How to Fry Your Turkey and Not Burn Your House Down

Let’s face it, pretty much everything tastes better after a run through the deep fryer — especially Thanksgiving turkey.

And with the holiday just a week away, most have probably already decided whether or not they are going to try their hands at deep frying a turkey for the holiday. If you’re one of those brave souls, please don’t set yourself, or your house on fire — there’s no better way to ruin holiday.

Feeling nervous now? Don’t, the Austin Fire Department and the Travis County Fire Marshal have your back. The Fire Department has shared a video on their youtube channel showing the dangers of frying turkey, and providing tips on how to safely fry your bird.

Here’s the video:

The Travis County Fire Marshal has also prepared this handy list of safety tips:

• Make sure the turkey is completely thawed, and be careful with marinades. Liquid, including water from a partially defrosted turkey, combined with hot oil can cause an explosion and injuries. (Allow at least one day of refrigerated thawing for every four pounds of turkey.)
• Make sure the fryer is used on a flat surface. Many units easily tip over, spilling the hot oil.
• Oil is heated to temperatures of 350 degrees Fahrenheit or more and is combustible. If heated beyond this temperature, its vapors can ignite. Make sure the appliance has temperature controls designed to shut off the fryer if the oil overheats and never leave the fryer unattended even after you remove the turkey. Hot means still dangerous.
• Propane-fired turkey fryers are designed for outdoor use. If rain strikes the exposed hot cooking oil, it can splatter and cause burns. Don’t use a propane fryer in a garage, barn, on a wooden deck or under eaves of the house.
• To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer. Oil may hit the burner or flames, causing a fire to engulf the entire unit.
• The lid and handles on the sides of the cooking pot get dangerously hot, posing severe burn hazards. Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles and wear a long-sleeve shirt. Wear closed-toe shoes to protect your feet and safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.
• Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. If the fire increases, call 9-1-1.

• Never let children or pets near the fryer, even if it is not in use.

So remember, deliciousness comes to those who are safe.

[Photo courtesy of Gunther Hagleitner]