Turkey Fryer Safety

11/18/2016 (Permalink)

Did you know that every year deep-fryer fires cause more than $15 million in property damage?

SERVPRO of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties wants to make sure you have all the information necessary to stay safe this holiday season.

Turkey Frying Safety Tips

• Keep Your Distance

  • Stay 10 feet away from the house, deck, garage, trees, or other structures.

  • The tank and burner should be 2 feet apart, if using a propane-powered fryer.

• Thaw and Dry the Turkey

  • Make sure there are no ice crystals or water beads on the bird.

• Always Be Prepared

  • Protect your eyes by wearing goggles and your hands and arms with oven mitts.

  • Have fire extinguisher ready.

  • Don’t let kids or pets nearby. Never leave fryers unattended.

• Do Not Overfill

  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how much to fill the fryer.

• Size Matters

  • In this case, larger turkeys (greater than 12 pounds) don’t do as well as smaller ones. The idea size is an 8 to 10 pound bird.

• Don’t Fry Rain or Shine

  • Keep an eye on the weather. Fryers should never be used in rain or snowy conditions.

• Stay Level

  • Find a level surface to place the fryer. Once it is in use, do not move it.

• Timing is Everything

  • Keep an eye on the oil temperature. If it starts smoking, turn it off or it will catch fire.

  • Do not have the burner on while lowering the bird into the oil. Wait until after the turkey is in place to turn the burner on. 

  • After the bird is removed, cover the pot of oil and allow it to cool overnight before doing anything else with it.

• Don’t Stuff

  • As much as you may love stuffing your bird with Thanksgiving goodness, you’ll have to pass this year if you want to fry it.

  • Avoid marinades that are water-based.

Please exercise caution this holiday season, and if you are friends with "that guy," share with him, too.

And remember, if you do become a victim of a deep-fryer fire, SERVPRO of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties is here to help.