Looking for a Turkey Fryer

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rowdyrawhide

Smoking Fanatic
Original poster
Jul 24, 2010
372
19
Topeka, KS
I am going to fry a turkey this year, and thought I would ask if anybody has suggestions on a fryer.  I will only use it once or twice a year for turkey and probably use it a dozen or so times for fish fry's.  Found one for about fifty bucks at wally world, if anyone has one cheaper somewhere let me know.  I appreciate any input thanks.
 
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considering the danger factor I would go with an electric fryer... Went through the fried tukey phase with the propane and deffinatley is dangerous ...... One small mistake and you'll have a blaze

Good luck

Joe
 
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Breifly looked at the electric fryers, but wondered how easy the are to clean up especially around the elements.  They looked like they could be a real pain, at least the ones I saw.  Still kinda leanin towards a gasser, plus I can keep the smell out side, no matter what the weather.  Still would listen to peoples' experience with the electric ones though, haven't ruled that out.

Thanks 

Aaron
 
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I would for sure get an electric.

Take a look at you tube for turkey frying accidents and read up about it some..

Craig
 
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I've been frying turkeys for the past 6 Thanksgivings. I think the brand I use is " Bayou Classic" .  Its a propane fryer and she's been good to me over the years. Good quality product. I use it all year round for seafood boils, corn pot, fish fries..... I'm pretty sure I bought her at Home Depot.

The best tips I can Give you are

1. make sure you have the correct amount of oil in it......do a test fit with water and mark the pot for the proper oil level.

2. The turkey HAS to be thawed.....NO FROZEN TURKEYS....they explode (check u-tube)

3. When you are placing the turkey in the fryer go nice and slow. This avoids the over flow of the hot oil.

4. watch oil temps keep it right at 300-350 or as close as you can.

5 And finally cook times are crucial with a fryer.  3 to 3.5 min per pound. 20 lbs turkey in about and hour.

This is the best turkey you will ever have......although I have never smoked one.....This is the first year for that. I usually do 2 turkeys every Thanksgiving. 1 traditional and 1 fried. Never have any leftovers of the fried. This year I'm doing a smoked turkey not sure witch one I'm taking off the menu.

Good luck

Dave
 
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>>>>>>3. When you are placing the turkey in the fryer go nice and slow. This avoids the over flow of the hot oil.

  What I have read and seen is put the turkey in the bucket and fill it with water and measure how much went in to prevent overflows..

  Craig
 
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Breifly looked at the electric fryers, but wondered how easy the are to clean up especially around the elements.  They looked like they could be a real pain, at least the ones I saw.  Still kinda leanin towards a gasser, plus I can keep the smell out side, no matter what the weather.  Still would listen to peoples' experience with the electric ones though, haven't ruled that out.

Thanks 

Aaron
Aaron...Which takes more time to Clean?  An Electric Fryer...or...Smoke and Water damage from a Grease Fire!.... I'm sure you are not an Idiot, you are here checking these out, and can use a Propane Fryer Safely...BUT...Stuff Happens...! Are the RISKS really worth the clean up time for 2-3 Turkeys or Fish Frys a year....Yes Thousands of people fry turkeys every year, without incidence...But, Hundred are Severly Burned or Die...Not Worth the risks of Propane...Just one Paranoid Chefs opinion!...JJ
 
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The   Bayou classic is a good rig . The wal mart special is the bayou classic . Like others say ,SAFETY is the biggest factor in frying turkey. Make sure and know your oil level needed to cover the turkey. DO NOT fry near any structure or on a wooden deck or patio. Use 2 people and a pipe or broom handle to load the turkey in the fryer. That way, no one is standing over the fryer in case of  oil splash or flame up.

 Try Smofried turkey, Smoke for 2 hrs and then straight into the oil.
 
The propane fryers seem to be much more versatile for steaming seafood, brewing beer etc... I think the dangers associated with a few gallons of potentially flaming oil can be averted with fastidious attention to detail. Alton Brown's "Turkey Derick" rig made of a ladder and some rope really seems like overkill, until you consider the fact that it gets you out of the way in case there is a flame up. I'd think the most important thing would be to get the whole shootin' match away from the house and BE CAREFUL!!! I'd also look into renting if this is something you might only use once or twice. We rented a propane seafood steamer (essentially the same thing) for a party once and I think it cost us $30-$40 for a 2 day rental. They even brought a propane tank.
 
I have fried turkeys for about 9 years now.  I moved from the propane one to an indoor electric and have not looked back.  Masterbuilt has a great one they market under the Butterball name.  The one I use is   it is on sale at Academy for $50.  I did not like the open flame of the propane fryers and this is a great alternative.  Get yourself a good glove and make sure the turkey is fully defrosted and dry when you drop it in.  I like smoked turkey as well but my wife loves the fried ones.  

P.S.  I still cook my turkeys outside on a picnic table even though it says indoor fryer.  
 
>>>>>>3. When you are placing the turkey in the fryer go nice and slow. This avoids the over flow of the hot oil.

  What I have read and seen is put the turkey in the bucket and fill it with water and measure how much went in to prevent overflows..

  Craig
What you are saying is tip #1. But when you put a room temp turkey into 350 deg. oil it bubbles up (moisture in the turkey I guess). This is the reason you need to go very slow when submerging the turkey in the fryer.

I like the idea of a pole and 2 people to lower the turkey in. A 20 lbs turkey gets kinda heavy....lol

Dave
 
What you are saying is tip #1. But when you put a room temp turkey into 350 deg. oil it bubbles up (moisture in the turkey I guess). This is the reason you need to go very slow when submerging the turkey in the fryer.

I like the idea of a pole and 2 people to lower the turkey in. A 20 lbs turkey gets kinda heavy....lol

Dave
I would never fry a 20 pound bird.  I like to fry the 12 and under birds makes for a much easier experience.  
 
What you are saying is tip #1. But when you put a room temp turkey into 350 deg. oil it bubbles up (moisture in the turkey I guess). This is the reason you need to go very slow when submerging the turkey in the fryer.

I like the idea of a pole and 2 people to lower the turkey in. A 20 lbs turkey gets kinda heavy....lol

Dave
Oops!!

  I just watched Altons videos...kinda funny..

I have all the gear to fry turkeys.....havent done one yet as my luck runs towards the bad side in this kind of endeavor.

I will prolly buy one of the masterbuilt fryers on sale today and use it for fish and other stuff besides turkey.

Craig
 
 
I have fried turkeys for about 9 years now.  I moved from the propane one to an indoor electric and have not looked back.  Masterbuilt has a great one they market under the Butterball name.  The one I use is   it is on sale at Academy for $50.  I did not like the open flame of the propane fryers and this is a great alternative.  Get yourself a good glove and make sure the turkey is fully defrosted and dry when you drop it in.  I like smoked turkey as well but my wife loves the fried ones.  

P.S.  I still cook my turkeys outside on a picnic table even though it says indoor fryer.  


Hey ECTO I like the looks of that one!  I like the way the element and everything pull out for cleaning.  I'm starting to lean towards that.
 
I would never fry a 20 pound bird.  I like to fry the 12 and under birds makes for a much easier experience.  


Freebies from Waldbaums. Every Thanksgiving they give up to 21 lbs turkey to customers.  The strange thing is, the average weight is between 19 & 21 lbs. I would much rather a smaller bird, but when its free.....who's going to complain.  This year they are not giving away turkeys so I bought 2  14-16 pounders.
 
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Quick update:

 I was able to order the Masterbuilt Cajun Injector Electric fryer from academy.....The one ECTO1 recommended. It was $68 with shipping and it arrived yesterday. Looks like a great piece of equipment. I cant wait to give it a try this weekend.

Dave
 
Turkey fryers go on sale around here every year about this time. I would check all of your local hardware stores such as Lowes, Home Depot, Fleet Farm, etc. You can usually find a sale at one of those places. I think I picked mine up for around $30 a few  years back and I actually picked up two of them because I knew I wanted to use one of the stands/burners for my propane shack. If you don't have those stores close to you check them out online a lot of times if they have a good enough sale you can save enough money to have it shipped to your house and still be cheaper then what you see at one of your local stores.
 
I got the masterbuilt pro series butterball fryer ..ordered it from amazom ...free shipping.

Just did a test drive with it ..made some frenchfries...blanched first at 225 then cranked it up to 375.

Did great...will fry a few more things before I put the turkey in next week.

Almost forgot the picture...

Craig

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