Deep-frying turkeys… delicious, but dangerous

Deep-frying a turkey can be dangerous. COURTESY PHOTO Eating turkey on Thanksgiving is a tradition that is as American as apple pie. In fact, the National Turkey Federation estimates about 88 percent of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving Day. In 2008, Americans consumed more than 690 million pounds on Thanksgiving Day.

In recent years, deep-frying has become an increasingly popular way to cook this holiday bird, as the process creates extraordinarily tender, juicy meat enveloped in a crispy outer skin.

But there are serious dangers associated with the deep-frying method that increase the potential for fire or injury. The combination of a large quantity of extremely hot oil, a large, heavy, and slippery turkey, the flammability of nearby equipment and surroundings, and chef carelessness and inexperience pose a whole host of extra dangers that need to be considered in advance of Thanksgiving Day. The dangers are many.

. Hot oil spills and splashing – caused by fryer tipping or inserting a wet or partially frozen turkey into the hot oil

. Ignition of oil – often related to oil reaching excess temperatures or oil contacting the open flame or burner of the fryer

. Burns and personal injury — often caused by skin coming in contact with the sides, lid and handles of the hot fryer or from hot oil splashes

Given the added dangers, Ted Todd Insurance recommends that turkey chefs carefully consider the added risks associated with deep-frying.

“Don’t compromise your safety and the safety of those you love, just to serve a better tasting turkey,” said Brian Culbertson, the company’s operations manager.

If you still prefer to deep-fry your turkey, it’s recommended that backyard chefs closely adhere to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s safety guidelines for frying turkeys, taking measures to protect yourself and your surroundings from possible mishaps.

Before you start

Purchase a standard, dry chemical fire extinguisher and keep it near at hand for emergencies

Choose a level, open area outdoors — never choose an interior or partially enclosed space such as a garage, breezeway, carport, porch or any structure that could catch fire

Place the fryer on a strong, level surface, well away from walls, fences, low hanging trees or other flammable surroundings

Make sure there is at least 2 feet of space between the propane tank and the fryer burner

Check the direction of the wind and position the propane tank and fryer so that any wind will blow the heat of the fryer away from the gas tank

Never leave the fryer unattended with the burner on… even for a brief moment

Cooking tips

. Center the pot over the burner on the cooker

. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to determine the proper amount of oil to add. One way to judge the amount of oil to add is to first place the turkey in the pot and fill it with water until the turkey is covered by about a half-inch of water. Remove and dry the turkey. Mark the remaining water level on the pot without the turkey. Dump the water, dry the pot thoroughly, and refill with oil to the marked level.

. Thoroughly thaw the turkey before cooking (the USDA recommends 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds) and pat dry, as any water or ice on the turkey can create an explosion and large fireball

. Use long gloves and protective clothing to cover your bare skin when adding or removing food

. Raise and lower the turkey very slowly to reduce spillover and splatter

Stay alert at all times

. Check the oil temperature frequently with a thermometer to avoid overheating

. If oil begins to overheat and smoke, turn the gas supply off immediately

. If a fire occurs, never attempt to extinguish the fire with water

. Call 911 immediately

. Use the fire extinguisher

. Turn off the propane tank, if you can safely do so

. If you do not have a fire extinguisher, carefully try to extinguish the fire with a metal lid (never glass) or dampen a towel with water, wring out excess water and throw it over the pot

Should you ever have any type of cooking oil fire, never try to extinguish the fire with water. When water is added to hot oil, the water immediately turns to steam, expanding 1,700 times in volume. The result will be a steam explosion that will turn a small fire into a huge hot oil fireball that can engulf you and your surroundings quickly.

Multi-purpose ABC dry fire extinguishers are readily available in marine stores and home centers and are a good piece of equipment to have in your home, office or on your boat for unexpected fire emergencies. They are a good investment in keeping your family safe every day. 