How to Put a Turkey on the Fryer Stand: A Step-by-Step Guide for a Perfectly Fried Bird

Frying a turkey is one of the best ways to prepare a juicy and flavorful bird for your holiday feast. But properly putting the turkey on the fryer stand is crucial for even cooking and safety. Follow this comprehensive guide to learn how to securely place your turkey on the stand for perfect frying results.

Choose the Right Fryer Stand

Your fryer stand needs to be sturdy and fit your turkey snugly. Look for these features

Sturdy metal construction that can hold the turkey’s weight
A flat rack to hold the turkey, with enough space for the size of your bird
A drip pan to collect hot oil and juices
Tall sides to prevent spillovers

Stainless steel or aluminum fryer stands with removable racks work best. Avoid wobbly stands or racks. Measure your turkey and choose a stand at least 2 inches wider.

Prepare Your Turkey

Proper preparation ensures your turkey fries up crispy on the outside and juicy inside

Thaw completely: Keep the turkey in the fridge for 24 hours per 4-5 lbs. A frozen turkey can explode!
Remove giblets and neck: Check inside both cavity and neck.
Dry thoroughly: Pat with paper towels inside and out.
Season: Rub the skin with dried herbs or inject marinade.

Set Up the Fryer Safely

Where and how you set up the fryer is critical for safety:

Place it outside on a flat, level surface away from anything flammable.
Position the propane tank several feet from the burner.
Fill the vessel with peanut oil to the “fill line”.
Heat the oil to 350°F. Use a thermometer to monitor.
Have a fire extinguisher nearby just in case.

Put the Turkey on the Stand

Once your fryer is hot and your turkey prepped, it’s go time!

With the burner off, carefully lower your turkey into the hot oil using the hook.
Lower slowly to prevent splatter. Be extremely careful of hot oil!
Make sure your turkey is completely submerged.
Turn the burner back on and maintain the oil temp at 350°F.

Fry Your Turkey

Now comes the fun part—frying:

Cook your turkey for 3-4 minutes per pound.
For a 15 lb turkey, fry for about 45 minutes.
Use a meat thermometer to verify 165°F internal temp.
The skin will turn golden brown when done.
Turn off the burner and remove turkey slowly.

Let the Turkey Rest

Before carving, always let the turkey rest:

Place on a large cutting board or platter.
Tent loosely with foil to keep warm.
Let rest 15-20 minutes to allow juices to settle.
The turkey will finish cooking and become more tender.

Frying a turkey produces the juiciest, most flavorful results but requires care and the right technique. Follow these tips for putting your turkey on the fryer stand safely and enjoy finger-licking delicious fried turkey!

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Never deep fry a frozen turkey, since still-frozen turkeys will explode if theyre deep fried! Once your turkey is fully thawed, set up the propane tank and fryer on a level surface at least 10 feet away from any buildings. Place the turkey into the fryer then fill the fryer with oil so that there’s 5 inches between the surface of the oil and the top of the fryer. Then, remove the turkey and light the burner. When the oil is at 350 °F, slowly lower the turkey into the fryer. Remove the turkey when its 165 °F and let it rest for 20 minutes before carving. For more important safety tips, like why you should never deep fry a still-frozen turkey, read on!

StepsPart

Question Will this work with a chicken? Community Answer Yes, but adjust the measurements based on the weight of the chicken.
Question How do I eat the turkey? Recee44 Community Answer Eat the turkey with a fork and knife.
Question The last time I used an injected Butterball turkey, it turned black, but it was still very good. Should I only use a non-injected one? Community Answer Yes.

Turkey Fryer Lighting Instructions

FAQ

How do you put a turkey on a fryer rack?

Place the fresh or fully thawed turkey into the fryer basket, breast side up or according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. When the oil reaches the target temperature, slowly lower the turkey and basket into the fryer. Set the timer for 3 to 4 minutes per pound.

Which end of turkey goes in the fryer first?

Make sure the hole at the neck is open at least 2 inches so oil can flow freely into the cavity. Turn off the heat source. Place whole onion into the drain basket followed by turkey, neck-end first. Slowly lower the basket into the fryer until turkey is completely submerged in oil.

Do you put the lid on the fryer when frying a turkey?

Do not use a pot lid when frying your turkey. If a fire starts, do not spray water onto it, as this could splash and spread the burning oil. Never leave your pot, fryer or hot oil unattended.

How to choose a turkey fryer?

This turkey fryer should have a stand that’s sturdy and well-constructed to reduce the risk of things toppling over while you cook. Ensure that your stand is on a completely flat surface, with plenty of space around and underneath it. The latter is important so that the burner can fit under it.

Can you put a turkey fryer on a fire?

Never use water or a garden hose when putting out fires related to turkey fryers. Always leave the oil to cool overnight before disposing — Once you’ve finished, carefully remove the pot from the burner and place on the ground. Cover and let the oil cool down throughout the night before disposing. What comes in your turkey fryer kit?

How do I set up an outdoor turkey fryer?

How to set up an outdoor turkey fryer: An outdoor turkey fryer includes a burner, stand, pot, thermometer, hanger or basket and lowering mechanism. You’ll need to provide a propane tank. Choose an open space to set up your outdoor fryer. It should be on a flat, level and hard surface that is at least 10 feet from the home in any direction.

Where should a turkey fryer be placed?

Also keep away from trees or any wooden structure that will be potential fire hazards. Always place on flat, concrete ground — You should always place your outdoor turkey fryer on a flat, solid, nonflammable surface. Never place your turkey fryer on decking or inside an open garage to avoid any fires.