How To Safely Deep-Fry a Turkey
Turkey. Even if your favorite thing on the Thanksgiving menu is the stuffing or the pumpkin pie, there’s no denying that the bird is the centerpiece of the meal. Cooking a whole turkey is an undertaking, and each family has a different way of doing it, from roasting in the oven to smoking on the grill – or even just purchasing one pre-cooked from a local restaurant. Hey, we don’t judge!
According to the National Fire Prevention Association, Thanksgiving is the number one day for home cooking fires, so it’s important to take extra precautions no matter how you choose to prepare your bird. One method of cooking that can produce a particularly delicious turkey is deep-frying. While this method can be great for freeing up oven space for other items, it’s certainly not for the faint of heart or the inexperienced chef.
At Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee, we’re here to help ensure you feel safe and protected every day, even on holidays. If you’re deep-frying your turkey this year, follow these safety tips so your Thanksgiving is all about the food, not fire.
Safely Deep-Frying a Turkey
Use this guide from the USDA to make sure your turkey is completely thawed out and dry before you start frying. Depending on the size of your bird, this could take several days! When the water in even a partially frozen turkey comes into contact with hot oil, it can cause an explosion.
Choose a safe spot to set up your fryer. This should be away from your home and should not be on a wooden deck, under a patio cover, or in a garage or other enclosed space. Enjoy the fresh air – you’ll be out there for a while!
Along those same lines, make sure the fryer is sturdy and on a level surface and that you remove anything that could burn from the area.
Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from the fire. Farther is better! You don’t want roughhousing children or dogs to knock that fryer over.
Wear long, well-insulated cooking gloves and safety goggles to protect your skin and hands from any oil splatter. No one wants battle scars from Thanksgiving.
In case something goes wrong, keep a fire extinguisher close by – and remember, never use water to extinguish a grease fire. You’ll just make it worse.
The best thing you can do when frying your turkey is to be mindful, take the proper precautions above, and have a plan in case something happens. You might say that’s what we do best at Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee.
One last tip? Talk to your agent about your home insurance policy to make sure you have the coverage you need this holiday season.
