Dangers of Frying a Turkey

11/22/2017 (Permalink)

With Thanksgiving being the number one day of the year with the most fire incidents in the kitchen, it is important to address one of the top causes of these fires; and that is deep frying a turkey. 

Deep frying a turkey generally involves frying it in about 3 gallons of oil over a propane burner. Sounds like a recipe for disaster, right?

Here are some reasons on why frying a turkey can be dangerous:

1. Cooking units can tip easily, spilling hot oil in a large area.
2. Overfilling the cooking pot or inserting a partially thawed turkey will cause the oil to spill.
3. Even a small amount of cooking oil making contact with a flame can cause a large fire.
4. Most of the frying units come without temperature controls and can overheat the oil to the point of combustion.
5. The cooking pot itself along with the handles and the lids can become extremely hot, resulting in severe burns.

If you decide too proceed with frying a turkey, here are some tips to keep your cooking session safe:

1. Place the fryer outdoors away from buildings or flammable materials.
2. Never use the fryer on a wooden deck, under a patio cover, in a garage, or in an enclosed space.
3. Do not overfill the fryer
4. Completely thaw the turkey before cooking.
5. Never leave the fire unattended.
6. Never let children or pets near the fire while cooking, or even afterwards, as the oil and pot can remain hot for hours.
7. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
8. If a fire does take place, do not use water to extinguish it.
9. Call 911 if a fire gets out of control.