Deep-Fry Turkey Safety Tips

11/25/2020 (Permalink)

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time for family and friends to come together. As with any cooking, there is a risk for fire damage to occur.  One risky, but also equally tasty Thanksgiving tradition is deep frying your turkey.  It produces extra juicy meat and has a crispy skin that everyone loves.  But turkey fryers pose serious fire risk if not handled properly.  If this is the way that you will be frying your turkey this year, follow these tips to keep your family and home safe this holiday.

• Always keep fryers a safe distance away from trees and other structures.
• Make sure the turkey is fully thawed and dry before cooking. Ice or water that mixes into the hot oil can cause flare-ups.
• Place the fryer on a level surface, and avoid moving it once it's in use.

• Follow the manufacturer's instructions to avoid overfilling. Oil can ignite when it makes contact with the burner.
• Choose a smaller turkey for frying. A bird that's 8 to 10 pounds is best; pass on turkeys over 12 pounds.
• Never leave fryers unattended.
• If you notice the oil is smoking, turn the fryer off.
• Turn off the burner before lowering the turkey into the oil. Once the turkey is submerged, turn the burner on.
• DO NOT use water or a garden hose on a fire related to Turkey Fryers.
• Keep children and pets away from the fryer at all times.
• Once finished, carefully remove the pot from the burner, place it on a level surface and cover to let the oil cool overnight before disposing.

If you do happen to have any fire or smoke damage, please call SERVPRO of Stamford as soon as possible.  We have over 30 years of experience remediating this type of damage.