immovable without wheels
- No temperature display
- Needs a cover and cast-iron seasoning treatment
Get the Char-Broil Turkey Fryer at:
My Big Easy Oil-Less Turkey Fryer has one MINOR Flaw
FAQ
Is an oil-less turkey fryer worth it?
How to cook a Turkey in an oilless Fryer?
1. Preheat your oil-less fryer according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Most models require preheating to around 400°F (200°C). 2. Once preheated, place the turkey in the fryer basket, breast-side up. Be careful not to overcrowd the fryer, as this can affect the turkey’s cooking time and result in unevenly cooked meat. 1.
Does a Big Easy turkey fryer need oil?
The Big Easy Oil-less Turkey Fryer cooks your turkey with a crispy crust on the outside and tender, juicy meat on the inside. It keeps your oven free for all those tasty sides and special pies too. The Big Easy® Oil-Less Turkey Fryer is powered by TRU‑Infrared™ technology and requires no oil to operate.
What is the best oil-less turkey fryer?
There are a couple oil-less turkey fryers on the market, but by far the most popular is The Big Easy oil-less turkey fryer, a model made by Char-Broil. Traditionally, a turkey deep fryer cooks a turkey in hot oil that’s heated by an external burner.
How does the Big Easy® turkey fryer work?
The Big Easy® Oil-less Turkey Fryer is the stress-free way to fry your turkey without having to purchase or dispose of cooking oil. That means you don’t have to worry about splattering, spilling and burns.