We've all heard that deep-frying is the tastiest and fastest way to cook a turkey. So, you want to try it, but you don't want to go down in family lore as the one who caused a Thanksgiving disaster. There are so many options to consider - should you get a propane or electric fryer? Stainless steel or aluminum? And what extra features do you need?
We're here to give you a rundown on what you should be looking for in our handy buying guide: the power source, the material, the size, and all the extra features. We've got a list of seven of our favorite products, such as Masterbuilt's Butterball Fryer, known to accommodate big turkeys. There's also a buying guide at the end to help you in your search for the right turkey fryer.
Quick List - Top Turkey Fryers
Masterbuilt
An Electric Fryer That Can Accommodate a 20-Pound Turkey
Bayou Classic
An Upright Oil Fryer for Turkey, Chicken and More
Jim Quast (JQ) is a lifelong professional restaurant and corporate R&D chef who loves everything food-related and the tools, both big and small, to make those great food memories. He's a super huge BBQ, grill, and kitchen gadget fanatic. JQ has spent the last 30+ years trying to figure out what works to make your kitchen life easier and fun. If you can use it to slice it, dice it, cook it, smoke it, or store it, he's been there checking it out. Food = Life!
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Frying a turkey isn't exactly the safest endeavor, but it can save you a lot of cooking time and space that you could be using to cook your many Thanksgiving side dishes. Choosing a fryer that fits your environment, turkey size, and budget will help narrow down possible candidates.
Most turkey fryers use either propane or electricity as their source of power. Here are the pros and cons of each type.
Propane fryers require you to connect the fryer to a propane tank with a hose. Since propane and high heat are involved, this should only be used outdoors. And since they can only be used outdoors, you need to consider the weather and whether you have enough space to use the fryer safely.
They can get the frying job done pretty quickly since the oil heats up fast, but many people find it hard to control the temperature of a propane fryer. There have been cases of the oil heating up to combustion, so only someone who’s used to frying should use a propane fryer.
If this is your first turkey frying journey, we’d highly recommend an electric fryer. They are often safer than propane fryers since many come with a breakaway cord that disconnects in the event of accidental tipping or oil spills.
Electric fryers can be used both outdoors and indoors, so the weather isn’t an issue as long as you have a safe place to do your frying job. They also tend to come with more helpful features like thermometers and automatic shut-off timers.
Turkey fryers are generally made with either stainless steel or aluminum. Stainless steel fryers tend to be more expensive, but they are easier to clean, and they tend to last longer than fryers made of other materials.
The most common alternative to stainless steel is aluminum. It's a more lightweight option that isn't heavy on the pocketbook, either. One thing to note with this material is that it is thinner and more pliable than stainless steel. Users have complained of the metal bending, getting dents, or charring at the bottom where the fire makes contact.
Unless this is your first attempt at cooking a Thanksgiving turkey or you're cooking for a new crowd this year, you've probably already decided what kind of turkey you're going to get and how much time you have to cook it. These are both critical factors to consider when looking at fryers.
The maximum capacity of a turkey fryer should be listed in the product description. Check this before making your purchase and compare it to the size of your Thanksgiving turkey.
We recommend buying a fryer with a slightly higher capacity than you need, so if you’re buying a turkey that’s 12 pounds, consider a fryer that can handle up to a 15-pounder. This allows for extra room in the fryer for your turkey to cook, and it also helps prevent accidental oil spills.
Part of the appeal of frying a turkey is a shorter cooking time than a conventional oven. For instance, some fryers can cook a 15-pound turkey in an hour, while others take two hours to cook a 12-pound one. If you’re considering an electric fryer, you can find how fast you can cook a turkey by reading customer reviews or looking at the product’s wattage.
Frying a turkey isn’t exactly the safest endeavor, but some features can make or break a safe Thanksgiving. Look for a fryer with features like a built-in thermometer, a vented lid to prevent overheating, an automatic shut-off timer, and more.
Other useful features like a nonstick coating and oil drain holes can make cleanup much easier and safer as well. You can also consider fryers that come with essential accessories such as frying racks, skewers, and steaming baskets to make your frying experience more convenient.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Masterbuilt Butterball Indoor Electric Turkey Fryer, XL|23011114 | ![]() | An Electric Fryer That Can Accommodate a 20-Pound Turkey | |
2 | Char-Broil The Big Easy Oil-Less Turkey Fryer|17102065 | ![]() | An Oil-Less Propane Turkey Fryer | |
3 | Bayou Classic 32-Quart Stainless Steel Turkey Fryer|1118 | ![]() | An Upright Oil Fryer for Turkey, Chicken and More | |
4 | GasOne Propane Burner With Steamer Pot|B-5155 | ![]() | Great for Frying Small Turkeys | |
5 | Presto Profry Electric Rotisserie Turkey Fryer|05487 | ![]() | A Fryer for Smaller Turkeys | |
6 | Cuisinart Extra-Large Rotisserie Deep Fryer|CDF-500 | ![]() | A Turkey Fryer for Everyday Use | |
7 | King Kooker Portable Propane Outdoor Deep Frying/Boiling Package|1265BF3 | ![]() | Fry Poultry With This Aluminum Set That Includes a Recipe Booklet |
This bestselling fryer is popular for a reason. It's safe, has helpful features, and is electric. This particular model includes a digital timer and an indicator light that turns green when the oil is heated to the set temperature. You can fry a 20-pound turkey, boil seafood, or steam veggies with this machine.
We also like that it has a breakaway cord, so if there are any oil splashes, they won't pose a threat to you or your surroundings. Some reviewers said an oily sheen was left on everything when finished, but many more said the included oil drain valve was helpful in the inevitably messy cleanup process.
Some reviewers said the indicator light didn't work or the oil took way too long to heat up, but even first-time turkey fryers were comfortable with using this product. This would be perfect for beginners that want to stay as safe and clean as possible.
This fryer comes with a meat thermometer that can help you know when the turkey is just right. And the best part? It doesn't use oil. That means fewer calories and less clean-up for everyone! That's how easy it is to get juicy on the inside and crispy on the inside results with this device.
Since it's a propane fryer, only someone who's used to cooking with propane outdoors should use it, but even then, it's easy to figure out. Some reviewers complained that the unit doesn't heat the bottom of the turkey or the top, while a few had issues with assembly or getting it to ignite.
Meanwhile, many reviewers were satisfied with the crispy skin created and the amount of time it took to cook. If you're looking for the best propane fryer, this is the one. It's very versatile and easy to use, said reviewers.
If you're chasing that image of frying a giant turkey in your backyard and being the hero of Thanksgiving, Bayou Classic can help. The 32-quart pot can fry a turkey up to 18 pounds, and even comes with a meat thermometer. Set it up with your propane stove, and the stainless steel pot can withstand up to 750 degrees Fahrenheit.
Some reviewers said that the thermometer was off by a few degrees, but they liked that the pot maintained its temperature after the oil was heated up. An 18-pound turkey cooks in just one hour.
This fryer would be great for people who want to get a fast frying job done outdoors. While gunk can collect under the rolled rim, reviewers shared that the pot was thick and heavy-duty.
This set weighs less than 15 pounds and is perfect for those who don't need to feed a big group. The 24-quart pot can accommodate a 12-pound turkey. You get a steamer rack for steaming seafood and other food, too.
A few reviewers complained of the pot not holding up well. Some also said that the it was too short for frying turkeys, so if you have anything but a very small bird, plan on buying a bigger pot to use with the burner.
Still, many others said that the set works as advertised and was perfect for cooking seafood and poultry. Users added that it's easy to set up and use. They noted that the set worked for boiling, frying and steaming and achieved even heat distribution.
If you're cooking for 10 people or fewer, this electric turkey fryer is just the thing you need. With indicator lights, an adjustable thermometer, and an oil preheating element, this Presto fryer tries to make it as simple as possible to get that turkey ready in time for dinner.
This device was designed to use smaller amounts of oil but still give you crispy and perfectly cooked poultry. You also get a basket to deep fry some fries and other ingredients. A few users did complain that the fryer's durability might be an issue.
Meanwhile, many others said that when they fried their turkey, it came out moist and crisp. They also commented that the removable ceramic container made cleanup easy.
While the product description says you can easily fit a turkey up to 14 pounds in this Cuisinart appliance, many customers said they enjoyed using it for smaller portions or side dishes as well.
It includes a detailed instruction booklet that reviewers recommend you read thoroughly to get the most out of your product. They do note that since it's not dishwasher safe, though, cleanup can be a bit of a hassle.
If you're looking for a product that you can use for more than just your turkey, this is a good item to add to your shopping cart. Users have shared that it fries food well and was great at maintaining a particular temperature for consistent results.
This turkey fryer has all the bells and whistles, such as lifting hooks, steaming and frying baskets, and thermometer. You get a 29-quart aluminum stockpot that sits on a steel gas burner for you to hook up a propane tank.
The adjustable regulator and safety timer add security while you cook. Whether you're frying a turkey or steaming seafood, this set can give you your desired results. A few reviewers did complain, however, that the aluminum material was too thin and bent easily. Some also said the timer shuts the flame off too quickly.
Still, many others had no issues with the set and loved how easy it was to assemble everything and use. Despite the material being thin, they noted that it doesn't affect the outcome of the cooking or the flavor of the food. They shared that their turkey came out delicious. It's a simple fryer that does the job.
Hot oil can make things taste utterly delicious, but it's also extremely dangerous to work with. Whether this is your first deep-frying experience or you want a quick brush-up on safety measures, we've included this section to make your cooking journey as safe as possible.
We don't mean dry out the turkey meat itself; we mean the outside part and the inside cavity. Most people buy turkeys frozen, and when meat thaws, it releases moisture. This moisture could cause painful and messy oil splatters when you dip it into the fryer.
To prevent this from happening, we recommend thawing the turkey as much as possible before starting the frying process. You should also pat the outside of the turkey with a towel, and don't be shy about it. It will still turn out juicy in the end. Stand the turkey up on end and make sure the inside has been drained out. Pat the inside of the turkey out to get any remaining liquid.
It may feel a bit silly to get all geared up to cook a simple turkey, but we're going to go ahead and use the cliche phrase: better safe than sorry. The most exposed parts during cooking are most often your face and hands, so you'll want to protect those.
You should pick up a pair of heat-resistant and oil-resistant gloves, like ones designed specifically for frying or barbecuing. Goggles would also be a good investment since your vision could become severely impaired from oil burns. Don't skimp on protection!
You should have an abundant amount of open space around your fryer, regardless of whether you're frying indoors or outdoors. If you're outdoors in particular, the safest place is either on a wide patio or on the grass.
It would also be a good idea to have a fire extinguisher on hand since oil fires can't be put out with typical means like water.
Believe it or not, there's more to life than just turkey. Here are some other gadgets that will help you discover and enjoy a wide variety of food.
No. 1: Masterbuilt|Butterball Indoor Electric Turkey Fryer, XL|23011114
No. 2: Char-Broil|The Big Easy Oil-Less Turkey Fryer|17102065
No. 3: Bayou Classic|32-Quart Stainless Steel Turkey Fryer|1118
No. 4: GasOne|Propane Burner With Steamer Pot|B-5155
No. 5: Presto|Profry Electric Rotisserie Turkey Fryer|05487
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