Yesterdays post about the fire at the Olympic Shop reminded us that during the holidays we should remind folks about the dangers of deep frying a turkey. Every year there seems to be a report of some poor soul whose frying incident goes awry. From the Underwriters Labratory website comes this warning and advice.
Here’s why using a deep-fryer can be dangerous:
- With no thermostat controls, the units also have the potential to overheat the oil to the point of combustion.
- Many units easily tip over, spilling the hot oil within the cooking pot.
- If the cooking pot is overfilled with oil, the oil may spill out of the unit when the turkey is placed into the cooking pot.
- Oil may hit the burner/flames causing a fire to engulf the entire unit.Partially frozen turkeys placed into the fryer can cause a spillover effect. This too, may result in an extensive fire.
If you absolutely must use a turkey fryer, here are some tips for safer use:
- Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors a safe distance from buildings and any other material that can burn.
- Never use turkey fryers on wooden decks or in garages.
- Make sure the fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.
- Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls. If you don’t watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
- Never let children or pets near the fryer when in use. Even after use, never allow children or pets near the turkey fryer. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot, hours after use.
- To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer.
- Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles. If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.
- Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Oil and water don’t mix, and water causes oil to spill over, causing a fire or even an explosion hazard.
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