How to Safely Fry a Turkey This Holiday Season
The holiday season is in full swing and with it comes a lot of cooking in many American homes. Chickens, lamb, ham, and turkey are popular protein choices for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter celebrations. Every year a large number of Americans dig the deep-fryers out to fry their turkeys. While this is a tradition in some homes and a new endeavor in others, it is important to not that deep-frying turkeys don’t come without risk.
Each year the country sees at least five deaths as a result of deep-fryer accidents, upwards of 60 injuries, and hundreds of homes decimated from fires. These damages are also costly. Deep-fryer accidents come with $15 million expense for related property damage as reported by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). For this reason, the NFPA provides valuable information on how to safely use your deep-fryers so you have an enjoyable family meal to delight in rather than a fire-emergency situation that has the potential to be devastating.
How To Safely Deep-Fry Your Turkey
Extremely hot oil has the potential to explode and because of its volatility thousands of homes burn down each holiday season from fried turkey accidents. Before you get your fryer out, take a look at these tips.
- Make sure you have an ABC fire extinguisher that works and keep it close.
- Protect yourself from popping oil by covering your skin with clothing. Long pants, long-sleeved shirts, gloves, and closed-toe shoes.
- Make sure your turkey is completely thawed before putting it into the oil to prevent combustion.
- Inspect your turkey to ensure you have removed all plastic like thermometers, for instance.
- Cut an opening around the neck to give hot oil a place to escape.
- Get the right gear for lowering the turkey into the oil such as a hook designed to hold a turkey.
- Fry outside away from your home, shed, patio, nothing should be hanging over you or near you including trees.
- Make sure your set-up is stable for the oil to sit on.
- Don’t overfill your pot with oil. First, insert your turkey and then fill with water until 2 inches are on top of the bird. Remove the turkey and mark where the water level is.
- Dry your turkey well.
- Use your thermometer to make sure the oil is in the range of 325-350 degrees and adjust the gas accordingly to get the oil in this range.
- Turn off the burner before very slowly putting your turkey in the pot, if you see any bubbling lift the bird out. You don’t want the oil to overflow.
- Have a designated spot and pan to put your turkey in when it’s finished cooking.
- Make sure the oil is fully cooled after you are finished cooking before you throw it out.
Where To Find Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyers
If you are at a get-together and you sustain injuries because things go south, you may have a case for a personal injury claim. The Phoenix serious injury attorneys can examine the details of your accident situation and advise you on the best way to recoup your expenses.
At ELG, our Arizona personal injury attorneys will provide you with the sound legal representation you need to obtain the most compensation for your injuries. Call ELG today at 623-562-3838 to set up a free consultation with one of our talented attorneys. We have locations for your convenience in both Phoenix and Mesa, Arizona.
