The Best Turkey Fryers for Holiday Gatherings
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Char-Broil Oil-less Propane Fryer -
Butterball XL Electric fryer -
R&V Works Cajun Fryer -
Outdoor Gourmet 15-Liter Fryer -
Buyer's Guide
With the upcoming winter holidays approaching quickly, everyone will be looking for the most efficient (and delicious) way to prepare their turkey. Deep frying turkey is a unique idea to make a mouth-watering meal, plus it saves you time in the kitchen since a 12 pound bird can be cooked in about 45 minutes.
Many people find deep frying their turkey is superior over the traditional roasted method, since it makes the turkey crispy on the outside and super juicy on the inside. Always remember to put a well thawed bird into the fryer, because a frozen bird will cause a potential cataclysmic oil eruption that may cause a fire reaction if the oil bubbles over the side and contacts the burners.Turkey fryers come in both electric and gas models, so you'll have to choose the one that's right for your needs.
We’ve chosen the following best turkey fryers in 2022 on this list because they feature a non-stick interiors for easy turkey removal as well as convenient cleaning after you’re done using them. All of these fryers offers adjustable temperature settings for cooking your turkey to perfection as well as providing high BTU ratings to heat up the oil quicker and keep the temperature recovery at a minimum when the turkey is put inside. Additionally, each unit will come with a minimum one year, limited manufacturer’s limited warranty, unless otherwise noted.
Kits for Frying Your Turkey
Char-Broil Oil-less Propane Fryer - Best Turkey Fryer Overall
If cooking in oil doesn’t appeal to you but you still want the taste of fried turkey, check out Char-Broil's Oil-less Fryer. This monster uses infrared waves to fry the bird without ever touching any oil. Technically, this makes for a healthier turkey with less calories from the oil, yet it still seals in all of the natural juices as effectively as oil-frying.
This non-stick fryer allows you to cook up to a 16 pound bird with the 16,000 BTU burner keeping it hot and cooking the entire time. You'll cook turkey at about 10 minutes per pound which is about twice as long as actual frying yet one-third less time than roasting. Even though it’s a slower means of cooking, this hassle-free, oil-less fryer is a very safe alternative compared to traditional fryers, and that alone may be worth the cost of admission to many consumers.
Butterball XL Electric fryer - Runner Up
For those big 20 pound turkeys that you can fry on your counter top, take a look at the Butterball Indoor Gen III Electric Fryer Cooker Extra Large Capacity. This unit has a 1650 watt heating element to limit recovery time, cooking at four minutes per pound and features a temperature control and a digital timer to fine tune the cooking process. Indicator lights let you know the unit is heating up as well as when the oil is at the correct temperature.
The non-stick inner cooking tub is dishwasher safe while the inner drain plug lets you effectively drain the oil before you start the cleaning process. While this could have been at the top of our list, a drawback is that the power cord is short and protrudes from the side, making it a potential tripping hazard. Regardless, this is a solid and good looking unit that will reliably cook your holiday bird in a very short amount of time.
R&V Works Cajun Fryer - Honorable Mention
If price is no object and you want bragging rights, then the only option here is to get the Cajun Fryer 4 Gallon Deep Fryer. This bad boy will fry virtually any size turkey up to 30 pounds and you'll still have room left over.
This gas powered marvel moves on wheels and is powered by propane gas that supplies 90,000 BTU's of heat, making it immune to heat recovery issues so there’s no faster (or more effective) way to fry a turkey using this baby. It takes a full four gallons of oil to get this fryer up to speed and there’s also six and eight gallons models available if you need to feed an army. A thermometer is mounted at the front of the fryer so you can keep track of the oil temperature, to ensure it’s always at the perfect cooking temperature.
Obviously, this is overkill for all but the most dedicated turkey conoisseurs who have a huge family gathering, or those seeking to "one up" the next door neighbor. But if you want to flex your mojo and show everyone who owns the biggest and baddest turkey fryer on the block, there’s no equal to this selection.
Outdoor Gourmet 15-Liter Fryer - Also Consider
The Outdoor Gourmet 15 Liter Electric Deep Fryer is practical, precise, and small enough for use on your countertop. The burner offers 1750 watts of power which maximizes recovery time when you put your bird inside. Although this isn’t the largest turkey cooker on the list, you'll still be able to fry a 16 pound turkey which should be plenty of bird to go around for most households. The inner cooking pot is removable and made of dishwasher-safe aluminum for convenient cleanup.
This fryer also comes with a magnetic breakaway cord that will "give" if someone trips over it, eliminating the potential for splashes of hot oil. It comes with a full-sized glass cover, temp and timer control knobs, and there’s also an automatic shut off once the time has been reached. One of the least expensive turkey fryers on our list, this model still has thoughtful cooking features and safety considerations built in to qualify it as our top pick.
Buyer's Guide
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.
