It’s amazing how quickly time flies, isn’t it? At Arizona Garage Door & Repair, we can hardly believe its November, let alone the fact that the Thanksgiving holiday is just 2 very short days away. With Thanksgiving right around the corner – literally – we’re sure you’re probably checking off items on your to-do lists left and right.
If your family is like most, you’re probably all abuzz about the holiday meal, and how to cook this year’s turkey. There is the traditional, oven baked, stuffed turkeys and then there’s the deep fried turkeys. Unfortunately, deep fried turkeys or more accurately the method of ensuring a crispy bird, presents a slew of safety issues.
It is because of these safety issues that the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) actually discourages the use of outdoor gas-fueled turkey fryers. According to them, “the use of turkey fryers by consumers can lead to devastating burns, other injuries, and the destruction of property.”
However, if you’ve set your mind to a crispy bird this holiday season, we at Arizona Garage Door would like to remind you to NEVER FRY A TURKEY INDOORS. Sorry guys, the garage counts as indoors! The danger these fryers present is just not worth the risk. If you’re going to fry the bird, please do it safely outdoors.
Although using a turkey fryer poses significant safety issues, there are actions that can be taken to reduce the occurrence of an accident or injury, including the following safety tips.
#1. Thoroughly read the instructions and abide by them.
#2. Always use your turkey fryer outdoors, away from buildings, as well as away from any flammable materials. Never use fryers on wooden surfaces or in garages! Always place the fryer on a flat, even surface.
#3. Place the liquid propane tank and fryer in an area, so that any existing winds blow the heat of the fryer away from the gas tank. Make sure there is at least 2 feet of space between the liquid propane tank and fryer.
#4. Never leave the fryer unattended. It only takes a few seconds to go from turkey frying to turkey fire! The safest way to ensure the fryer is never left unattended is to enlist the help of a friend or family member. This way should one of you have to run indoors, the other stays out to watch the fryer.
#5. Only use the right amount of oil. There has to be enough room to allow for the turkey to be placed inside. If you overfill the fryer, the hot oil is going to spill over as the turkey is being placed inside, thus placing you in a precarious situation.
Test Run:
Step 1: Place turkey in pot.
Step 2: Fill with water. You want the water the water to be about 1 to 2 inches above the turkey.
Step 3: Remove and dry turkey.
Step 4: Mark water level. Dump water, thoroughly dry the pot, and fill with oil to marked level.
#6. Make sure the turkey is completely thawed before slowly lowering it into the pot of hot oil. The National Turkey Federation states that an average turkey requires approximately 24 hours of thawing time in the refrigerator per every 4 to 5 pounds of bird weight.
#7. Check the oil’s temperature frequently. If you notice the oil beginning to smoke, immediately turn off the gas supply.
#8. Always use well-insulated potholders or over mitts when using a turkey fryer – and, while it may look silly to be sporting them, wear eye googles to protect your eyes.
#9. Raise and lower the food SLOWLY to reduce splatter thus avoiding burns.
#10. Never let children or pets near the fryer at any time. A hot fryer, is still incredibly dangerous!
#11. Make sure the turkey is cooked thoroughly before serving.
#12. If a fire breaks out, never use water to put it out, as this will only worsen the situation. Always be prepared with a fire extinguished nearby (use an ABC Multi-Purpose Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher). If the fire appears unmanageable, call 9-1-1 immediately, rather than fighting it yourself.
