With Thanksgiving around the corner, Americans are sharpening their cutlery to dig into a brown, juicy fried turkey. However, for some homeowners, it could all end in flames.

Fire departments across the country work more than usual on Thanksgiving. Most of the cases involve the mishandling of a deep fryer and the accompanying oil. So, if you’re deep-frying turkey this year, you must exercise caution.

How to Deep Fry Turkey Safely

Here are some dos and don’ts for frying turkey safely:

  •         Stick to the manufacturer’s instructions on the fryer.
  •         Avoid overfilling the turkey fryer with oil. Can’t find a fill line? Put the turkey in the fryer and pour water until the turkey is slightly submerged. The water line should be your maximum fill line.
  •         Don’t deep fry a turkey when it is still frozen. Wait until it is completely thawed and pat dry before dipping it in hot oil.
  •         Avoid stuffing the turkey if you intend to fry it.
  •         Preheat oil while marinating or seasoning the turkey.
  •         Lower the turkey gently into the hot oil until it is completely covered.
  •         Don’t fry your turkey indoors. Fry your turkey in an open environment away from any overhangs that may burn in the resulting heat.
  •         Don’t fry your turkey on wooden decks. They can burn quickly.
  •         Fry your turkey on a flat surface to keep the fryer from tipping over.
  •         Wear protective gear before you deep fry a turkey to prevent oil burns.
  •         Keep a fire extinguisher on hand during the cooking process.
  •         Keep children and pets away from the frying area.
  •         Do not leave the fryer unattended, even for units with thermostat controls.
  •         Don’t cool the oil with ice. Water can cause the oil to spill over and cause a fire accident.
  •         Use a meat thermometer to monitor the meat’s internal temperature.
  •         Keep the propane tank away from the cooking area where possible.
  •         Use the probe thermometer to check the meat more frequently as it nears the cook time. The average cooking time for deep-fried turkey is 3.5 minutes per pound.
  •         Use an oil with a high smoke point for the best results.

Is Deep Frying Turkey Healthy?

Frying your turkey increases the level of trans fat in the bird you consume. Therefore, it’s not healthy. However, trans fats are relatively harmless if you don’t eat too much frequently and work out regularly.

So, digging into deep-fried turkey only on Thanksgiving won’t endanger your health a great deal.

What Are the Alternatives to Deep Fried Turkey?

Since frying turkey is fraught with dangers, you may consider other alternatives to cooking your bird this Thanksgiving. Top options include grilling and roasting.

They are not without their dangers, but most people are more familiar with roasting or grilling their foods than frying.

You can also avoid the hassle of frying by choosing to buy an already-fried fresh turkey from food retailers near you. Some of them can take custom orders.

Get Expert Help From a Professional Restoration Team

At Our Repair Team, we understand the far-reaching effects of ending up with a charred home on Thanksgiving. Therefore, we strive to make the recovery process as smooth as possible.

We’ll remove any remaining water from the fire department’s activity in your home, clean up soot, and remove any burnt objects before proceeding with the rest of the restoration process.

Call us today at 330-315-2003 or contact us online for professional fire damage restoration from a highly experienced team.