Are turkey fryers worth it?
Once a luxury, turkey fryers form an important part of an average modern kitchen. It is a dedicated turkey-frying tool that makes one’s life a lot easier and worry-free.
First of all, turkey cookers preserve the essence and aroma. It doesn’t let all the moisture and juices evaporate. Instead, it carefully packs it deep within the meat so that you can feel it in every bite.
Turkey fryers also ensure a fully cooked turkey. It heats the oil thoroughly, which means no rawness or overcooked parts. You’ll get the perfect, delicious turkey in each go!
What’s more, turkey frying consumes lesser time than roasting or baking. Generally, a fryer takes almost 30 to 45-minutes. Meanwhile, an oven takes approximately an hour.
These tools also form the perfect solution for outdoor camping and trips. It is a portable, self-contained device. So, it is possible to take it with you to enjoy freshly cooked turkey anywhere!
Which is better: An electric or propane turkey fryer?
Unlike most products, there aren’t many fryer types to evaluate and confuse yourself about. These fryers fall into two simple categories; electric and propane.
In case you’re wondering, the electrical and propane refer to the energy source used to make the fryer work. Electric turkey fryers rely on electrical energy, whereas propane fryers use natural gas resources (propane). So, which is better?
Generally, most people prefer the electric fryers since they’re very convenient to handle. You can place them anywhere without worries.
Electric turkey cookers require minimal preparation too. There’s no need to attach a propane tank or temperature adjustments. Simple, turn on the buttons/knobs, and you’re ready to cook.
Plus, you don’t have to be extremely cautious as with propane ones. When handled inappropriately, propane turkey fryers can catch fire or even explode.
On the other hand, if you’re seeking better control over how your turkey tastes, then propane turkey fryers are the best. These fryers heat the oil quickly. As a result, the turkey soaks up less oil and remains healthy to eat.
You can even experiment with temperature controls to achieve the desired meat type. Thus, propane models make cooking fun.
Features to consider
Once you’ve decided the type, do consider other valuable factors too. These features will enable you to select the best possible turkey fryer in your budget.
Oil or Oil-less?
Recently, many people have switched to oil-less cooking options for better health and diet. It is why you’ll find fryers available in both variants; oil and oil-less.
Oil-less fryers are safe to use. You don’t need to worry about heated oil-burning your hands. However, it does not offer a quality taste. It makes the cooked turkey dry and bland.
So, if taste holds priority, then opt for an oil fryer version. But, if health and safety matter more, then an oil-less fryer should be your go-to option.
Size & Capacity
Turkey fryers come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. You’ll find compact travel versions, medium-sized fryers, and even gigantic ones. The selection depends on how much turkey you cook frequently.
If you cook for a few people, then small to medium-sized turkey fryers will suffice your needs. However, if you need one for days like Thanksgiving, then opt for the large ones.
As for capacity, most fryers allow you to cook one turkey at a time. But, certain models are spacious enough to accommodate 3+ too.
Temperature Control
Temperature control is an absolute must-have feature, especially in oil turkey fryers. These thermostats keep track of the oil temperature. In case it reaches too high, it automatically shuts the heat supply to prevent any damage. Some turkey fryers may include an alarm to alert you too.
Convenience
Apart from all this, examine the controls and setup mechanism of your fryer model. Turkey fryers come with all types of controls, ranging from buttons to digital panels. Opt for one that you find the easiest to handle.
How to clean your turkey fryer
With all that frying, turkey deep fryers tend to get dirty and greasy very quickly. Unclean fryers can harm both your health and cooking.
Reusing an unclean fryer attracts a lot of bacteria and germs. Sometimes, insects may also crawl up to eat the fatty food deposits on the surface-eww!
Also, the turkey fryer loses its efficiency. You’ll find yourself cooking the turkey longer or heating oil to extreme temperatures. Even then, your cooked turkey will come out raw in some areas and overcooked in others.
Hence, you should clean your turkey fryer before and after every use. To clean, gather paper towels, dish soap, scrub pad, and gloves. Follow these steps:
- Empty the turkey fryer so that there’s no oil. Use paper towels to wipe it thoroughly.
- Take out some dish soap onto the scrub pad, squeeze it, and clean the fryer surface.
- Rinse with lukewarm water.
Turkey Fryer FAQS
Can you fry turkeys in the rain?
Although most turkey fryers do come with a lid, do not attempt frying in the rain. Both rain and snow can lead to disasters upon contact with a turkey fryer, especially an electric one. Your fryer may explode, catch fire, or you may even get an electric shock.
So, always fry a turkey or any other thing in a safe environment. It is better to remain indoors, though a non-rainy/snowy day would do too.
How much time does it take for the water to boil?
A turkey fryer has several fun uses, and one of them is boiling water. You can easily boil water in 30-minutes using it. Make sure the turkey fryer has the lid on top if you wish to speed up the process.
Can you cook crawfish in a turkey fryer?
Yes, you can cook crawfish in a turkey fryer. Bring the water to boil, add crawfish, and add some seasonings. You can also cook several different things, such as onions, potatoes, etc.