Turkey Fryer

[David]

My brother got me one for Christmas. I plan on doing a small turkey in it on Christmas day. Who has one and what are the tips for using one?

[geckoheart]

It’s not that difficult, but it is dangerous. There is also tons of info available on the web to read.
Here is what I sent my sister, her and a few co-workers fried 4 for a Christmas party a few weeks ago and everyone was happy and it seemed to go well.

Few tips:

:roundtheh
-Oil is hot and will burn you.
-Before starting to cook. Most important part. Prevents houses from burning down and excess splash.
-Unwrap the turkey and put it in the empty pot.
-Fill with water until it covers the turkey.
-Remove the turkey.
-Mark the water level. This is how much oil you will need.
- Fill oil to mark.
-Inject turkey with marinade (do you have one or need any ideas?).
-Heat to 350 degrees, outside, away from structures or other flammable objects.
-Turn gas OFF.
-Slowly add turkey. Don’t burn your hands!
-Cook for 4 minutes a pound + 5 minutes. Turkey should float and leg twist off easily.
-Remove turkey, let sit for 5 minutes on paper towels.
-Eat.

I have an awesome Cajun Butter Marinade recipe. Let me know if you would like it.

[geckoheart]

I have found that a 12 to 14 pound turkey works best.

[David]

I would love ideas on marinades!

[tripp]

and make sure you do it outside. And away from surfaces you will have to walk on.

my nephew did this on the driveway at my father in laws house one year.
It spewed grease on the driveway and made it slippery.

[Jagstownville]

I would love ideas on marinades!

Tons of stuff out there for marinades. Should be able to find the Injector types (the only way to go) at grocery stores or wal-mart.

Also, after the turkey is done.... get a couple of Ref. bisquits packages and cut each bisq. in half and drop into the oil after the turkey is out. Let them cook for a about 30 secs to 1 min or until a light golden brown. Flip them over and do the same to the other side. After both sides are done take out and let oil dry on a plate with a paper towel. Sprinkly with Powdered Sugar!!! Good stuff. Make sure that you use some kind of metal dealy to get them out of the HOT oil. :stretchgr

[geckoheart]

and make sure you do it outside. And away from surfaces you will have to walk on.

my nephew did this on the driveway at my father in laws house one year.
It spewed grease on the driveway and made it slippery.

And not on the deck!

[geckoheart]

I would love ideas on marinades!

A co-worker that turned me on to Turkey frying about 9-10 years ago gave me this recipe. I have used the store bought, fried them plain, with strained Italian dressing,...etc. The best I have had and have never had any complaint about is this recipe:

Cajun Fried Turkey

4 sticks butter
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon liquid onion
1 tablespoon liquid garlic
1 tablespoon hot sauce
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
Cajun seasoning
1 10 to 14 lb Turkey
35 lbs. peanut oil

Melt butter over medium heat. Add Cayenne pepper, onion, garlic, hot sauce, and worcestershire sauce. Mix thoroughly. Inject the mixture throughout the turkey. Heat the peanut oil to 350 degrees. Sprinkle the turkey (inside and outside) with the Cajun seasoning. Fry the turkey in the peanut oil for 4 minutes per pound.


I have adjusted to use less butter or hot sauce, just depends on the crowd. As is is the best.

[Greg]

mmmm...fried turkey......drooool

[geckoheart]

This thread reminds me, get the turkey out of the freezer so we can fry it on Christmas.

Alright, the turkey is thawing.

Another tip, make sure the turkey is thawed before frying!

[smokinafuente]

-Before starting to cook. Most important part. Prevents houses from burning down and excess splash.
-Unwrap the turkey and put it in the empty pot.
-Fill with water until it covers the turkey.
-Remove the turkey.
-Mark the water level. This is how much oil you will need.
- Fill oil to mark.

Great tip! Just make sure that when your done with the water, that you dry EVERYTHING! And don't forget the inside of the bird. You want ALL the water is gone. H2o + 350 degree oil = BAD.

Also, smaller birds do work better. On the big ones, the legs are about burnt off before the rest of ol' Tom is done.

[Moglman]

smokinafuente makes a critical point. The bird must be completely dry or you'll get spatter. The oil should cover the bird, but really shouldn't be over 1/2 to 2/3 full. Too much oil may cause boilover. If it is cold and/or windy outside, take this into account. If you can get some relief from the wind, your flame and temp will be much easier to keep consistent. If cold and windy, the top few inches of the oil where the thermometer is can be cooler than the lower layers, and when you get it to 350. The lower layers could be 400 - 450. Stir slightly before trusting the temp. Under normal conditions, convection will mix the oil and this isn't a problem.

[caudio51]

We had another thread about this but I can't seem to find it. Todd posted some crazy videos about how fast they can start a fire.

[jasontp]

-Oil is hot and will burn you.


Don't let that one slip by as one of those "duh! everyone knows that" kinda things! Grease burns suck! It's amazing how many times a day people at the coffee shop stick their hands in 200 degree water. . . imagine that bumped just a few degrees and it won't come off! Back on topic, we do this every Thanksgiving as well as a traditional turkey all good! mmmmmmmmmmm turkeyyyyy:sleep:

[David]

My wife bought vegetable oil instead of peanut oil. Will this be a problem??

[geckoheart]

smokinafuente makes a critical point. The bird must be completely dry or you'll get spatter. The oil should cover the bird, but really shouldn't be over 1/2 to 2/3 full. Too much oil may cause boilover. If it is cold and/or windy outside, take this into account. If you can get some relief from the wind, your flame and temp will be much easier to keep consistent. If cold and windy, the top few inches of the oil where the thermometer is can be cooler than the lower layers, and when you get it to 350. The lower layers could be 400 - 450. Stir slightly before trusting the temp. Under normal conditions, convection will mix the oil and this isn't a problem.

To help with wind and temperature statification, you can put the lid on the pot. Drill a hole in the lid to insert the thermometer. Also is useful if it begins to rain/snow.

[Wasch_24]

I would reccomend leaving the Turkey in the bag when gauging it's displacement, that way you don't get any water in it.

Video (http://www.ul.com/turkeyfryers/fryer.mpg)

[geckoheart]

My wife bought vegetable oil instead of peanut oil. Will this be a problem??

My understanding- the point that the vegetable oil will burn is a lot lower than for peanut oil. I have never used anything but peanut oil, as is recommended.

[Jagstownville]

My understanding- the point that the vegetable oil will burn is a lot lower than for peanut oil. I have never used anything but peanut oil, as is recommended.

I can't remember why Peanut Oil was recommended but that is what we have always used as well. They always came out awesome too.

[geckoheart]

I would reccomend leaving the Turkey in the bag when gauging it's displacement, that way you don't get any water in it.

Video (http://www.ul.com/turkeyfryers/fryer.mpg)

I couldn't get the video to work properly (assumming a problem on my end).

If you leave the turkey in the bag the cavity of the turkey will not fill up with water. This will lead you to being short the same volume of oil that the cavity will hold.
As far as drying the turkey off, I never have. By the timne the oil has heated up, the turkey gets injected and I apply the rub to the outside and inside it is dry.

To prevent a spectacular fire from spillage when putting the turkey in- Turn off the Flame.

[Wasch_24]

I was thinking it is easier to add a splash of oil then to try and dry out the inside of the bird but if it dries sufficiently on it's own then I guess it isn't a problem.

[caudio51]

I decided I am going to do one for Christmas. Watching Good Eats to learn how, I'm actually sitting here with notes :rofl:

[David]

I am so glad you bumped this! I was thinking about a question I had today since I haven't done one since last Christmas:

I understand the concept of putting the turkey in then adding water to make a mark for the exact amount of oil but...what is an approximate amount needed for a 12-14 pound bird? Obviously, I am buying the peanut oil ahead of time and am clueless on how much to get.

[Séamas]

The only thing I've ever used my turkey fryer for is boiling wort for beer.

It seems like a safer use for one, and beer is much better than turkey anyway.

[caudio51]

Alton said about 4 gallons and he suggested not using more than a 15lb bird.

[David]

Alton said about 4 gallons and he suggested not using more than a 15lb bird.


Thanks!

I remember reading that a 12-14 pound bird was the best size.

[caudio51]

Oh and here is his recipe

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_35148,00.html

He also reccomended peanut oil

[jcgoldner]

Dave 4-5 gallons to be safe. I've been frying them up for 4 or 5 years now and the best place I've seen is Sam's Club for the peanut oil. The sell it in a 35lb container for around $28.

Tom is right on staying below the 16 lb mark. I've been doing two birds in the 14lb range, one brined and the other plain. Thanksgiving has gotten even better with turkey frying since you are outside heating up the oil, frying the bird and enjoying you favorite cigars with family. Can't beat it!!!

[geckoheart]

The 35 pound boxes work well and agree that Sam's always has the best price.

I fried two 13 pounders on Sunday night for a retired VP of the company I work for. Had to serve 23 people, most were originally from England and said it was great. Feeding Cajun Fried Turkey to to a bunch of Brits- that was risky. The first turkey served everyone, then half of the second turkey was eaten with the second and third trips. My first venture at it for a fee. Thankfully all went well.

I only had a few samples since I was paid to cook and serve, but I am ready to cook my own this year.

[geckoheart]

Also enjoyed a LFD Ligero while getting setup and while the birds were frying. While the birds were frying, all of the guests arrived to find me in front of the house with the turkeys and a cigar. One of the guests and I started taking cigars. He's been invited to botl.org.

[caudio51]

I need to go shopping tomorrow for a pot and a burner.

[geckoheart]

Bass Pro Shops (http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=58471&hvarTarget=search&hvarAID=&cmCat=3335783)is has one on sale

[jrohrer]

OH YEAH!!!...almost gobble time boys!

love thanksgiving!!

[caudio51]

I finally did my first bird yesterday. I did a simple brine solution of salt water and brown sugar. It was such a simple and fast process and the bird came out fantastic!

[jmatkins]

I finally did my first bird yesterday. I did a simple brine solution of salt water and brown sugar. It was such a simple and fast process and the bird came out fantastic!

Sounds good, I have done about 5 or 6 to date over the last 5 years. Oh and congrats.

[caudio51]

Thanks

Unfortunately I am now required to do this for Easter & Thanksgiving

[jmatkins]

Thanks

Unfortunately I am now required to do this for Easter & Thanksgiving

Hey, I whish I was asked to do it more often. It is a good time to sit outside and enjoy a good cigar and a few drinks while every one else is running around going crazy during the holidays. Or maybe thats just at my house. Plus they don't like it for Turkey day any more since you can't make the giblet gravy.

[caudio51]

Yea, it was nice to be outside, just wish it was warmer. Why can't you make the gravy?

[tedski]

No turkey "drippings" when you fry ...

[caudio51]

ah yea..

[Boppa-Wasch]

Looks like a good idea for Fathers Day Gift............

[cvm4]

I've always bought mine, never fried one myself.

[caudio51]

Just did up some fish & chips

[David]

How did they come out?

[caudio51]

Very good, re-used the oil, breaded the fish in regular bread crumbs, they fried up really fast, the chips were just store bought ones but came out much better than in the over...

I think I might have to do deep fried oreo's next

[Wasch_24]

Looks like a good idea for Fathers Day Gift............
:rofl:

[caudio51]

At least it takes the guess work out of it Todd

[kirscovitch]

we deep fried a whole prime rib one time. it turned out very tasty. injected it with a bunch of marinade. the outside gets kinda crispy but its to die for!!

[Wasch_24]

Good point.

I guess I can keep that box of aged des deuix. :hysterica

[Boppa-Wasch]

Good point.

I guess I can keep that box of aged des deuix. :hysterica
Can smoke em while boiling the bird!!!!!!:thumbsup:

[tobby4]

ha...

and fried oreos

even the thought makes me want to vomit