The 10 Best Turkey Fryers in 2022

It’s not only for Thanksgiving anymore! If you often prepare big roasts or boil or steam huge amounts of food, the turkey fryer is an excellent addition to your kitchen equipment. There are two kinds of turkey fryers: traditional outdoor fryers powered by gas or electricity, and interior electrical fryers.

There are also oil-free types available, which may be used inside or outdoors and are perfect if you need to reduce your fat intake. This study not only examines a variety of the finest turkey fryers, but it also examines the pros and disadvantages of the various kinds of fryers and provides suggestions on cooking your turkey safely.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Turkey Fryer

Cooking Turkey Safely

When purchasing a new turkey fryer, it may be beneficial to purchase it far ahead of time so that you have time to do several test cooking. This means not just learning how it works, but also, more significantly, learning how it cooks.

This may also lessen the chance of plugging in the fryer on Thanksgiving and discovering it isn’t operating correctly, forcing you to switch on the oven to salvage the turkey for a late-night supper.

Even with indoor fryers, safety equipment like as heatproof gloves and appropriate footwear are required, and a turkey fryer or cooker should never be left unattended. It’s also a good idea to have a fire extinguisher certified for flammable substances on hand.

Because of its high flash point, which makes it less prone to catch fire, peanut oil is preferred for use in turkey fryers. It also has a greater smoking point, which provides a pleasant taste, and it can be re-used many times before it has to be discarded, which is beneficial since it is more costly than other kinds of oil. Peanut oil is also devoid of cholesterol.

Deep frying turkey may be done in any cooking oil with a smoke point higher than 425F. Corn oil exceeds this, while canola oil has a smoke point of just 400F, making it inappropriate.

For effective cooking, keep the oil at 350°F. If your fryer does not come with a thermometer, or if it does but you want additional assurance, a deep fat clip on oil thermometer, as well as a high quality and long probed meat thermometer, are recommended investments.

The quantity of oil required in the fryer may vary, but a 9lb bird will need 3 to 4 gallons, a 14lb bird about 5 gallons, and a 20lb plus up to 6 gallons. since turkeys grow in size, it’s a good idea to separate the white and dark flesh for frying, since there’s a danger of scorching the exterior and leaving the interior uncooked.

To limit the danger of foodborne disease, turkey should always be cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165F. If you use a turkey fryer, utilize a fresh and dry non-frozen turkey, since the USDA advises that frozen turkeys be cooked from frozen for food safety. Frying a frozen turkey will cause it to burst and catch fire.

Once the turkey has reached a safe internal temperature and you’ve finished your meal, split leftovers into smaller parts and store in shallow containers in the refrigerator or freezer.

If you refrigerate cooked turkey, it should be eaten within three to four days, and if you freeze it, it should be eaten within two to six months. If you reheat leftover turkey, it must also achieve a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before serving.

Using a Propane Fryer

A propane fryer should always be used outside, and since it is fueled by propane, it may be placed away from the home, keeping the cooking fragrance outside. It should also be placed well away from any decks, trees, roofs, or other combustible materials. However, since it is an outside fryer, it will be affected by inclement weather.

If you have an oil-filled propane turkey fryer, keep the propane tank upright and as far away from the fryer as feasible. If you do not already have one, you should get one to ensure that you have adequate fuel to complete your cooking.

If you use an oil-free propane turkey fryer, you should keep the top off during cooking since the cover might cause the oil to overheat and dry up the flesh. If you want a crispy finish, cover the fryer for the final 15 minutes of cooking time.

The Electric Fryer

Choosing an electric fryer might alleviate some of the anxiety that some of us may have around gas burners! It is primarily intended for inside usage, but it may be really useful if the weather is terrible on Thanksgiving if you do not have enough outside cooking area.

Oil fryers contain a thermostat to assist keep the temperature steady, as well as an auto shut off feature if the oil temperature rises too high. Many have built-in timers as well.

Oil fryers often serve as boilers and steamers, allowing you to prepare a range of items all year.

The Difference Between Oil and Oil-Less Turkey Cooking

The biggest downside of cooking without oil is that it does not provide the usual fried and crispy turkey that many of us like. This may also be advantageous, particularly for those of us who need to reduce our fat intake, since oil-free cooking requires just a little grease on the bird.

The oil-free fryer also enables us to utilize the drippings for gravy and season the meat to our liking. It saves money on oil and, unlike an oil fryer, does not take long to heat up, albeit it does take longer to cook than an oil-based fryer. Some oil-free fryers may also be used inside.

Conclusion

We hope that our study has assisted you in weighing the benefits of indoor or outdoor fryers and deciding whether you want to buy in a classic oil fryer or one of the newer types of oil-less cookers, as well as providing some helpful recommendations for safe turkey fryer usage.

If you are preparing for a large family Thanksgiving, want to fry 8lb of chicken wings for a neighborhood barbeque, or even boil up some lobster or corn on the cob, then using the best turkey fryer is the perfect way to ensure that these and more are cooked properly with minimal fuss and mess.