Turkey Fryer

The Cedar Hill Fire Department would like to make the public aware of the dangers associated with the use of Turkey Fryers. The Turkey Fryer has become an extremely popular cooking device to prepare holiday meals. We would like everyone to be aware of the inherent dangers associated with these types of cooking appliances. Please review the safety tips to assure your holiday season is joyful.

Concerns

Many of the concerns involving these turkey fryer devices include:

  • Every holiday season, burn centers in the United States admit and treat people burned while deep frying turkeys. In some cases, the burn victims are children who run into the fryers while playing nearby.
  • Gallons of oil heated in excess of 350 degrees Fahrenheit can quickly ignite if something goes wrong, and house, decks and garages can ignite.
  • Some units do not have automatic thermostat controls to regulate the temperature of the oil, so oil may heat to 350+ degrees and to the point of boiling over and can catch fire.
  • Splattering oil can occur when a frozen turkey is added to five gallons of boiling oil.
  • The sides, lids, and handles can get extremely hot and may cause burns.
  • The units can tip over, spilling hot, scalding oil onto anyone or anything nearby.
  • When the turkey is placed in the hot oil, oil may spill onto the burner, creating a fire.

Important Turkey Fryer Safety Tips

  • Be careful to not overfill your turkey fryer with oil. If overfilled, turkey fryer oil may spill over, engulfing the entire unit and possibly injuring bystanders.
  • Even after you are finished cooking, do not let pets or children near the unit. The oil in the container remains extremely hot for hours after cooking.
  • Make sure an all-purpose extinguisher is handy at all times. Never use water to put out a grease fire. Use common sense when fighting a fire. If it is within reason, use the extinguisher to put it out. If the fire is unmanageable, dial 9-1-1 for emergency assistance.
  • Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful of marinades before placing it in the pot. Excess water in partially frozen turkeys will cause the pot to overflow, resulting in a fire hazard. The National Turkey Federation recommends 24 hours of thawing for every 5 lbs of bird before cooking in a turkey fryer.
  • Most turkey fryers do not come with a thermostat, and if left unattended the unit may overheat the oil, resulting in combustion.
  • Never use turkey fryers on wooden decks or inside garages.
  • Remember the most important safety tip of all: Never leave a turkey fryer unattended.
  • The sides of the cooking pot, lid and handles become very hot, posing a severe burn threat. Before touching the pot, cover your hands with oven mitts or use well-insulated potholders. Whenever possible, use protective eye wear.
  • To reduce the risk of tipping, always place your turkey fryer on a flat surface.
  • Turkey fryers should always be placed outside, a safe distance away from buildings and other combustible materials.