Turkey Fryer Safety
With Thanksgiving right around the corner we are all making plans for the holiday. One of the most important aspects of Thanksgiving is the food, with turkey being a requirement. In recent years we have strayed away from the traditional baked turkey and begun to explore the delicious results of frying a turkey. When done right a fried turkey is moist and full of flavor, but the process to get it there can be a very dangerous one.
Before you decide to fry a turkey this holiday make sure that you educate yourself on the dangers and take all necessary precautions to stay safe. Let’s start with a list of the dangers that operating a turkey fryer poses.
Fryers are typically not built very sturdy and become top heavy when filled with oil. Hot oil could spill or splash out causing serious injury to the operator.
The oil must be heated to temperatures of 350° F or more. Cooking oil is combustible and the vapors can ignite if heated above a certain temperature.
Most turkey fryers are propane fueled. If used in the rain or snow the liquid hitting the hot oil will result in steam which can cause the propane vapors to ignite and cause significant burns or even a fire.
If a partially frozen turkey is added to the hot oil it will produce steam which can lead to flare ups resulting in serious burns or a fire.
Now that you understand some of the dangers which exist when using a turkey fryer let’s look at some safety tips on how you can prevent these dangers from happening.
1. Keep outdoor fryers off of decks, out of garages, and a safe distance away from trees and other structures.
2. Watch the weather. Never operate a fryer in the rain or snow.
3. Make sure the turkey is fully thawed before cooking.
4. Leave two feet between the tank and the burner when using a propane fueled fryer.
5. Do not over fill the pot with oil. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s directions.
6. Never leave a fryer unattended.
7. Purchase a turkey fryer that has temperature controls.
8. Make sure that you prepare the turkey properly for the fryer. (Skip the stuffing.)
9. Keep children and pets away from the fryer at all times.
10. Keep a fire extinguisher close. Wear oven mitts and goggles when getting close to the hot fryer.
Each year on Thanksgiving the number of house fires is nearly double that of any other day. Most of these fires are caused by improper use of turkey fryers. The National Fire Protection Association urges that you choose to buy a fried turkey from a grocery store, specialty food store, or restaurant rather than attempt to make one yourself. Another option is to use one of the new “oil-less” fryer. Should you decide to fry a turkey this Thanksgiving keep the dangers it poses in mind and make sure that you take safety precautions to ensure that you, your family, and your home are safe for the holiday.
Should you experience a turkey fryer fire, or other food related fire, remember that ServiceMaster is here for you. We are available 24/7/365 to give you peace of mind when a disaster occurs in your home or place of business. Just call 770.720.9533 for assistance.
