• Hi Guest - Come check out all of the new CP Merch Shop! Now you can support CigarPass buy purchasing hats, apparel, and more...
    Click here to visit! here...

Turkey Fryer ...

Blue Dragon

Can't Re-Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2005
Messages
2,101
I have been wanting to fry a turkey for several years now and have never taken the plunge. I was in Cost Co the other day and they have an oil-less turkey fryer. Now frying w/o any oil didn't make any sense to me, but it does look intriguing.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11301327

So, has anyone used one of these radiant heat fryers? And are their any turkey fryers that someone can recommend?

TIA!
- C
 
I have been wanting to fry a turkey for several years now and have never taken the plunge. I was in Cost Co the other day and they have an oil-less turkey fryer. Now frying w/o any oil didn't make any sense to me, but it does look intriguing.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11301327

So, has anyone used one of these radiant heat fryers? And are their any turkey fryers that someone can recommend?

TIA!
- C

Don't use it in your basement!!! :sign:
 
I have never used that particular model but I fry my turkey every year and its the best. As stated don't do it in the basement, do it outside or in your garage. Make sure the bird is DRY and don't overfill the fryer with oil (if using oil) you can always add oil after the bird is in if needed.

That does seem expensive to me, a normal fryer would only run you around $50-$60, just a mess to clean when your done.
 
I'm not sold on the whole I.R. cooking method. That fryer would be similiar in theory to the "Flavor Wave".

As far as a oiler fryer, you can always make your own. All you need is a large heavy pot, a stable base, and output burner. You also need a high temp thermometer to measure oil temp. If you google "Good Eats Turkey Fry" you come up with a three part YT video, that has Alton Brown constructing one (and a turkey frying derrick).

If you just want to buy one off the shelf my recommendation would be propane, electric models have a heating element that has a hard time bring oil back up to temp. after putting in cold turkey. One with a high BTU burner will recover quicker, also a heavier gauge pot will hold/distribute heat easier. The thing with propane is many models require you to maintain the heat level yourself (most electic models have a built in thermometer).

There are plenty of articles on how to fry a turkey. You can always put the turkey in the pot, fill it with water till covered. Then take the turkey out and make a mark where water level is. As stated before make sure your bird is dry, have a lid handy, and don't do it indoors, that includes your garage. Really these things aren't that dangerous if your IQ is above 60. Hot oil burns if exposed to an open flame, just make sure that doesn't happen.

I've fried a number of them and never had a problem.

Brandon
 
Frying is O.K, but no matter what method you use to cook, you should brine the bird first. That locks in the moisture, and you get a very moist bird.
 
I used to fry them for 5 or 6 people in the neighborhood. I used a propane burner with a medium sized pot from WalMart. I used peanut oil, as it makes the bird taste better and doesn't burn as easy when frying so many birds. I also used a cajun injector for seasoning. Oh yeah, do not try to fry a frozen bird.

Ken
 
I have an electric model I got off QVC which is nice since it has a drain spout. They are very easy to do, just make sure you where a mit and long sleeves when putting it in. I do mine in the garage with the door open which some don't reccomend, but its worked the past 4 years for me. Plus I have a hook in the ceiling that I run a truck tie down through for an easier time of lowering and raising the turkey.
 
It's already been said but I'll say it again- DO NOT use a propane turkey fryer indoors- this includes the garage, covered deck etc.. My other career is insurance. At a company meeting they were reviewing claims and the #1 claim for homeowners was fires started by turkey fryers being used indoors.

If it is snowing or raining and you want to fry a turkey, put up a pop up canopy far enough away from your house so if something goes wrong your house will not burn down.
 
I never used to fry a turkey but having a wife from Louisiana changed that.. Here a few tips I have learned over the last few years..

  • Thaw the bird thoroughly.
  • Inject and rub the bird the night before and place it in a large trash sack to marinade overnight.
  • Use 100% peanut oil (unless someone is alergic). I have tried some 50/50 oil blends and they just aren't as good.
  • Before you cook, fill the fryer pot with water and place the bird that is still in the trash bag in the fryer to gauge the correct amount of oil needed to fry and not overflow.
  • Once the oil is hot and ready, turn the flame off when you lower in the bird in case of overflow.
  • This is THE most important.. Frying a bird requires constant supervision so you must stay there and smoke and drink while it cooks.
 
I have a friend that owns an oiless fryer and he swears by it. He has two or three with oil and often cooks for large numbers. I have eaten turkeys he has cooked in both and I like the oiless fried turkey the best.

The bird tastes better, the mess is less and the fire danger drops down to something similar to a gas grill.
 
[*]This is THE most important.. Frying a bird requires constant supervision so you must stay there and smoke and drink while it cooks.
[/list]

Well, in that case, you just talked me into it! :sign:

Linen's and Things is going out of business and had 2 Masterbuilt Turkey Fryers left slashed 40%. So I bit the bullet. Now I just need to test out the damn thing and make sure to follow the most important rule! :thumbs:
 
[*]This is THE most important.. Frying a bird requires constant supervision so you must stay there and smoke and drink while it cooks.
[/list]

Well, in that case, you just talked me into it! :sign:

Linen's and Things is going out of business and had 2 Masterbuilt Turkey Fryers left slashed 40%. So I bit the bullet. Now I just need to test out the damn thing and make sure to follow the most important rule! :thumbs:

A guy I know uses those and they work well. Kind of takes the fun out of it IMO. The old coat hanger method is where it's at...old school. :thumbs:
 
Top