The use of turkey fryers is considered a serious injury and fire risk because:
- As the turkey is placed in the hot oil, oil may spill from the fryer onto the burner, causing a fire.
- Turkey fryers can easily tip over, spilling the hot oil onto anyone nearby.
- Most turkey fryers do not have an automatic thermostat control. ...
- Turkey fryers, including the lid and handles, get extremely hot and can easily cause burns.
Why do turkey fryers explode?
Why Turkey Fryers Explode. Cooking your turkey in a fryer means submerging it in 3 to 5 gallons (11 to 19 liters) of hot oil, which can cause all kinds of accidents and burns. Here's why: Cooking oils have specific temperatures called smoke points, at which the oil breaks down, starts to smoke and releases airborne compounds.
Can you really cook a Turkey in a deep fryer?
But there is a downside: explosions. Three times more cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving than on any other day of the year, according to the National Fire Prevention Association. Cooking your turkey in a fryer means submerging it in 3 to 5 gallons (11 to 19 liters) of hot oil, which can cause all kinds of accidents and burns.
How dangerous is it to cook a Turkey on Thanksgiving?
Three times more cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving than on any other day of the year, according to the National Fire Prevention Association. Cooking your turkey in a fryer means submerging it in 3 to 5 gallons (11 to 19 liters) of hot oil, which can cause all kinds of accidents and burns.
Can You overfill a deep fryer with oil?
This can cause the oil to bubble over and if an oil particle makes contact with a flame — boom — you're in trouble. To stay safe, don't overfill your fryer with oil and monitor your oil temperature while heating. Also, make sure to thaw your turkey completely and pat it dry before plunging it in.
What causes turkey fryer fires?
As the turkey is placed in the hot oil, oil may spill from the fryer onto the burner, causing a fire. Turkey fryers can easily tip over, spilling the hot oil onto anyone nearby.
What do you do if your turkey fryer catches on fire?
Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touch pot or lid handles.Wear safety goggles to protect eyes from oil splatter.Use fire extinguisher to put out fire.Do NOT use water to put out the fire (oil + water do not mix!)
How many fires are caused by turkey fryers?
U.S. fire departments respond to more than 1,000 fires involving deep fryers each year, resulting in an average of five deaths, 60 injuries, the destruction of 900 homes and more than $15 million in property damage, according to the NFPA.
Are turkey fryers safe?
The Cosumnes Fire Department warns that cooking with deep fat turkey fryers can be very dangerous as they have a high risk of tipping over, overheating, spilling hot oil, and could lead to fires, burns, or other injuries. If a turkey fryer fire occurs, call 911 immediately.
How do you stop a deep fryer fire?
Turn off the heat source. If it's small and manageable, pour baking soda or salt on it to smother the fire. As a last resort, spray the fire with a Class B dry chemical fire extinguisher. Do not try to extinguish the fire with water.
How do you put out a turkey grease fire?
You don't have to fear grease fires this holiday season....Follow these steps:Turn off the heat source. This way, the fire won't get worse.Cover the grease fire with the heavy metal lid. ... Dump salt or baking soda on the fire. ... If the fire gets worse, use your Class B fire extinguisher. ... If all else fails, call 9-1-1.
What if it rains while frying a turkey?
Because fryers are designed for the outdoors (don't even think about deep-frying a turkey inside), it's exposed to the elements—rain or snow falling into the oil can create splatter and excruciatingly hot steam.
Can you use a turkey fryer in the rain?
Make sure the turkey is thawed and dry before cooking. Ice or water that mixes into the hot oil can cause flare-ups. Watch the weather. Never operate a fryer outdoors in the rain or snow.
Can you use a turkey fryer in a garage?
Never use the turkey fryer on a wooden deck, in a garage, under any awnings, or near a wooden structure. The fryer should always be used a safe distance away from the home or attached buildings. 3. Keep the fryer away from all flammable and combustible materials like gas grills and vehicles.
Are indoor turkey fryers safe?
Electric turkey fryers can be used indoors and tend to be a safer option than propane fryers. There's no open flame or scalding hot oil here! Similar to deep fryers, electric turkey fryers use an adjustable heating element to heat up oil and cook your turkey.
How far away from your house should you fry a turkey?
Stay Away from The House – Set up the turkey fryer more than 10 feet away from your home and keep children and pets away. Never leave it unattended. Find Flat Ground – The oil must be even and steady at all times to ensure safety. Place the fryer on a flat, level surface and carefully gauge the amount of oil needed.
What kind of fire is a deep fat fryer?
Class KClass K – Fires involving vegetable oil products. Commercial deep fat cooking operations using vegetable oils as a frying medium must now have a K rated portable extinguisher.
How much do deep fryers cost?
Deep fryers can cost as little as $30 up to around $700 for a commercial grade appliance. This includes double vat fryers in the higher end of the range. We'll take a look at a range of different deep fryers from simple countertop models to more deluxe free-standing models.
Understanding density
Density is how much an object weighs given a specific volume. For example, imagine you held an ice cube in one hand and a marshmallow in the other. While they are roughly the same size, the ice cube is heavier: It is more dense.
Frozen turkeys are filled with water
Frozen turkeys – or any kind of frozen meats, for that matter – contain a lot of ice. Raw meat can be anywhere from 56% to 73% water. If you have ever thawed a frozen piece of meat, you have probably seen all the liquid that comes out.
Disclosure statement
Kristine Nolin does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
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