Since in many cases sense is no common, for anyone thinking of deep frying a turkey, please see the following advice from Consumers Report and UL.
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- Fryers should always be used outdoors a safe distance from buildings and any other material that can burn.
Never use a turkey fryer on a wooden deck or in a garage
Make sure the fryer is used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping
Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls. If you don’t watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
Never let children or pets near the fryer — even after you’ve turned it off. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot for hours after use.
To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer.
Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles. If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.
Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Oil and water don’t mix, and water causes oil to spill over, which could cause a fire or even an explosion (the National Turkey Federation recommends refrigerator thawing and to allow approximately 24 hours for every five pounds of bird thawed in the refrigerator).
Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. Remember to use your best judgment when attempting to fight a fire. If the fire is manageable, use an all-purpose fire extinguisher. If the fire increases, immediately call 911 for help.
- Fryers should always be used outdoors a safe distance from buildings and any other material that can burn.
The weather watch for tomorrow continues.
Table of contents for Deep Fried Turkey
- Thanksgiving Weather Watch Begins
- Deep Frying Turkey Part II
- Deep Fried Turkey Part III
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